Sunday Devotional
Day 4 : “…and night will be no more.”
READ: Revelation 22 (emphasis verses 3-6)
Before there was light God was. Long after all the light that currently fills our eyes and speeds to the end of the cosmos is gone, God will still be. We understand this by faith; that the universe was created by Jesus, the Word of God, and what we see with our eyes was made by what we don’t see. (Hebrews 11:3 paraphrased).
Light is a created thing. In Genesis 1 God said, “let there be light” and there was. Light is the way that we understand the passing of time; days by the sun; months by the stars. Through light we gaze at the night sky, measure distance, and try to understand the universe and where it came from. Almost all of the information scientist obtain about the universe comes through light. But light like all the heavens and the earth will one day pass away. (Matthew 24:35)
So what does it mean when in Revelation 22 when it says,
“They will see his face,… 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”
Someday the light of our sun will go out. The whole universe will one day fall into ruin, and in its course, die as it runs out of solar thermonuclear energy. But Jesus reigns forever! His very face will be light to his people. They will not need a sun or a flashlight. People will not need to hide in the dark or wait for sunrise to bring promise of enjoyment. Jesus will be his people’s light and the pleasure to their eyes.
“and night will be no more.”
What can be said about the night?
Just as God once separated the light from the darkness and called the light day and called the darkness night (Genesis 1:4-5), so He will again separate His kingdom of light and all who love the light from the nights of darkness and all who love the darkness.
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8)
But to all who have trusted Jesus and submitted to his kingly rule, they will dwell with him in his kingdom. A city on a hill, full of light and glory!
“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb (Jesus). By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day-and there will be no night there.” (Rev. 21:23-25)
Reflection Questions:
What is the role of faith in understanding the universe? How does what is seen speak to us about what is unseen?
Read Psalm 19 What specifically can light, darkness, sun and stars tells us about God?
How does Jesus’ reigning for eternity connect with the idea of light?
2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Explain the relationship between making light and understanding the gospel of Jesus.
How is Jesus central in the creation of light, understanding the gospel, and making a new city that’s full of light?