“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
as a light that shines
“Light” dispels darkness. When Jesus comes, He will dispel the darkness of our world. This world is a place of moral squalor. Jesus enlightens darkened minds.
“Shines” means to give light. The Word is a bright light in the darkness of this world. It brings everything to light and makes it appear for what it truly is.
The Christian is in the process of growing in his knowledge of God’s Word. It is a light that shines brighter every day that he applies Scripture to his experience.
Pr 4:18, “But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”
in a dark place
“Dark” pertains not only to darkness itself but also carries the idea of being dirty and miserable. The light shines in miserable places, in morally degraded areas.
We can do more than shout against the darkness; we can shine a light on it. Our light shines wonderfully in dark places. People can see the integrity of Christianity by contrast. The greater our society becomes morally depraved, the more evident it contrasts with the light. Someone dressed cleanly stands out among those who live with filth and dirt.
until the day dawns
“Dawns” means to shine through. There will be a day when light shines through all the deception and falsity of the world. That is the day when Christ returns to earth to establish His kingdom.
and the morning star
We get the English word “phosphorus” from the Greek term for “morning star.” Literally, “morning star” means light-bringer or light-bearer. The “morning star” bears and gives light. The eye provides light to the mind. The morning star is conspicuous and thus illuminates our minds. “Morning star” then refers to the day Christ comes again. Until Jesus comes again, darkness will prevail on Earth. Peter’s audience needed to heed the Old Testament scriptures, which predict the return of Christ.
rises in your hearts
“Rises” comes from two Greek words: through and shine. Thus, “rises” means to shine through with particular reference to the dawn. This is the breaking of daylight upon the darkness of the night. When Jesus comes, He will break into the darkness of the night of this world. This will be a breakthrough in time and space. It will be a manifestation of the light of truth when Jesus comes.
PRINCIPLE:
We have enough of God’s Word to love the Lord Jesus thoroughly.
APPLICATION:
Truth is more of a reality than experience. Peter lived with Jesus for three years. Jesus rebuked, corrected, and commended Peter over that period. Yet, Jesus became more real to Peter in knowing the truth than in Peter’s personal experience with Him. That heads some of us off at the maudlin pass!
Some say, “If I lived when Jesus lived, I would love Him better. I would not have done some of the dumb spiritual things I have done.” Malarkey! You would not be any different than you are right now. You have enough of the Word to love Him thoroughly. You would be no other than you are right now.
