Light 2!

Light 2!

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2 KJV

Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah. Here was a prophet who has to minister to the land of Israel at a time of great iniquity and rebellion against God. God had said He was going to punish His own people for their sin, and even the nations He had used to afflict His people will also be judged. This is God: One who punishes sin, no matter in whom it is found. With God, sin will always be sin, no matter who commits it, and death is the eternal consequence of sin. As the rule applied to his own chosen people, so does it apply to us today. 

Israel suffered for its sin, yet God was still sending a message of hope, salvation and redemption. This means that God is not vindictive, but one full of mercy and grace, if men will repent and return to Him. In the past, God had punished, but now He is doing a new thing. And there is no end or limit to His mercy: all men are invited in to come and partake of the mercy that is on offer. From the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, to the land beyond the Jordan to Galilee of the Gentiles, the message remains the same: the Light has come. It doesn't matter what has gone before; the light has come. It doesn't matter how terrible the past has been; the light has come.

Make no mistake about this: sin is darkness. It doesn't matter how polished or educated you are now; you need the Light. It doesn't matter how men applaud you now; you need the Light. It is not just any kind of light, but the Light that comes into the world and offers a way out of sin and darkness into the marvelous light of God. The Light has come, but He will not force Himself on anyone. It is a decision I must make, and soon too. The light shines on, but a time is coming when the light on this side of earth will be switched off, and judgment will be the only thing left. Before that time comes, and all who are left in sin are lost forever, you do have a choice to make. What would it be: Light or darkness? Remember, choices have eternal consciousness. His time of favour is here.