Malachi 4:2, commentary and pictures

The Sun of righteousness is Jesus Christ Himself, the Saviour and Light of the world, who has arisen and still arises with ever-increasing light. He comes gently like the breaking morning, not to dazzle or win applause, bringing spiritual healing, cleansing, peace and life to the soul and restoring health to mind and body. Those who fear His name are the repentant, loyal and obedient who think upon Him, open their hearts to Him, and stand in His light, and they shall go forth and flourish like well-fed calves set free, restored to full stature, perfect vigor and immortality. This promise stands against the coming burning day that will consume the proud and evildoers as stubble, while endless day dawns for the righteous. All brightness in believers is only reflected light from Him, received by opening the heart heavenward through the Holy Spirit and then shining outward in good works, cheerful service and mission to others.

Sun, Healing, and Growth

The Sun of righteousness is Jesus Christ Himself — Saviour, Lord of glory, Light of the world, Son of God, promised Messiah, Redeemer, Messenger of the covenant and divine Teacher, the source of all light and life and righteousness, who was to arise and has arisen. For those who fear God's name He rises with healing, in contrast to the destruction of the wicked, and God who understands each person rewards everyone according to deeds. Those who fear Him will go out and grow strong and flourishing like calves released from the stall. His rising brings special light and healing to His church amid darkness and unbelief before the second coming, and that light is to be reflected through each true disciple in an influence giving life, courage, helpfulness and healing.

He arises quietly and gently, not bursting forth in splendor to dazzle the senses or to draw attention as a wonder-worker seeking applause. His coming is like morning daylight softly breaking upon the earth, beam following beam with ever-expanding light, dispelling darkness and awakening the world to life. Hidden in God, without noisy disputation or ostentatious worship or any act to gain applause, He revealed God in character and brought healing. Believers discern His mission, mercy, love and tender compassion more and more distinctly, admiring Him, loving Him more, obeying more implicitly and serving devotedly, beholding the light of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. This rising reveals the depth of the riches of God's wisdom and knowledge in the plan to recover lost man from degradation and ruin, showing Jesus as the glory of infinite wisdom in whom all fullness dwells and all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid, able to mold and elevate character when proud human wisdom and self-righteousness are laid down and counted loss. Just after sunrise above the Mount of Olives He pointed to the sun in declaring Himself the light of the world.

With healing in His wings means spiritual healing, cleansing, sustenance, life, sweetness and peace received into the soul. Through the pure and powerful gospel and Christ's love it cures the maladies originated in sin, bringing the life of God into the soul as the only hope that can heal the broken heart, give peace of mind, remove care, restore a wasted life, take away burdens of sorrow, suffering and sin, and give rest. It is more than forgiveness, with sin taken away and the heart filled by the Holy Spirit, and His wings represent the healing and care found in Him as He bears sins that people may receive His righteousness. His light brings healing and peace showing His tender care, and those who receive His presence should praise Him with heart, soul and voice and keep a cheerful spirit rather than letting despondency or dissatisfaction hide His light.

The healing is also physical and mental health and wholeness obtained at Christ's cross. Facing His light is linked with gaining victories, while hope and faith in Christ and praise to God bring cheerfulness and are a remedy for sickness of soul and body, and His unclouded brightness dispels repining and despondency. When the sick learn of the Saviour health is restored, and as a risen Saviour and Great Physician He longs to save to the uttermost all who will come to Him, healing souls sick with doubt and tired of worldliness and unrest. His beams soothe children like sunlight and shine into the chambers of heart and mind and soul-temple, bringing forgiveness, redemption and transformation, imparting the greatest truest joys, placing pardon upon the lips, and making His presence, grace, favor and salvation known with rejoicing. As sinners look to Jesus the Sin-bearer, redeeming love reaches their thirsty souls and they are saved.

