Overcoming Darkness
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Key Verse: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Selected Scripture: |
IN THE KEY VERSE OF THIS lesson, Christ employs ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ as metaphors for life and death. Metaphorically speaking, the world lies in abject darkness. Into this darkness, Christ Jesus was sent to bear witness that there is a way that leads to the light. Unguided, the world would never find the way. The Lord declares that he is both the way and the guide, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” (John 14:6; 12:44-46) Having come from the light, only the Lord Jesus knows the way to it—“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (I John 1:5) Speaking to the Pharisees who had proven themselves to be blind guides, the Lord said, “I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.”—John 8:14, The Amplified Bible
During the present Gospel Age, those who desire to tread the path that leads to the light must believe the words of God as Christ himself believed them. The Lord will thereafter illuminate every footstep of those who follow him. Those who believe that Christ’s words are the words of God, and commit to all that is implied by that belief, pass from death in Adam to life in Christ. “I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”—John 5:24
Though it seems paradoxical to the world, the members of this class obtain mercy in this age because they believe Jesus when he tells them he will lead them to life everlasting if they would follow him even unto death. The wisdom that supports that requirement is explained by the Apostle Paul, “He that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:7-11) For the followers of Christ during the present Gospel Age, the darkness of death is overcome by dying in Christ, nothing doubting that the resurrection he promises he will fulfill.—I John 5:4,5; Rev. 3:21
In due time, Christ Jesus and his church will assist the remainder of mankind during the Millennial Age to overcome the darkness of death that they may also live on earth in the light of Almighty God. Ignorance, superstition, and deception will be ended, for Satan will be bound for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:1,2) Upon Satan’s final destruction, the world will join the church in proclaiming a truth that will then be common to both, “We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”—I John 5:20