Living in the Light of the Lamb

The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.

Revelation 21:23

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the day when I will get to soak in the warm rays of God’s glory in the new Heavens and Earth, able to behold Him face to face. How glorious that will be. God’s dwelling place will be with man for all eternity, where He’ll make all things new. There will be no more pain, sickness, depression, abuse, war, hunger, or death. No more sin! Only the warmth and pure light of our God with us, and no more shadows because of the Lamb.

While living life on planet Earth, the sun is absolutely central to our existence. We recognize that all life on Earth is tied to the fiery orb at the center of our solar system and know that without it, life would cease to exist. We are so dependent on it that simply not soaking up enough of its rays can cause vitamin D deficiency and a myriad of health issues. Scientists are still discovering the ways that our well-being is connected to the sun. Our earthly dependence on the sun is a tangible reminder to us of an even greater dependence we have on The Light of the World.

The sun is greater than our minds can fathom. How much more so its Creator.

The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun. (Psalm 74:16)

God is not just the creator of light, but all things, as the Psalmist so beautifully reminds us.

You cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. (Psalm 104:2)

Similar to our dependence on the sun, our very existence from moment to moment is tied to this great God whose clothing is poetically described as light. How powerful indeed is this God, for who creating and sustaining the universe is like opening a curtain.

Any light in us comes from the Source of true light, in the knowledge of the Son.

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)

We are completely dependent on Christ here and for all eternity.

For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. ( Psalm 36:9)

Our spiritual life flows from the fountain of Christ, and if we drink from Him in salvation, wells of living water flow from our hearts. It’s only in Christ that our spiritual blinders are removed, and in His light we can see light. It’s the Light of the World who gives us light, allows us to see aright, and makes us light and salt in a broken world.

Yet, while God’s light has broken through in Christ Jesus, we live in a land full of shadows because of the brokenness brought into the world by sin. Satan parades and pretends to be of the light (2 Co. 11:14), deceiving the world. Sin has affected everything. Even creation groans under the darkness and subjection of the curse. We are also shadowed, still plagued by a sin nature, and like the apostle Paul, long for the day when sin will be evicted from our bodies.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

Like Isaiah and others in the OT who longed for the coming of the Messiah and the light He would bring, we too long for the light of Christ’s second coming. Like Job, we know that God “uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light.” Nothing done in secret will remain secret in the light of His coming. The righteous judge of the earth will make all things right in the light of His presence.

No longer will the kingdoms of this world be able to deceive.

The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. (Revelation 18:23)

Babylon, which represents the dark kingdoms of this fallen word, will no longer have a lamp when Christ rules in the new Heavens and Earth. Because

the Lamb is its light and the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light... (Revelation 21:23b-24a)

Very soon, faith will become sight as the full light of God’s glory breaks through at Christ’s return, emanating into every crevice and every dark corner. Satan, sin, and death will be defeated. What a glorious day that will be, when the pure, holy light of God’s presence will shine unveiled. Shortly, what the apostle John only beheld in a prophetic vision, will become sight.

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4)

Upon Christ’s return, we will worship, run, fellowship, rest, laugh, and sing in the beams of His light.

Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). (Revelation 22:5)

We will be safe with our God in His presence, and the darkness of sin that once took the world captive will be forever banished.

I long for that incredible day! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.