And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. Revelation 21:23
When God created the world, Genesis 2 tells us that “God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars" (verse 16). To this day, the sun shines during the day to provide light for us, and the moon shines in the evening to bring a much smaller amount of light while we are sleeping. Things will not always be that way for followers of Christ, however. Scripture teaches that the new Jerusalem that God will provide for His people to live in will not need the sun or moon, because God Himself will be the source of light.
This week, we are examining John's description of the new Heaven and new Earth, where God will dwell among His people when Jesus returns, as described in Revelation 21. As he described his vision of the new Heaven and new Earth, he wrote, “The city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light” (verse 23). What a remarkable truth! Heaven will have no sun or moon. God's glory will be all the light that is needed. The darkness of this world will no longer exist. The fear that comes from darkness will not exist anymore. There will be safety and security as we live in the light of Christ.
Of course, our world today is full of all kinds of darkness. As followers of Christ, our calling today is to spread His light to everyone around us. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 5, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house” (verse 15). Then, Jesus got to the heart of His message, saying, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (verse 16). We are the lights of the world, my friend. Let your light for Christ shine in such a way that everyone around you is pointed to Christ.
Until Christ returns, we have the privilege of spreading the light of Christ in this world that is full of darkness. How can you spread Christ's light today? Perhaps you could invite someone to church with you this weekend, sign up to serve at Sagebrush, help a neighbor who is going through a difficult time, or something else. Whatever you decide, take a step today to spread the light of Christ this week. Remember, only a small amount of darkness is needed to break through the darkness.
Matthew 5:1-16
1One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
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