Overview

Many have questioned the validity of the Bible based on the argument that God proclaims the introduction of ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ into the world in Genesis 1:3; however, the Sun, the Moon, and the stars of the night sky are not called into being until Day 4 (Gen. 1:14-19). While this may appear to be a secular ‘scientific’ mystery, a simple examination of the Bible reveals that the explanation leaps off the pages of the Scriptures as plainly as the Sun, Moon, and stars shine in our skies today.

Light Enters Creation

In Genesis 1:3 God proclaims, “Let there be light”. After dividing the light from the darkness we find that it is only the ‘light’ (Gen. 1:1) that He calls ‘good’. Meanwhile, the ‘darkness’ (Heb. ‘kho-sek’=‘obscurity’)—fits into the context of this passage because no physical source of light has as of yet been created in the universe.

This ‘division’ is a foreshadowing (prophetic) of the physical light and darkness yet to be created. Furthermore, they will become a ‘type’ of the two spiritual states of mankind throughout history—‘light’ in Christ (Salvation) and ‘darkness’ (lost state) apart from Christ.

“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”. – 1 Pet. 2:9

God IS Light

In 1 John 1:5 the beloved Apostle tells us that ‘God is Light,’ and that in Him there is ‘no darkness at all.’ Through God all things are made manifest (i.e. ‘brought to light’). According to Scripture these things are physical, intellectual, and spiritual in nature. As we shall soon see, God Himself is physical light by His very nature. This is even revealed in the Old Testament by some who have stood in the Presence of His Glory.

Among those affected by standing in the Presence of God is Moses. Exodus 33:11 explains that Moses spoke “face to face” with the Lord, and afterward his face ‘shone’ (glowed—Exodus 34:29-33). This made the people afraid and Moses had to put a veil over his face while speaking to them.

“And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face”. – Ex. 34:33

This ‘light’ as well ‘reveals’ all things such that nothing is hidden from God. We learn this from such passages as:

• Psalm 19:6—It penetrates as the ‘heat’ (of the Sun).
• Isaiah 42:6—It brings understanding to the lost of the world.
• John 3:18-21—The ‘deeds’ of mankind individually are revealed.

Jesus IS God

The Gospel According to John opens by revealing that the Creator God of Genesis Chapter 1 is none other than Christ Jesus Himself (John 1:1-3). Here God Himself is named as the Source of all things as well as the Creator of all things. Together with the first Chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Church at Colosse this passage establishes that He [Jesus] has created all things for His pleasure and His purpose according to His own will.

Colossians further establishes Jesus as the Creator at the beginning and the One who even now holds all things together in proper form & order (Col. 1:16-17).

“For by him were all things created… all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” – Colossians 1:16-17

The facts that Jesus is not only the Creator of all things from the beginning, God come in the flesh to dwell among mankind (Isaiah 9:6; Mt. 1:23), and that He even now acts to hold all things in their present form demonstrates that He is a very personal Lord and God. It is His desire to bring His ‘light’ into a world darkened by sin and lacking knowledge of Him (Isaiah 49:6; see also Acts 13:47; 26:23).

Jesus is Life AND Light

Continuing a couple more verses into John’s Gospel account we read:

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”—John 1:4-5

The above passage equates the ‘light’ in Jesus with ‘life’. Just as with Him there is ‘light’ and ‘life’, without Him neither can exist. This is true of the ‘light’ of our physical life as well as the ‘light’ of ‘eternal life’ through salvation in Christ Jesus.

Light = Eternal Life = Jesus (John 3:16-21)

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‘Light’ also ‘reveals’ all things—both physical and spiritual. Those who chose to live in ‘darkness’ hide from the light so that their deeds may also be hidden. However, those who love the Lord and who have been drawn ‘out of darkness’ in to ‘His marvelous light’ (1 Pet. 2:9), seek His light that their deeds may shine.

The Lamb is the Light of the New Jerusalem

The passage that brings this entire discussion ‘full-circle’ is the latter ‘bookend’ passage found in Revelation 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.”

As it was at Creation, both spiritually and physically, so it shall be throughout Eternity. This is made clear by the phrase “no need of the sun.” The Lamb (Christ Jesus) who is Lord and Creator is the source of all ‘light.’ His physical presence both at Creation and in the New Jerusalem makes any other light source unnecessary; for, in both instances it is the Glory of God that illuminates.

Genesis 1:3 and Revelation 21:23 are the ‘bookends of light’ by which the Scriptures are bound.

Conclusion

Jesus is the Creator—the same One who not only was ‘with’ God, but who was (and is) God Himself at Creation. He embodies the Glory of God for He is the Great I AM (John 8:58), the same as He who spoke with Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). When God spoke the words “Let there be light” in Genesis 1:3, it was the voice of Jesus that was heard by the new Creation. When the light shone forth at His command it was the light of the Preincarnate Lamb who had been ‘slain before the foundation of the world’ (Revelation 13:8) that poured out.

In Christ’s Love,

Jack B.

Note: Bible passages in single quotes (‘) have been modified from the KJV for emphasis or ease of reading only (such as capitalization of pronouns referring to God, bolded text, or modernized punctuation, etc.) without altering the actual wording of the text.

Disclaimer: While to the author’s knowledge all of the information cited in the referenced material related directly to the content of this article is correct and accurate, the author in no way endorses any of the cited references in their entirety – especially where the material contained therein is in direct contradiction with the Creation account given in the Word of God.

References

(1) New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, King James Version. James Strong, LLD., S.T.D. Nelson. ©2005.

(2) Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words. W.E. Vine. Nelson. ©1996.