“called you out of darkness …” (1 Pet. 2:9, NKJV)
As sub-theme to the extended sixteenth characteristic of the spirit of Zerubbabel’s working in the Body of Christ, we spent the last couple of teachings talking about the so-called ‘thousand year reign of peace’. We pointed out that the term is based on faulty assumptions and exegesis of Scripture, and does not refer to a physical period of one thousand years, but rather to a symbolic period of rest.
The only way in which man, delivered unto darkness, can find REST in this realm of the dead we call earth, is if he ascends from this bottomless pit.
Think about this for a moment – humanity is “called … out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). In various instances in the Scripture this condition is stated in these absolute terms, and it characterises a forceful moving away from darkness, to the light:
- “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.” (Isa. 9:2)
- “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isa. 60:1-3)
- “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” (Matt. 4:16)
- “… with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78b-79)
- “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light … And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph. 5:8 & 11)
- “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love …” (Col. 1:13)
- “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thess. 5:4-8).
- Selah: Have you moved from the darkness to the light? Do you walk in the light (Eph. 5:8)?
- Read: 2 Sam. 8-10.
- Memorise: 2 Sam. 8:15.