Going forth and growing up as calves of the stall means flourishing like well-nourished calves released to freedom, with healing and joyful growth and renewed life when the day of judgment comes. While the proud and wicked are burned up, God distinguishes those who serve Him from those who do not, remembers those who honor His name, claims them as His own, and spares them as a father spares a serving son. The promise that the redeemed will grow up means they will attain the full stature of the human race in its primeval glory. Restored to the tree of life in the long-lost Eden, with all blemishes and deformities left in the grave, their mortal corruptible sin-polluted form becomes perfect, beautiful, vigorous and immortal, arising with the freshness and vigor of eternal youth, the last lingering traces of the curse of sin removed. Christ restores the divine image that sin defaced, so His faithful ones appear in the beauty of the Lord in mind and soul and body, reflecting the perfect image of their Lord, and they grow in grace and knowledge toward full maturity with richer fruit after pruning.

His light is essential to the world, the source of light and life without which people cannot have life. If His beams were withdrawn humanity would be left in the darkness of eternal night, immersed in eternal darkness. The image is connected with the need for Christ's righteousness and with the wisdom of God which alone reveals the plan of salvation, and with knowing the truth of God's Word and living by every word that proceeds from God. He ascended the firmament of truth and shone amid the moral darkness of the world as the light of the world and benefactor of the world, in whom are combined all qualities of perfection, drawing to Himself all who accept His light and walk in it away from moral darkness into clear light. Those who receive Him are to go forth as witnesses, showing the praises of the One who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.

He has arisen with healing and waits to clothe His people with the garments of salvation. The Sun of Righteousness has risen upon God's people with healing in His wings, healing every disorder, and His presence brings gladness and grounds a life of unity and love. Its shining with healing pictures the Lord's goodness bringing spiritual joy and encouragement into the heart. It pictures God's light and sustaining power shining upon those who fear His name, describing divine comfort and blessing amid perplexity that enables presenting truth in Jesus.

The Son of God came to earth with a life- and light-giving message to bear to all that were nigh and all that were afar off, as the Herald of truth to be heard by all people, whose bright beams are received when faces are turned Christward. Jesus lives, and because He lives His people will live also, and this assurance with its bright beams of hope lifts believers above the world's deception and keeps them from despair. It means wholeness of restoration obtained at Christ's cross by laying down self-sufficiency without delay and opening the heart to that light radiating from the throne of God and entering the open heart as the softening subduing influence of the Holy Spirit, so the character becomes kind, condescending and courteous.

Those Who Fear Him

Those who fear His name are the repentant and faithful who overcome sin, wait earnestly for the Saviour, and are loyal, obedient and trustworthy in probationary time. They speak often to one another and think upon His name, and their names are written in a book of remembrance and in the Lamb's book of life. They receive the seal of the living God and are recognized as worthy of His protection and sparing, as a father spares his serving son, including His hidden ones whom the world does not recognize or honor. They place themselves where the light can reach them, stand under its bright rays in the last days, receive knowledge of present truth with eagerness for every additional ray, and are made free, changed, enlightened and radiant, set free to thrive and grow. Those who knowingly persist in sin instead face darkness, blinding, acceptance of delusion, and loss of their names from the Book of Life.

They are vessels unto honor who receive the latter rain near the close of earth's history as faithful watchmen who do not slumber but declare the time of night. They magnify Christ's grace and infinite compassion and love and seek to be like Jesus in character with no envy or jealousy, so that Christ is admired in all them that believe. The rising brings them special light, healing and reviving hope before the second coming, pointing to the soon-coming morning as the time of hope and the righteous' reward. Its bright beams rest upon them as soldiers of the cross heralding salvation, and as Son of Righteousness His light has been shining in recent years to prepare a people to stand in the day of preparation. That closing shining will send the rays of the Sun of Righteousness into all highways and byways with power to lighten the earth with glory from law and gospel, bringing the decisive question before nations and causing decisions for God as supreme Governor.

