GREAT LIGHT

For those who lie awake, night is a long time in passing. For those who endure tribulation, their night of sorrow seems to be endless; no gleaming of sunrise breaks the gloom and no horizon is lightened. For Israel, before He comes, conditions will be as dark as they ever have been and prospects of glory will seem to be a far off dream. Who can possibly bring light to the darkness, peace to the heart and joy to the soul?

The faithful remnant know the answer and have been watching for His coming, waiting for the light to dawn. What joy and worship will fill their hearts when the Sun of Righteousness arises and spreads the warmth of His light throughout the land. The way of the sea, the western shore of Galilee will feel it; beyond Jordan, the eastern lands on the other side of the river will enjoy the rays, and Galilee of the nations, the most northern parts, will be flooded with this great light. All these have felt the force of Gentile subjection and corruption and to them first He spreads the glorious light of His presence. The places which endured humiliation will be visited with the glory of this light.

But had there not been a glorious foretaste of this? Were these not the areas visited by the Lord Jesus while He was here, Matt. 4.14-16? They saw the miracles, signs and wonders that came from His hands. They heard His teaching and they watched His walk. Yet still He was the rejected Christ.

Today when He comes into our lives in salvation we see the same light of His presence, the same joy when the darkness which wrapped our souls is dispelled as the great light bursts on us.

After the church has been raptured to heaven, there will be a time of tribulation which will be terminated by His return. How the world needs that glorious day and how devoted souls will long for and pray for this. What a world it will be when His light breaks through the gloom and when its warmth and brightness dispels all darkness. There will be no rejection of Him then, no refusal of Him at that time. He comes to reign and all who long for that day will declare, ‘Thy kingdom come’.