1 John 2:8-11 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
In the fall of 2016, l I started a series in the book of 1 John speaking on the Apostle John detailing why he was writing to the brethren. Those articles can be found here: So That You May Not Sin and Tightrope Walking.
Later in chapter 2, the Apostle John says that he writes because the darkness is passing away and the truth is already shining.
The target of the Apostle John’s writing in 1 John is the saints of GOD. Just as in the beginning when darkness was on the face of the deep, it begins to pass away when GOD said, “Let there be light,” so is in the heart and life of a believer of JESUS, as JESUS is the true light (John 1:9). The Apostle goes into more detail about this in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. JESUS is said to possess life within HIM, and that light was the light of men (v.4). It is stated that the light shined in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it (v.5). Not only was JESUS the TRUE LIGHT, but HE, coming into this world, was able to give light to every man (v.9).
This light does shine within the believer of GOD through faith in CHRIST JESUS. The light is in JESUS, and any spiritual benefit received by man from GOD is located “in” CHRIST JESUS (Ephesians 1:3). So, like Moses’ face shined after going “in before the LORD to speak with HIM” so do believers obtain light from being in CHRIST JESUS, as the day has dawned and the morning star has risen in their hearts (2 Peter 1:19). The believer has been called out of the darkness and into GOD’s marvelous light (2 Peter 2:9). For the believer, the darkness is indeed passing away.
In a sense, the darkness is passing away for this world. Each day that passes in this dark and evil world, is a day closer to the TRUE LIGHT descending from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of GOD (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The TRUE LIGHT will return and expose all darkness. Because of the internet and worldwide broadcasting age, we are more privy to the darkness of this world (which is a culmination of the darkness in the individual hearts of man) than we have ever been. This gives the impression that the world is getting darker. I’m not sure if that is or is not the case, but I believe that a lot of what is going on has always been going on and it all has the same source: sin.
However, the time is ticking and the TRUE LIGHT will come like a thief in the night (this is not to say that HE will come at night, but suddenly and without warning like one surprised by a thief in the night). When the TRUE LIGHT comes, there will be a new heaven and a new earth where this is no need for a lamp, the sun, or the moon for “there will be no night there” (Revelation 21:23-25; 22:5). Yes, the darkness is passing away – the time is ticking on its presence and control.
I pray this encourages you. Grace and peace.
The Darkness Is Passing Away | I Write To You | @coachdpolite @trackstarz
1 John 2:8-11 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
In the fall of 2016, l I started a series in the book of 1 John speaking on the Apostle John detailing why he was writing to the brethren. Those articles can be found here: So That You May Not Sin and Tightrope Walking.
Later in chapter 2, the Apostle John says that he writes because the darkness is passing away and the truth is already shining.
The target of the Apostle John’s writing in 1 John is the saints of GOD. Just as in the beginning when darkness was on the face of the deep, it begins to pass away when GOD said, “Let there be light,” so is in the heart and life of a believer of JESUS, as JESUS is the true light (John 1:9). The Apostle goes into more detail about this in the first chapter of the Gospel of John. JESUS is said to possess life within HIM, and that light was the light of men (v.4). It is stated that the light shined in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it (v.5). Not only was JESUS the TRUE LIGHT, but HE, coming into this world, was able to give light to every man (v.9).
This light does shine within the believer of GOD through faith in CHRIST JESUS. The light is in JESUS, and any spiritual benefit received by man from GOD is located “in” CHRIST JESUS (Ephesians 1:3). So, like Moses’ face shined after going “in before the LORD to speak with HIM” so do believers obtain light from being in CHRIST JESUS, as the day has dawned and the morning star has risen in their hearts (2 Peter 1:19). The believer has been called out of the darkness and into GOD’s marvelous light (2 Peter 2:9). For the believer, the darkness is indeed passing away.
In a sense, the darkness is passing away for this world. Each day that passes in this dark and evil world, is a day closer to the TRUE LIGHT descending from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of GOD (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The TRUE LIGHT will return and expose all darkness. Because of the internet and worldwide broadcasting age, we are more privy to the darkness of this world (which is a culmination of the darkness in the individual hearts of man) than we have ever been. This gives the impression that the world is getting darker. I’m not sure if that is or is not the case, but I believe that a lot of what is going on has always been going on and it all has the same source: sin.
However, the time is ticking and the TRUE LIGHT will come like a thief in the night (this is not to say that HE will come at night, but suddenly and without warning like one surprised by a thief in the night). When the TRUE LIGHT comes, there will be a new heaven and a new earth where this is no need for a lamp, the sun, or the moon for “there will be no night there” (Revelation 21:23-25; 22:5). Yes, the darkness is passing away – the time is ticking on its presence and control.
I pray this encourages you. Grace and peace.
Sean David Grant