Safety is found only in serving God through tested faith even at worldly cost, walking carefully and humbly before the Lord in probation. This requires drawing close to Jesus until His light rests upon His people, with God opening a way as at the Red Sea, and then reflecting every ray as the light of the world with straight paths so others are not turned aside. Keeping the face lifted and the eyes fixed on Him means looking to Christ in faith for light and power rather than becoming cold, dark or Christless, which keeps His people cheerful and lights the countenance with the brightness of Christ's image. Facing Him and keeping His constant presence in home, office and heart means doing one's very best, praying and believing, seeking converting power for soul-saving, loving Jesus and knowing His love for failing sinners, praising Him and rejoicing in His love. Turning to Him when darkness settles, with hope and faith and praise to God, brings cheerfulness, victory, and remedy for sickness of soul and body, for His unclouded brightness dispels repining and despondency.

Its soft beams shine into the hearts of those who fear His name to bring attractiveness into Christian service, making them pleasant and cheerful with a strong and blessed influence on all around them. The truth of Jesus Christ does not tend to gloom and sadness but teaches faith in the Redeemer and lessons of truth and love, placing believers in Christ's school to learn meekness and lowliness and to attend to the soul's necessity. Keeping the soul open to that light brings joy rather than peevishness and gloom, and shows the world that serving God is not severe, taxing or unjust. Placing oneself in its bright rays means living in the light of Christ's righteousness, not treating religion as something worn only during a meeting and set aside afterward. Its bright rays go before God's people, who having received great light are to walk in it, reject idols, let nothing capture mind or affection to block those rays, and trust implicitly in His presence to lead and guard, with the Lord's glory as rear guard.

Standing in that healing light means receiving God's truth, without which human ideas are only like a candle shining in darkness and can mislead others. God's righteousness goes before and guides those who trust Him. Walking in its light means living in Christ and letting Christ live in us, joined with preaching and practicing the Word so that souls may be converted. He rises upon those who fear God's name when they confess sin, repent in contrition, clear rubbish from the door of the heart, and open to Him as heavenly guest. His rising is God opening heaven's windows and pouring out blessing, manifesting Himself as gracious, giving the richest truths with righteousness and peace and full joy, with strong beams from the throne penetrating everywhere to consecrate and sanctify souls and to shine through them to the world as they obtain faith and love, Christ's righteousness, and true spiritual discernment.

Those who remain impoverished, blind, unsoftened, listening to another voice and refusing the channel of light shut out His beams, because Satan casts his shadow athwart the pathway to obstruct every ray. For those who fear God His shining brings healing and blessing, and His light exposes evil and restrains sin while reviving the humble and contrite even amid darkness and opposition. Its beams melt hardened hearts and soften the soul-temple and chambers of the mind, leading to heartfelt confession, spiritual renewal, peace and joy in the Lord. Its bright rays shine on those who humble themselves, for humility places them where they can receive His light.

Judgment Setting and Contrast

The promise stands in direct contrast to the coming burning day that will consume the proud and all evildoers as stubble, leaving them neither root nor branch. That burning leaves no endless torment but a complete end, with the wicked returning to dust rather than suffering forever. They are gathered like tares with the originator of evil for destruction and are trampled as ashes, while for the righteous an endless day dawns and for the wicked an eternal night settles, picturing the final judgment when Satan is banished. For those who fear the divine name the Sun of Righteousness rises with healing, with beam following beam and ever-expanding light like sunrise, and they go free and grow up like calves released from the stall. God understands each person and rewards everyone according to deeds.

The setting is the coming distinction in the day of God between the one who serves God and the one who does not, when in probationary time there are only two sides. Then God discerns, remembers those who honor His name, claims them as jewels, and spares the obedient as a father spares his serving son. Those who fear Him are those who can be trusted because they are loyal and obedient, who speak often to one another and think upon His name, whose names are written in a book of remembrance and in the Lamb's book of life, including hidden ones not recognized or honored by the world. After Israel trusted in the ark and was scattered, the promise continued for the loyal in obedience without outward display, manifesting Himself even in captivity, and the Sun shines in the heart and is revealed in the life without need for outward show. All brightness in the richest experience is only reflected light from Him, so whoever lives nearest shines brightest.

