12:36John 12:36

Jesus spoke these words as his final appeal to the people just before betrayal and death, when his time with them was drawing to a close.Ms 77, 1897, par. 7–8+2 The light is Christ himself, present with them for only a little while.Ms 90, 1897, par. 1–3+2 Believing in him while he is present makes people children of light, receiving him and walking as his followers with power to become sons and daughters of God enabled to obey righteousness.Ms 77, 1897, par. 7–8+4 They must believe and walk while they have the light, before darkness comes and overtakes them and leaves them without direction.CT 369.1+2 Refusing the light dims it until it is lost in darkness and hardens the heart beyond impression, so that Jesus withdraws himself and they come under judgment and the control of Satan by their own course.Ms 30, 1890, par. 17–19+4

The words were spoken just before betrayal and death, when time with the people was drawing to a close and death was approaching, as a final appeal to them.Ms 77, 1897, par. 7–8+2 They were given in answer to the crowd gathered around Him who asked who the Son of man is after He said the Son of man must be lifted up.ST Jul 8, 1897 To them He said the light is with them only a little while, to walk while having the light lest darkness come upon them, and to believe in the light so they may become children of light.ST Jul 8, 1897

He spoke these words amid a conspiracy already formed to put Him to death.Ms 33, 1897, par. 19–20+1 He then withdrew and hid Himself because the people were trying to provoke a controversy with Him in order to accuse Him.Ms 33, 1897, par. 19–20+1 His departure and hiding as He left the temple meant God's presence was withdrawn from it, leaving its ceremonies and services meaningless.DA 620.4

Though He had done many miracles before them as evidence of His divine mission, including raising Lazarus from the dead, they set their hearts against Him and believed not.ST Jul 8, 1897 This shows the power of unbelief, that nothing could lighten the darkness encompassing them.ST Jul 8, 1897

The light is Christ himself, Jesus the Light, present with the people for only a little while, and the call is to believe in him and walk in his light while it is still available.Ms 90, 1897, par. 1–3+3 To believe in the light while it is present is to receive Christ and to walk as his followers, and those who so believe become children of light.Ms 77, 1897, par. 7–8+2 This warning was given as time with the people was drawing to a close and death was approaching, urging belief before darkness should overtake those who do not walk.Ms 77, 1897, par. 7–8+2 Those who follow Christ walk in the light as he does, not treating it with indifference, misusing it, or stumbling over it as the Jews did.11MR 88.2–89.1+1

Becoming children of light brings power to become sons and daughters of God enabled to obey righteousness.Ms 164, 1905, par. 9–12 This fulfills God's purpose in the plan of salvation to raise fallen human beings to the divine ideal.Lt 178, 1902, par. 24–25 That exaltation is made possible by Christ giving his life on the cross of Calvary and by his Spirit striving to lift people to that height.Lt 178, 1902, par. 24–25

The light also includes the precious light God permits to shine in messages of warning, caution, and reproof.Lt 59, 1892, par. 1–3+1 It is the known will of the Lord shining upon those who know him, so that they are not left in uncertainty and darkness to stumble without knowing where their steps lead.Lt 59, 1892, par. 1–3 At Battle Creek College that light was God causing his Holy Spirit from time to time to move upon the students that they might acknowledge him in all their ways so he might direct their paths, and duty consisted in responding to that moving.Ms 73, 1896, par. 1 Heeding this counsel serves present good and future eternal life, while turning away by failing to believe and act upon what has already been given leaves a person unable to believe even if greater light is shed upon the pathway.Lt 59, 1892, par. 1–3+1

People must believe in the light while they have it, because the opportunity is limited and the light is with them only a little while.CT 369.1+2 To believe while the light is present is to walk in it and thereby become children of light.CT 369.1+2 The call is earnest and immediate, pressing against spiritual coldness and backsliding while the light is still present.Ms 39, 1892, par. 75+1 It applies to responding to the Holy Spirit's promptings and acknowledging God while His influence is present, as with students moved upon to acknowledge Him and be directed.Ms 73, 1896, par. 1+1

Jesus warns to walk while having the light, before darkness comes and overtakes those who do not walk.CT 369.1+2 That darkness leaves people without direction, so that walking in darkness they do not know where they go.CT 369.1+3 The warning was given as His time with the people was drawing to a close and His death was approaching.Ms 77, 1897, par. 7–8 Believing in Him as the light and walking in that light while it is available makes believers children of light.Ms 77, 1897, par. 7–8+2

