A while ago, the city of New York and surrounding areas were plunged into darkness due to an unexpected power cut. There was widespread panic as people wondered what had happened. Human imagination took over as all sorts of possible reasons were considered from the simple to the sublime. It did show how much men really fear literal darkness.
The Bible has much to say about darkness. The first mention is in the first chapter of Genesis and the last reference is in Revelation chapter 16.10. Thus the subject goes from the beginning to the end of the Holy Scriptures.
It describes the character of God in relation to His Holiness, 1 John 1.5, “… God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” This is in distinction to us, John 3.19, “… men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Thus we learn that mankind and God are diametrically opposed. Just as light and darkness cannot coexist, so God and sinful mankind cannot coexist. Man cannot dwell with God as long as his sins are unforgiven.
What keeps us in this situation? There is another power outside of ourselves, which holds us in the dark. Speaking about Satanic powers, the apostle Paul states, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6.12. Thus the wicked forces of hell desire to keep us in the dark. Why? So that we will share their eternal damnation. This is described by Peter, “God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment,” 2 Peter 2.4. To such a place all unrepentant souls will go, if they die without having accepted God’s provision of salvation in His Son. Matthew 22.13, “… Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
The Bible speaks of people who have been delivered from this darkness. Colossians 1.13, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” How can such a change take place? Can God just decide to change the eternal destiny of people without regard to His character? The answer is a resounding, “No!” All must be done righteously and in accordance with His character. In order that such a change can take place, God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world to go into dreadful darkness that we may never experience this darkness and enjoy the light of His presence both now and for all eternity. At 9.00 a.m. (the third hour in Jewish time) they crucified the Saviour and we read, “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Matthew 27.45,46. In those dread hours He suffered what should have been our portion and thus answered God’s claims and because of this we who accept Him as our personal Saviour can go free.
“Because the Sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is
counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied to look on Him and pardon
me.”
The tremendous power of this message is taught in Acts 26.18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.”