Its shining with healing marks the triumph of truth when falsehood is broken and the earth is filled with glory. Truth lives and succeeds though at times overshadowed, because it is inspired and guarded by God, and His law linked with His throne cannot be destroyed by satanic agencies combined with human agencies. Every deception, every device for vindicating falsehood, and every error forged against the gospel of Christ as the law exemplified in character will be eternally broken, and the triumph will be like the appearing of the sun at noonday when the whole earth is filled with His glory. Its rising fulfills the song begun at birth, the praise first sung over Bethlehem swelling through the close of time and echoed by a great multitude like many waters proclaiming God's glory and sovereign reign. If that Sun sets, those neglecting repentance and their duty to win souls, delaying response in cold formal religion, are left in the darkness and blackness of eternal night.

Fulfilled in Christ's Advent

The verse was fulfilled when the long-predicted Teacher and Messenger of the covenant came in the fullness of time, no less than the Son of God one with the Father clothing divinity with humanity to reveal what humanity was designed to be had sin never existed. His words carried invincible power and authority demanding universal attention, sufficient to overcome Satan, as He preached the gospel to the poor, proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord, set judgment in the earth for which the isles wait, and shone as the light to which Gentiles come and to whose rising brightness kings come. He broke forth upon those sitting in the shadow of death to bring a flood of healing light and guidance, and many were ready to receive Him gladly and walk in that light, while priests, rulers, scribes and Pharisees misapplied Scripture, clung to human traditions and misled the people with falsehood so they did not recognize Him. Types, offerings and prophecies had pointed to Him, through whose blood men could be justified and through whose Spirit sanctified, the Son and Spirit working together in the soul, but unbelief led the leaders to reject God's evidence and choose darkness. His light surpassed that of John the Baptist, so that John's own prominence grew pale and dim by comparison as Christ rose in splendor, and John sought no honor for himself but pointed to the greater light.

He came in humility and poverty, born to humble parents in an obscure village, and began public ministry at thirty to reveal Himself as the light and life of humanity. His love and character revealed God truthfully, dispelled mistaken views of Him, broke Satan's deceptive power and brought people back to God. His presence exposed the enemy's hideous moral darkness and drove Satan away, serving as a safeguard against his advances. Only His divine power could release those controlled by demons and overcome fallen spirits possessing human beings. Priests and rulers could no more shut His beams of glory from the world than deprive the earth of the shining sun, so that when the multitude shouted hosannas to the Son of David and confessed His kingdom, that glory broke through all opposition while He healed the afflicted.

At His death the darkness over nature showed the Light of the world withdrawing His beams from Jerusalem once favored by God and from the world. That miraculous sign was given as testimony to humanity to confirm the faith of later generations. His beams withdrew as the city faced judgment, and the darkness signaled God's wrath against it. From the sixth hour to the ninth hour, while human passions raged below, He withdrew His light and earth was left without sunlight, clothed in great darkness as with sackcloth as if the noonday sun were blotted out, nature sympathizing with her dying Author, representing the night of woe settling on the Jewish nation.

The same light had shone earlier on Abraham's heart as God unfolded the purpose of redemption and scattered his darkness. Living in heaven's influence gave Simeon spiritual discernment to recognize the infant Jesus as Messiah and the Lord's anointed to bring redemption to Jews and Gentiles. After the resurrection He shone upon the Emmaus disciples like the sun after moonset, turning grief and sorrow into joy as they recognized their living Saviour and Redeemer. Having recognized Him they traveled joyfully to share the news of His resurrection, with Christ near them though unseen.

