Light That Is Not Light
By G. B. THOMPSON
IN Matt. 6:23 we read, “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” But how can light be darkness? The terms are opposites, and appear contradictory. However, the statement is in the Bible, and there are no contradictions in the Scriptures of truth. Inasmuch as this is an age18of so-called light, and on every hand are those who come forth and challenge attention with their claims concerning new light, a study of the preceding text is of interest. It seems clear from this paradoxical expression that there must be a kind of light which is not really light, but darkness. Satan, before his fall, was the covering cherub above God's throne of light. He was the light-bearer of the throne. He had charge of the light department of the universe, and, though fallen, he is an angel still. Because of sin, this angel of light has become the angel of darkness. Though a ruler, he is shut in with chains of darkness. But though the king of the dark, bottomless pit of unrighteousness, he has power, nevertheless, to transform himself “into an angel of light.” He has ministers and apostles also, transformed into apostles of light. 2 Cor. 11:13-15. And may it not be possible that this mighty cherub of darkness, transformed into an angel of light, can still dispense light,—not the true light, of course, but a light which appears to be real light, though in reality it is darkness? And should we foster this deceptive light under the delusion that it is the true light, how great indeed would be the darkness! To cherish this so-called light in the soul, thinking it is the true light, would be a terrible, well-nigh fatal delusion. While we are in a boasted age of light, gross darkness covers the people. From every quarter the cry is heard, We have light. And on a casual examination in some instances it may really have the appearance of light. It is therefore well to be on our guard lest we be deceived. God's Word is light, and we need to compare with this great, unerring detector everything claiming to be light, that we be not deceived. In the history of this message there have arisen at various times those who, while claiming to have advanced light, have rejected the messages the Lord has entrusted to his people. Most of those have gone into total and everlasting eclipse. The others grope on in darkness, barely alive. In the onward progress of the message, there should, without doubt, be such a thing as additional and advanced light, and furthermore there undoubtedly is and ever has been among us increased light. The message grows clearer. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18. To cease to receive more light is to stop growing, wither up, and die. To advance, we must receive continually more light. The messages of Revelation 14 are light from heaven; and when any additional light comes, its tendency will be to strengthen and reveal more clearly the immovable pillars of the messages which the Lord is sending to the world, and which were given to his people three-score years ago. In “Early Writings,” page 10, we read: “While praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above the dark world. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, ‘Look again, and look a little higher.’ At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the midnight cry. This light shone all along the path, and gave light for their feet so they might not stumble.” We have here the light of the first angel's message brought to view as it focused in the “midnight cry,” which shone with such brilliancy that its piercing rays reach to the very end. This is the thought that we wish to impress. That message was light, and it shines till the Lord comes, and the true path of God's people will lie in the light of this message till the end. Now if that comes to us claiming to have the credentials of light, and yet its tendency is to discredit the light of the message of the past, it can not be light. It may look like light, it may be presented by a so-called apostle of light, but it is darkness. The second and third angels' messages are but a further unfolding of this same light, making the path of God's people more clear till the end. It will be well to study the messages of this hour in the light of the midnight cry.