“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:25–36
And Then There Was Light
Darkness seems invincible, stalking humanity even during the sunlit day, sowing chaos, spreading division, feasting on the pain of broken lives, abandoned dreams, and weary hearts.
Roaring like a hungry lion, darkness doesn’t want humanity to know that it lives in fear. It’s terrified that humanity will fully embrace the love of God, stand up to its bullying and find supernatural strength in the truth that since the beginning of beginnings darkness has been God’s servant.
Darkness has had no choice but to obey God, because it was in darkness where God, resting comfortably with all His power and majesty, subdued darkness with the pure light of his holiness and glory. And then, choosing to manifest His love in a new and expansive way, God created and said, “Let there be light.”
Darkness was restricted to portions of the day, but, still rebellious and seeking to harm the creation that God loved most, it unleashed spiritual death and misery into the world. Unimpressed and undeterred, God sent humanity the gift of his beloved Son who “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:1–5).
In this time of Advent, it is well to remember that although darkness still labors toward victory it’s been defeated by Jesus, the Christ. Those who know Him as Lord and Savior need not ever fear because the victory over darkness has been forever won.
Dr. Fred L. Johnson III is an associate professor of history.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.