Through death and resurrection He has risen and now shines in brightness, completing His covenant and gloriously fulfilling the whole Jewish economy of types and shadows. Before this rising the same Saviour saved believers from Eden's promise that the Seed of the woman would bruise the serpent's head, but God was veiled and mercy was seen only in figures, sacrifices and offerings revealed from time to time to strengthen faith until God sent His Son. Now Christ our Righteousness shines upon humanity revealing mercy and righteousness in brightness. As He approached Jerusalem for the last time He shed divine beams of mercy and grace upon the doomed city, searching for fruit and doing all that could be done to save the nation, yet the light was persistently rejected until rejection filled the measure of guilt, and though He lingered in love carrying the rebellious people on His heart and weeping in agony, the irrevocable sentence came that their house was left desolate.

He shone upon humble peasants and fishermen as He taught the multitude from Simon's boat on the Sea of Galilee. His bright beams carried healing power and divine light more precious than gold or silver or precious stones, planting seeds of truth in hearts to spring up unto eternal life. Some who listened that day later joyfully accepted the gospel at Pentecost and became His appointed agencies to minister in word and doctrine and lay the foundation of His spiritual kingdom.

Light for Last Days

The rising brings reviving hope before the second coming amid darkness and unbelief, pointing to the soon-coming morning when special light and healing come to the church and to all who fear the divine name, a morning of reward with mansions prepared, clear title to the inheritance, life-insurance secured by faith, and possession of the kingdom. At the second coming the Sun shines with bright glory upon the faithful who have lived in close communion with God, and with uplifted heads they receive the light and rejoice because redemption is near, going forth to meet the Bridegroom as their God for whom they have waited and who now saves them. Its shining with healing marks the final triumph of truth as the appearing of the sun at noonday after every deception, device for vindicating falsehood, and error forged by satanic agencies is eternally broken, for truth inspired and guarded by God lives and succeeds though at times overshadowed, because law linked with the throne cannot be destroyed, and as gospel exemplified in character it fills the whole earth with glory.

Like sunlight the universal blessing pours its treasures upon a world unthankful, unholy, and demoralized, lighting the whole earth wrapped in the darkness of sin and sorrow and pain with the knowledge of divine love. The light shining from heaven's throne is excluded from no sect, rank, or class, shining on just and unjust, rich and poor, high and low, for no rank is recognized, and Christ is the light not only of Israel in symbols but of every soul. Its beams bring hope and mercy to the nations so that even those formerly in darkness may turn, take hold of strength, and make peace, driving away spiritual darkness and overcoming hell. This light continues to shine even when people shut their eyes to it and surround themselves with darkness, and refusing it prevents true greatness but cannot extinguish it; it illuminates minds, sweeps away human traditions and requirements, teaches the true principles of law, illuminates the path of those without it, and is the only way of salvation so that with clear evidence no one need remain in the darkness of error.

Much light is yet to shine forth from the law of God and the gospel of righteousness, and understood in its true character and proclaimed in the Spirit it will grow to large importance and lighten the earth with glory. Its fulfillment comes in the closing work of the third angel's message attended with power that sends the rays into all the highways and byways of life, bringing the great decisive question before all nations, tongues, and peoples so that decisions are made for God as supreme Governor with His law honored as the rule of government. That light is the truth of justification by faith and imputed righteousness whose presentation carries evidence of divine working, beginning as a small light that grows stronger like the sun warming and sending out rays and bringing healing, associated with the trodden commandment, increasing until the saints are made immortal and never setting. The Sun must penetrate every chamber of the moral being, and nothing but humbling the soul to the Word and to that penetrating light will break the fog and dense darkness gathered through idolatry, covetousness, ambitious determination to carry out own plans, exalting self, betraying truth to obtain money or to be first, spreading self, binding up with worldly men, and forsaking the fountain of living waters. Its light is to be sent to the ends of the earth to replenish the world in these last days, and those who follow it and depend on God receive accrued power from concentrating all the influence and accumulated truth of the past with the new and increased light of the present, with faith increasing and working with energy and intensely increased earnestness to carry it.

