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1-2-2022 New Year’s Week Message

Meditation of the Week: Psalm 91:1-16

Text: Psalm 27:1-14

Word Title: The power and hope of those who have received the light of life

      Satan the Devil, who has been in control of the world for the past six thousand years, has made the people of the world not to be shined the light of life through numerous philosophers and religious leaders through the educational system and religious system, in order to shine the light of death, not the light of life, in the world.  

      Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, in his later years said that he could not give life, so when Jesus appears any time , his teachings shall be  like a lamp without oil. Also, Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, said that if the Son of God appears in the distant future, follow Him. They made a declaration of conscience, realizing that the way they taught themselves could not solve the problem of death, although they sacrificed themselves to lead people in the good path.

     Not only the secular world but also the Christian world, all kinds of personality education and philosophies are infiltrating people from hearing the word of God, who is the true light giving eternal life, so that the blind lead the blind to the pit of hell together. Against hypocrites who are spiritually blind, Jesus gave a warning:

” Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch..” (Matthew 15:14)

       The Apostle Paul warned that there are servants of Satan even in the church of God:

” For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

         King David, who had found the true light, in prayer confessed unto the LORD God:

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ” (Psalm 27:1)

      He testified that his soul was saved by receiving the light of life through the Word of God. David, who believed in God and received salvation of his soul, testified that he was not afraid of anyone in the world.

       The Apostle John taught the truth  that Jesus Christ, who was in the beginning as the Word, was with God, and was God, is the God who created all things, and had life in him, and that life is the light of men (John 1:1-4). He testified of the light of life:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)” (1 John 1:1-2).

       He also testified that only those who have received the light of life can have fellowship with saints in the light of life:

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:3-4).

        Before Jesus, the true light, appeared in the world, there was nothing but darkness. Satan’s servants were deceiving people by pretending that they were light-bearers.

         Jesus, who appeared to the world as the light of life, in order to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah, he said that he was the true light of life who appeared to the world:

 “The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” (Matthew 4:15-16)

       Nevertheless, Satan the devil has been constantly interfering for the past two thousand years to keep the light of life in Jesus Christ from shining upon people. The Apostle Paul testified of these satanic conspiracies:

” But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them..” ( 2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

      In order to prevent not only the unsaved Jews and Gentiles, but also those in the church of God from hearing the word of God, which gives eternal life through the gospel, the false ministers who have not received the light of life will destroy the souls of people through worldly philosophy and humanity to make them prey through the false education. The Apostle Paul testified of this with a warning:

” Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8).

         Because God alone is the author of light, any Hebrew scholar who has in his hand a origin literal inspired text will have no illumination unless God illuminates him, through the Holy Ghost. When God shine behind us, we can realize what He has done for us. God also gives light before us so that we can see where we are going. He is also able to make us to shine the  light in front of people when God gives the  light around us.

         Before Jesus died, he said to his disciples who were given the light of life:

”   Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (5:14-16).

        Those who received life through the Lord Jesus Christ, the true light, are sent to bear witness to the light, like John the Baptist:

” There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” (John 1:6-8).

         King David confessed his faith that God would hide his people in the dwelling place of God in the time of Jacob’s coming trouble in the time of the great tribulation, and that he would hide them in the secret place of his tabernacle and put them on the rock. God foretold this through the prophet Isaiah:

“Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:20-21).

         God answered the prayer of King David, who received the power of the light of life. The answer he received is also the answer that  he gives to all Christians who have received the light of eternal life through the gospel:

” Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD..” (Psalm 27:14)

          Christians who have received the light of life are able to overcome the evil world. This power is given in waiting upon the Lord’s coming, foretold by the prophet Isaiah:

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).

Amen! Hallelujah!