An astronaut on a recent shuttle mission made an interesting observation. She said, "Stars are much like people. They are born, they live and they die. "When a star dies and ceases to emit light, it is almost as if the star was blotted out. This thought might bring to mind the second death which faces Satan and those that choose to follow him, when they are blotted out at the end of the millennium. They will never be seen, heard from, or brought to mind again. To avoid being blotted out we should learn to be part of an eternal light.
There is only one light that is eternal. That light is our Father and His Son. In most cases, the word "light" in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word "phos". It is interesting to note the Greek word "phosphoros" which is derived from 'phos' means the morning star. Of course, the true morning star is Jesus Christ.
Are you a child of light? Are you a star, or a child of the Living God? What is a star supposes to do? Shine and give off light. They don’t absorb light as the moon. You have a portion of Christ's light in you. Use that light to help others that have lost their way. Use that light to bring hope to those that live in darkness. Light is life. Light is salvation. Let's learn more about light and the stars from God's Word.
II Peter 1:13-14 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Many of the great teachers of the New Testament often brought those they were teaching to remembrance. Biblically, they were saying, "You already know these things. Let me remind you". Peter knew he would soon be leaving the tabernacle of his flesh body and wanted to remind the elect of the dispersion of a basic truth.
II Peter 1:15-16 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
Peter, James and John had witnessed the transfiguration of Christ described for us in:
Matt. 17:2. "His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light."
II Peter 1:17-18 For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.
Peter heard the voice of God on the mount of transfiguration.
II Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Peter was speaking of two events. He was speaking of the second coming of Christ, or anytime someone recognizes the light and is drawn to Christ.
II Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation, For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
I prefer to translate "Holy Ghost" as "Holy Spirit". The scriptures was not written by man. The Bible was written by men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Let's go back to the beginning to learn more about the light.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
"Word" is translated from the Greek "logos" and means the Living Word which is Jesus Christ. Christ was with God from the beginning.
John 1:2-3 The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
You are a child of God. He made your very soul. Do you want to live?
John 1:4-5 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
The light is the "phos" we discussed earlier. A light that darkness is unable to comprehend. When you walk into a room full of long faces, let the light in your eyes shine. Be a star of God. Those in darkness will feel the goodness even though they don't understand how you can be in such a good mood. Perhaps they will ask and give you the opportunity to plant a seed.
John 1:6-7 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
St. John is speaking of John the Baptist.
John 1:8-9 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, Which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
There is no other light. There is no other way to salvation. There is no other way to live in the flesh with true peace of mind.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not.
Think about this; imagine yourself building a tremendous house. Imagine your children taking over your house and then acting as if they don't even know you. That is how God feels. He created everything and most of His children ignore Him and His Word. Take time to tell Father you love Him and appreciate the light He has given you. Christ is in you and Christ is the Light. Let's turn to the Old Testament.
Numbers 24:17 I shall see Him, but not now. I shall behold Him but not nigh. There shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Sceptre shall rise out of Isreal, And shall smite the corners of Moab, And destroy all the children of Sheth.
The word "Sheth" or Seth, is a poor translation. God would not destroy His own children. This word should be translated "confusion". In this verse we see the prophesy of the Star that would rise to be King out of Isreal.
Numbers 24:18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also also shall be a possession for his enemies; And Isreal shall do valiantly.
Edom is Russia. Seir is Esau's place where many Kenites lived. If you have the Star, you will do valiantly.
Numbers 24:19-20 Out of Jacob shall come He that shall have dominion, And shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. And when he looked on Amelek, he took up his parable and said, "Amelek was the first of the nations, But his latter end shall be that he perish for ever."
Amalek was a son of Esau. When the Star returns, there will be only one nation with one King. All other nations will perish forever.
Numbers 24:21-22 And he looked on the Kenites and took up his parable, and said "Strong is thy dwelling place, And thou puttest thy nest in a rock. Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted. Until Assur shall carry thee away captive."
Asshur is the Assyrian which is a type of antichrist. The Kenites have a stronghold and will continue to be strong, until when? Until the antichrist has had his rule. Then the Kenites that follow Satan will be wasted; however everyone has a choice including the Kenites. You may follow the Light and have everlasting life, or you may follow darkness and be blotted out forever.We could go on and on concerning this subject.
In Chapters 3, 5, 8, 9, 11 and 12 of the Book of St. John Christ told us over and over, "I am the light of this world". The light is the Word. The light is the truth. It's your choice. You may live in darkness or in the light. Let's go to the last chapter in the Bible.
Revelation 22:4 And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.
That is quite a promise. His name, which is the Word, will be in your minds.
Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no light there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the LORD God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever.
The light that God giveth them is from the Greek word "photizo". This word is easily recognizable as the English word "photo". Have you ever heard someone having a photographic mind? Perhaps this is the reason no one will have to ask his neighbor, "Do you know the Lord"? when He returns.
Let's think about this word "photizo" a little more. What must you have to take a photograph? Light! Just as a film exposed to light imprints as image on the negative, the light God giveth us imprints His Word in our minds. Isn't His Word beautiful? The light He gives His children that follow Him will allow them to permanently see and understand. We are speaking futuristically, of course. I have studied God's Word for more than forty years. Bible scholars and deep students realize there is so little we really understand in comparison to God's knowledge. My point is don't ever begin to think you know it all. We all need His light. When you receive His light, be a star for Him. Let your light shine in this dark world.
In His Service,
Arnold Murray