At Battle Creek College that present light is God causing His Holy Spirit from time to time to move upon the students that they might acknowledge Him in all their ways so He might direct their paths, and duty consists in responding to that moving rather than holding a false idea of duty.Ms 73, 1896, par. 1 Responding to the light at personal cost is illustrated by Iverson's decision to keep the Sabbath despite knowing he could lose his school position.Lt 111, 1893, par. 3–4 Those who refuse His words and miracles and listen to fables instead let darkness come upon them and come under the control of Satan the father of lies.Ms 164, 1905, par. 9–12 As the Jews saw His miracles yet did not believe in His divine mission, so today those who set their hearts to disobey and array themselves against Christ and present truth cannot be convinced to confess sin and become as little children.Ms 164, 1905, par. 9–12 Believing in the light brings power to become sons and daughters of God enabled to obey righteousness.Ms 164, 1905, par. 9–12

Continued faithfulness to received light brings further light from God, and receiving the truth as it is in Jesus brings further light from God, the source of all light.Lt 77, 1893, par. 9–13+1 People should receive and trust the light while it is available, walk in it, and thereby become children of light.Lt 77, 1893, par. 9–13+1 To walk in the light while having the light is to use a closing probation while it lasts, for probation is about ended.Lt 2c, 1892, par. 22–26 It means to deny self, to wait a little for the gratification of desires, to refuse pride and selfish indulgence, and to spend means and effort to carry truth and save the lost.Lt 2c, 1892, par. 22–26 Those who so walk in the light will, if saved in the kingdom of God, receive the richest music of heaven through the ceaseless ages of eternity.Lt 2c, 1892, par. 22–26

Resisting conviction dims the light, and refusing to advance in what God has given leaves a person to lose it and be left in darkness and the darkness of error.19MR 180.1–181.1+1 Neglected light can fade from the mind, as those who reject clear evidence of divine truth become hardened and unable to feel its weight until the little light they had is lost in darkness.6RED 39.3 Those who do not earnestly cultivate spirituality by accepting light and walking in it will find that their existing light becomes darkness.Ms 105, 1894, par. 10

Every refusal to receive the light of life makes the heart harder and more unimpressible, until there is no seeing with the eyes nor understanding with the heart and no conversion and healing.Lt 77, 1904, par. 7–12 Turning away from precious light in messages of warning, caution, and reproof by failing to believe and act on what has already been given leaves a person unable to believe even if greater light is shed upon the pathway, and without faith, with blinded eyes and hardened hearts.Lt 31, 1891, par. 1–3 This hardness comes through transgression and resistance, for Christ works to soften hearts but persistent resistance hardens them.RH Nov 13, 1900

Refusal is rejection of Christ's message and the truth urged by the Holy Spirit, and of His words and miracles and God's known will.Ms 30, 1890, par. 17–19+1 It is refusing conviction while choosing human approval over God's praise even when strong evidence of Christ has been seen.Ms 88, 1897, par. 4–6 It is denying the Holy Spirit's leading, making light of the Holy Spirit, blaspheming God and calling His working a delusion, choosing darkness rather than light.Lt 143, 1897, par. 14–16 It includes listening to fables instead of truth, heeding false charges as the Jews heeded the Pharisees, and setting the heart to disobey and array itself against Christ and present truth so that confession of sin and becoming as little children is refused.Ms 164, 1905, par. 9–12+1

Hearts are hardened because light is refused, not because light is given, and not because God arbitrarily blinds.Lt 143, 1897, par. 14–16+1 The prophecy quoted foretold what God already knew would happen, but it did not determine character or remove free will.RH Nov 13, 1900 People choose whether to follow God's molding or Satan's rule, as God tested the Jews to see whether they would believe His Son or heed false charges.RH Nov 13, 1900

Repeated rejection hardens the heart and brings people under judgment, leaving them in darkness unable to recognize where they are going.Ms 30, 1890, par. 17–19 All who have had light and evidence but refused it come under judgment where sentence of death is passed.Lt 143, 1897, par. 14–16 Those who refuse let darkness come upon them so that walking in darkness they do not know where they go, and they come under the control of Satan the father of lies and under satanic influence.Lt 143, 1897, par. 14–16+1 Then Jesus departs and hides Himself from those who refuse, and the resulting darkness is brought by their own course.Lt 77, 1904, par. 7–12+1

