p. 7 | Light and Darkness by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 4, 1883

Light and Darkness.

By James White

A FEW weeks since we offered a few thoughts to show why the truths which we believe are specially applicable to this time were not found out centuries before they were; or, rather, why they were not generally known; for in all the centuries since Christ, there have been some Christians who have religiously observed the Sabbath of the Lord. The time of papal supremacy was compared to a dark night, and the Reformation to the dawning of the morning. This comparison is warranted by the language of Scripture. The time of our sojourn here in this life is called night, and the time of deliverance is called day. Thus in Isa. 21:11, 12, we read: "The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night; if ye will enquire, enquire ye; return, come." When man was in Eden, when God talked with him, and angels were his daily companions there was bright day. There could be no darkness then for man, for he was continually in the enjoyment of the light of God's presence. But Adam's transgression caused God to withdraw from him in a measure; a sinful being could not look upon God and live; and as man was driven out from the presence of God, the night of earth commenced. This night will continue until God's people are redeemed, and then they will enter upon an eternal day.

The prophet says, however, that "the morning cometh, and also the night." This is true, for the same event that brings light and joy to the righteous, brings only darkness and anguish to the wicked. To them is reserved "the blackness of darkness forever." Jude 13.

But man was not left to grope his way in darkness, through the long night of earth. God's word was given, that he might see to walk in the right way. The psalmist says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. 119:105. And also, "The entrance of thy word giveth light." The apostle Peter says, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19.

Those who follow the teachings of this word, and listen to its warnings, know of the times and the seasons, and are preparing for the coming of their Lord. They are termed "the children of light, and the children of the day." But those who ignore the word of prophecy, and settle down content with the world, are termed children of the night, and of darkness. 1 Thess. 5:1-8.

In harmony with this thought are the words of Solomon: "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4:18. This also gives an additional answer to the question why the reformers did not see all the truths that are now preached as composing the Third Angel's Message. The Christian life is progressive. "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine;" but it is not promised that he shall know it all at once. We are exhorted to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. 3:18. They came out of great darkness into light, and accepted all that they saw. Judging from their lives, we can but suppose that had they continued to live they would have advanced still farther, as the light grew brighter.

But while the whole period from the fall of man to his redemption, is a night, there have been periods when the light shone quite brightly; and these times were when the Bible was most perfectly understood. When Christ was on earth, bright light shone in upon the darkness. As Matthew quotes the prophecy of Isaiah, "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." Matt. 4:16. Christ was the true light of the world, because in his life the law of God was perfectly exhibited. There were but few, however, who were willing to accept the light; and some who saw it, shut their eyes to it, so that soon the darkness set in. As the darkness appears the more intense when contrasted with bright light, so after the light of Christ's life had shone upon the earth the darkness appeared tenfold deeper than ever before. Then the Bible was entirely lost sight of, and scarcely a ray of light appeared. But in God's appointed time the clouds began to scatter, and the light began to appear. This light we are told will grow brighter and brighter till it ends in the perfect day. In the beginning man obeyed the will of his Maker perfectly. If he is ever to be restored to his original position, he must be as fully conformed to the divine will, must walk in the light as at first. And thus we read: "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." Zeph. 3:13.

Now another illustration: Suppose that in the early morning, when the first faint glimmer of light appears, a man should say that because he could not then see much light, there never would be any more. Suppose he should utterly refuse to behold the light as the sun reached the horizon, and should bandage his eyes so that no more light could reach him. Everyone would say that he was extremely foolish, and that he would be likely to so weaken his eyes as to render them unable to ever endure bright light. Well, that is just the relation that many sustain to the light that God has given them. When Christ was on earth, the priests would not believe that there was any more light than what they already had. In the time of the Reformation it was the same; and it is the same to-day. At different periods as the light increased, certain ones took their stand and refused to receive any more. And what result follows such action. Here it is in the words of Christ: "Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you." John 12:35. By rejecting light men soon become incapable of receiving it; they are then blind. Men who are in that condition, say, I cannot see such and such things; and God will not punish me if I do the best I can, because I cannot understand the Bible as others do. Hear what he says: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee." Hosea 4:6. What a terrible fate! Let these words stand as a warning to us not to reject any light, but to heed the apostle's exhortation: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." Rom. 13:12. E. J. W.