Light: Glory of Christ
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The concept of "light" in the Bible is rich with theological significance, often symbolizing purity, truth, and divine revelation. In the context of the glory of Christ, light serves as a profound metaphor for His divine nature, His role as the Savior, and His revelation to humanity.

Divine Nature and Revelation

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the "true Light" that gives light to every man (John 1:9). This passage underscores the preexistence and divinity of Christ, affirming that He is the source of spiritual illumination and truth. The light of Christ is not merely physical but spiritual, revealing the nature of God to a world shrouded in darkness.

In John 8:12, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life" . This statement highlights Christ's role as the guiding light for humanity, offering salvation and eternal life to those who believe in Him. The light of Christ dispels the darkness of sin and ignorance, leading believers into a relationship with God.

Transfiguration and Glory

The transfiguration of Jesus is a pivotal event that vividly illustrates His glory through light. In Matthew 17:2, it is recorded that Jesus' face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. This momentary unveiling of His divine glory provided a glimpse of His heavenly majesty and affirmed His identity as the Son of God. The light at the transfiguration symbolizes the purity and holiness inherent in Christ's nature.

Light in Prophecy and Fulfillment

The prophetic literature of the Old Testament often associates the coming Messiah with light. Isaiah 9:2 proclaims, "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned" . This prophecy finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who brings hope and redemption to a fallen world.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). This passage emphasizes that the light of Christ is not only a revelation of God's glory but also a transformative power that renews the hearts and minds of believers.

Eternal Light

The Book of Revelation provides a vision of the eternal glory of Christ, where light plays a central role. Revelation 21:23 describes the New Jerusalem, stating, "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp" . In this eschatological vision, the glory of Christ as the Lamb of God is the ultimate source of light, illuminating the eternal dwelling place of God with His people.

Practical Implications for Believers

Believers are called to reflect the light of Christ in their lives. Jesus instructs His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14). This call to be light bearers emphasizes the responsibility of Christians to live in a manner that reflects the character and teachings of Christ, thereby drawing others to Him.

The light of Christ, as the glory of God, is a central theme in Scripture, revealing His divine nature, His redemptive work, and His eternal reign. Through His light, believers are called to walk in truth, holiness, and love, bearing witness to the transformative power of the gospel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Acts 9:3,5
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 26:13
At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

What is the Communion in Glory with Christ, which the Members of ...
... where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption
of their bodies, which even in death continue united to Christ, and rest ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 86 0 0 what is the.htm

Baxter -- Making Light of Christ and Salvation
... Him the waters of life"; had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of
Glory. So, had you known what Christ is, you would not have made light of Him ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/baxter making light of.htm

John's Introduction.
... light.9 There was the true light [as opposed to the imperfect, incomplete, and
transitory lights], even the light which lighteth ... The glory of Christ was not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ii johns introduction.htm

Edwards -- Spiritual Light
... of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by ... This
light, and this only, will bring the soul to a saving close with Christ. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/edwards spiritual light.htm

Jowett -- Apostolic Optimism
... he is portraying the ideal relationship of husband and wife, he sets it in the light
of redemptive glory: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/jowett apostolic optimism.htm

Prayer and Trouble (Continued)
... "For our light affliction, which is but for a ... "But the God of all grace, who hath
called us into his eternal glory, by Christ Jesus, after that ye have ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/vi prayer and trouble continued.htm

Christ --Perfect through Sufferings
... will glorify God at the last, that Christ, the man ... man the transient crown of his
Eden-glory; man wears ... of Godhead, and that man crowned with light and glory ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christperfect through sufferings.htm

Pray to Thy Father which is in Secret or Alone with God.
... and dark all is: it is the Father's loving heart will give light and warmth ... that
your God will supply it according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ...
/.../murray/lord teach us to pray/pray to thy father which.htm

The Crowned Christ Reigning
... to take the message of a crucified risen Christ to all ... the moon, to shine on it;
for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." And ...
/.../vii the crowned christ reigning.htm

