Darkness
Darkness can be defined as "an absence of light." Since "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5 RSV), it's natural that the physical creation (see The Seven Days Of Creation) began with the displacement of darkness: "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day." (Genesis 1:2-5 RSV)
Darkness is referred to widely throughout the Old and New Testaments, literally and figuratively, in past events of Bible History, and in coming events of Prophecy:
Literally
- "Then The Lord [see Rock Of Ages and The Logos] said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days; they did not see one another, nor did any rise from his place for three days; but all the people of Israel had light where they dwelt." (Exodus 10:21-23 RSV) (see The Ten Plagues)
"If I look for Sheol as my house, if I spread my couch in darkness, if I say to the pit, 'You are my father,' and to the worm, 'My mother,' or 'My sister,' where then is my hope? Who will see my hope? Will it go down to the bars of Sheol? Shall we descend together into the dust?" (Job 17:13-16 RSV) (see What Happens When You Die?)
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken [see Signs In The Heavens]; then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming [see The Return Of Jesus Christ] on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:29-30 RSV)
Figuratively
- "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined." (Isaiah 9:2 RSV) (see The Elect)
- "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." (Ephesians 5:11-14 RSV) (see Glass Houses)
- "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble." (Proverbs 4:18-19 RSV)
Fact Finder: Did darkness come over the land as Jesus Christ was dying on the cross?
Matthew 27:45-46
Note: the "sixth to the ninth hour" of the Biblical day is the equivalent of noon to 3 pm
Bible History Index | Daily Bible Study Home Page
This Week's Bible Quiz
1. What was the name of the town where Jesus turned water into wine?
2. What was the name of the town where Lazarus lived?
3. What was the name of the town where Jesus was born?
4. In what country did Jesus live until Herod died?
5. What was the name of the town where Jesus grew up?
6. What was the name of the town where Jesus lived after the people of Nazareth rejected Him?
7. What was the name of the mount where Jesus ascended into heaven?
8. What was the name of the island where Paul was shipwrecked?
9. What was the name of the island where John wrote Revelation?
10. What is the name of the garden where Jesus was arrested?
For the answers to this January 16 2001 quiz, see the Bible Quiz Answers Page
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