Those who believe in the light are to live as children of light, shaking off spiritual lethargy and remaining faithful in duty even when danger threatens.ST Oct 19, 1882 Their lives are to conform closely to God's will, representing Christ in word and action and bringing glory to God.ST Oct 19, 1882 So lived, they become bright, shining lights, whose full faithful service may be greater than is recognized until the judgment.ST Oct 19, 1882

God's people are to be light-bearers to a world in darkness, keeping God's high standard before them in both teaching and example.COHJ 2.1+1 The opposite standard is Satan's false standard, which leads to misery, degradation, disease, and death for body and soul.COHJ 2.1 Refusing to move forward in the light God gives turns that light to darkness, leaving them lost in the surrounding darkness.COHJ 2.1+1

Walking in the light means obeying known truth in daily life-practice and not merely professing it.Lt 59, 1892, par. 1–3+1 It is acknowledging the light in actions, moving in accordance with light already given, eagerly grasping it, talking light and talking faith and speaking no word of unbelief.Lt 59, 1892, par. 1–3+1 It is looking unto Jesus rather than looking to self and talking of self and feelings, which makes the soul free, for without that looking the light shines and flashes in vain, even a thousandfold more light shining in vain.Lt 47, 1896, par. 4–5 Such action cooperates with God and with the heavenly ministering angels appointed to work for the salvation of the soul.Lt 47, 1896, par. 4–5 Setting aside God's known will to follow one's own will tells the Spirit of God to depart until a more convenient time and brings one under a stronger controlling will, unless the human will is determinedly placed on God's side and heaven's side, and neglect, indifference, and disregard for God's counsel weakens its influence and makes the light God would impart of no effect.Lt 59, 1892, par. 1–3 Applied to health reform, those who claim to believe its principles must live by them, since working against those principles while professing belief hurts their own souls and leaves wrong impressions on believers and unbelievers.CH 127.5–128.1

The light to be believed includes knowledge of God's health laws and the laws of nature, the grand truths of health reform, temperance, and the gospel of health, the beauties of the better way of living in harmony with the laws of life.STA 127.2+3 Refusing to improve the knowledge within reach rejects a means God has provided to promote physical and spiritual life now and to help prepare for the life to come.STA 127.2+1 Believing means learning the principles of health reform and temperance, practicing them in one's own life to gain God's blessing and strength and power for the work, and teaching them to others by precept and consistent example, arousing intellect and conscience and spreading instruction through gatherings and publications.STA 127.1+1 Walking in the light means reaching people where they are and by example and precept leading them to see the better way, giving these truths in earnest to a world in sad need of instruction and to those who know them not.COHJ 2.3

Responding to the light may cost personally, as seen when Iverson decided to keep the Sabbath though he knew he could lose his school position.Lt 111, 1893, par. 3–4 At Battle Creek College the light is God causing His Holy Spirit from time to time to move upon the students that they might acknowledge Him in all their ways so He might direct their paths, and duty consists in responding to that moving rather than holding a false idea of duty.Ms 73, 1896, par. 1+1 The call presses for immediate response against spiritual coldness and backsliding.Ms 39, 1892, par. 57–60 To walk in the light while having it is to deny self, to wait a little for the gratification of desires, to refuse pride and selfish indulgence, and to spend means and effort to carry truth and save the lost.Lt 2c, 1892, par. 22–26 Those who so walk will, if saved in the kingdom of God, receive the richest music of heaven through the ceaseless ages of eternity.Lt 2c, 1892, par. 22–26

Becoming children of light requires forsaking the corruption of the world for the holiness of God's kingdom, fulfilling God's purpose in the plan of salvation to raise fallen human beings to the divine ideal, made possible by Christ giving His life on the cross of Calvary and by His Spirit striving to exalt people to that height.Lt 178, 1902, par. 24–25 Following the world is incompatible with belonging to Christ, and truth may be rejected because it cuts across a person's chosen path.Ms 41, 1886, par. 3 Those who follow Christ walk in the light as He does, not treating it with indifference, misusing it, or stumbling over it.11MR 88.2–89.1+1 Those who have had light shining on the path but have not followed it need a thorough work.Ms 77, 1893, par. 35 Those given the talent of influence are to cooperate with God where He places them in persuading others to make this change, obeying God's word to safeguard the soul and qualify for this good and grand work, telling those in temptation how they were helped and strengthened by God's power, and helping others become children of light, since the truest happiness and greatest blessing are found in innocence alone.Lt 178, 1902, par. 24–25+1