Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Theme · narrative

Light and Darkness

God's first creative act is to speak light into existence and separate it from darkness. The pillar of fire guides Israel through the night. The Psalms declare that the LORD is the psalmist's light and salvation. Isaiah promises that those who walk in darkness will see a great light, and a child will be born to bring it. John's Gospel builds on this: Jesus is the light of the world, and those who follow him will not walk in darkness. Paul tells believers they are children of light, and John's first epistle makes it an ethical test: 'God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.'

Passages expressing this theme

  • 1Pet 2:9 — But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
  • 1Thess 5:5 — Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
  • 2Cor 4:6 — For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
  • Acts 26:18 — To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith t
  • Col 1:13 — Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
  • Eph 5:8 — For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
  • Exod 10:23 — They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
  • Gen 1:3 — And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
  • Gen 1:4 — And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Isa 9:2 — The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
  • Isa 42:6 — I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
  • Isa 60:1 — Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
  • Matt 4:16 — The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Matt 5:14 — Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
  • Matt 5:16 — Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  • Prov 4:18 — But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
  • Ps 18:28 — For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
  • Ps 27:1 — The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
  • Ps 36:9 — For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
  • Ps 104:2 — Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
  • Ps 112:4 — Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
  • Ps 119:105 — Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
  • Ps 119:130 — The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
  • Rev 21:23 — And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
  • Rev 22:5 — And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.