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Writer's pictureTrey Harper

Darkness

“And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22.5). John writes of the companionship of God and the Church in eternity early in Revelation 22. One of the qualities of this unending union is an abolition of night. Night is the name God gives darkness in Genesis 1.5. From that time on darkness is a separation from God.

Of course, 1 John 1 speaks about God being light and “in Him is no darkness at all”, but it is more than that. Evaluate Joshua 24.7: “And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time”.

Now I want to scour scripture for signs of shade! What pops into my mind is that Jesus was captured at night. The darkness separating honest innocence from evil intent. But more than that. Matthew (27.45), Mark (15.33) and Luke (23.44) all record a nearly identical record: “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.” Why? I’m not bold enough to declare and affirm a solid answer. However, I wonder if it had anything to do with the separation they are showing between themselves and God?

This is the point of the sermon in Acts 2. This Jesus YOU CRUCIFIED… and when they realize they have killed their God they ask what to do. The scripture says they were “cut to the heart”. Perhaps because they felt the stinging presence of absence inside. The answer given by Peter is quotable by many, “Repent and be baptized…” But, look at the reason why they are instructed to be immersed: “…for the forgiveness of you sins…”

Sin is separation from God (Isaiah 59.2). These folks are told of a love that shines through hate and can pierce the darkest of souls- God will save. Honestly, they are separated from God in their sin. But through Jesus He will forgive. And this forgiveness is required, because there is no darkness; separation; sin in Heaven.

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