The Christ Crowned, the Fact
... that thin line of light seen now only by watching eyes shall become a burst of glory
light seen by all eyes. And this is the thing the crowned Christ is asking ...
/.../i the christ crowned the fact.htm

Resources
How can the light of stars billions of light years away from the earth have reached us if the earth is only thousands of years old? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that believers are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)? | GotQuestions.org

Why does the Bible describe the moon as a light? | GotQuestions.org

Light: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Light

Light: Agreeable

Light: Bright

Light: Christ the Source of all Wisdom

Light: Communicated to the Body Through the Eye

Light: Created

Light: Created by God

Light: Diffusive

Light: Divided Into: Artificial

Light: Divided Into: Extraordinary or Miraculous

Light: Divided Into: Natural

Light: Favour of God

Light: Figurative and Symbolical

Light: Future Glory of Saints

Light: Glory of Christ

Light: Glory of God

Light: God the Only Source of

Light: Gospel

Light: Guidance of God

Light: Manifesting Objects

Light: Ministers

Light: Miraculous

Light: Purity of Christ

Light: Purity of God

Light: Saints

Light: Separated from Darkness

Light: Shining

Light: Sun, Moon, and Stars Appointed to Communicate to the Earth

Light: The Glory of the Church

Light: The Path of the Just

Light: The Soul of Man

Light: The Theory of, Beyond Man's Comprehension

Light: Useful and Precious

Light: Whatever Makes Manifest

Light: White and Pure

Light: Wisdom of God

Light: Wise Rulers

Light: Word of God

Related Terms

Light-support (4 Occurrences)

Light-armed (1 Occurrence)

Light-supports (1 Occurrence)

Shines (15 Occurrences)

Candle (16 Occurrences)

Shone (27 Occurrences)

Shineth (13 Occurrences)

Brightness (36 Occurrences)

Shades (29 Occurrences)

Shined (9 Occurrences)

Shine (62 Occurrences)

Brighter (6 Occurrences)

Concealed (36 Occurrences)

Shade (67 Occurrences)

Bindeth (25 Occurrences)

Binds (14 Occurrences)

Sun (1708 Occurrences)

Sunlight (5 Occurrences)

Candlestick (34 Occurrences)

Shining (115 Occurrences)

Bruise (19 Occurrences)

Blaze (9 Occurrences)

Bushel (6 Occurrences)

Bruises (5 Occurrences)

Chaff (24 Occurrences)

Arch (24 Occurrences)

Snuffed (8 Occurrences)

Slight (13 Occurrences)

Sevenfold (10 Occurrences)

Seven-fold (6 Occurrences)

Binding (23 Occurrences)

Bright (85 Occurrences)

Area (66 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Stroke (26 Occurrences)

Secret (341 Occurrences)

Stars (64 Occurrences)

Shed (73 Occurrences)

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)

Plainly (25 Occurrences)

Brilliant (5 Occurrences)

Beam (17 Occurrences)

Cleanseth (8 Occurrences)

Accessories (8 Occurrences)

Arisen (24 Occurrences)

Coloured (21 Occurrences)

Sunshine (4 Occurrences)

Surpassing (21 Occurrences)

Shadow (72 Occurrences)

Countenance (67 Occurrences)

Spices (64 Occurrences)

Completely (213 Occurrences)

Single (65 Occurrences)

Covers (50 Occurrences)

Clear (641 Occurrences)

Black (52 Occurrences)

Astronomy

Shown (131 Occurrences)

Vessels (210 Occurrences)

Covereth (61 Occurrences)

Breach (55 Occurrences)

Clouds (99 Occurrences)

Support (135 Occurrences)

Burden (111 Occurrences)

Close (186 Occurrences)

Sets (80 Occurrences)

Spake (704 Occurrences)

Ahaz (42 Occurrences)

Stumble (89 Occurrences)

Sitting (201 Occurrences)

Burning (415 Occurrences)

Secretly (104 Occurrences)

Pitch (25 Occurrences)

Armor (53 Occurrences)

Sky (278 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Sweet (147 Occurrences)

Quality (14 Occurrences)

Quieting (4 Occurrences)

Light: Future Glory of Saints
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