Its bright beams bring light amid moral darkness, revealing Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour, Sin-bearer, and morning star upon the only path that leads from the pit of destruction into which sin plunges men to a place of safety, making the sinner's path the royal path of holiness with hope of returning to the Father by salvation from sins and not in them, open even to scribes and Pharisees through faith. That light reveals the contrast between sin and holiness and purity and defilement, exposes false claims of sanctity and the reality of sin which the unwilling reject, points out danger and the way of righteousness so clearly that the wayfaring man though a fool need not err, and as bright truth dispels the darkness of error from minds. Shining into all chambers of the mind and into the soul-temple for those who place themselves where light can reach, it brings good courage, confidence, and efficiency through faith as every burden is carried away, leaving no place for depression, secret mourning, despondency, or misapprehension, and those who receive it become radiant with the word, with the Spirit communicated through human agencies before which moral darkness must flee. It lessens prejudice as part of warning the world, dispels heathen gloom and superstition, signs emancipation by the cross so hope may go to the ends of the earth, and penetrates worldwide satanic darkness.

Its healing light still shines on sinners while mercy remains, giving opportunity through blessings and patient call to repent, make peace, receive cleansing, and be prepared for the kingdom, an opportunity that will not remain forever. Now shining with pitying tenderness, mercy, tears, and blood, it melts cold, formal, worldly hearts and gives healing and peace to those who fear with whole heart and loyal soul, marking the present day of visitation to know the things belonging to peace through humility and self-abasement. Loitering in outward homage, hollow formalism, and spiritual death while professing faith wastes that light, and if the Sun is allowed to set probation closes, woe is pronounced with rejection despite prophesying and wonderful works, and blackness of eternal night becomes the portion; but when sinners turn from evil and come while mercy remains, it will shine upon them, coming with healing in its beams to hearts prepared by truth and godly lives bearing fruitful harvest.

Its bright beams shine upon the work of the Lord and are resisted, while deceivers speaking smooth words and sowing suspicion and deception scatter sparks of rebellion against the work and against the beams while boasting of their own works. Its shining is divine love giving the only Son to die on the cross in the transgressor's place and give life to those under sentence of death, poured out to save a fallen world and laying full claim on every heart. It is meant to melt every hard, loveless heart into contrition and tenderness, awaken gratitude, affection, adoration, and witness of the crucified one, thaw the frozen heart, and bring the joy that creates union and not dissension, with wisdom learned when prayer exceeds talk; to let it shine in vain is to remain cold, indifferent, unimpressible, and insensible, with hardness and no thanks while minor affairs absorb the whole being.

Its light brings hope and healing, which the adversary obscures by casting shadow between people and the light and fostering doubt of divine love, but looking to Jesus, especially to love shown at the cross, dispels despair. Its bright light pierces that shadow and brings heavenly light, dispelling doubt, opening hearts to truth, and bringing light even to humble, everyday duties. The Sun shines forth and penetrates to all depths and heights, filling the earth with glory. Its bright beams are comfort and consolation to the bereaved from the risen, living Jesus, who sympathizes with grief and intercedes for them. Its beams dispel darkness including the spiritual gloom accompanying suffering, bringing bright hope and comfort. Its bright beams dispel ignorance and spiritual darkness, bringing the light of divine truth to the world.

It rises upon the Chinese people as they are reached by the gospel, leading true converts to work with their teachers and demonstrating the power of truth to change hearts. It is the clear, bright light that drives away the gloomy region of doubt. Its bright beams shine upon the mind through the warnings and entreaties of the Spirit, carrying the compassion of a loving Saviour, the melting power of love, and a message of mercy requiring obedience in the appointed way through the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour, with light growing brighter and brighter to convince of the truth. Those beams can be refused, and when conviction is disregarded and evidence rejected, hearts will not break and melt, mercy is refused, and men are forced into active opposition and stubborn resistance with no cloak for sin.

Receiving and Reflecting Light

All brightness in the richest experience is only reflected light from Him, and whoever lives nearest to Him shines the brightest, for Christians as His jewels have no brightness apart from Him and their luster depends on the polishing that cuts away sharp edges of character until fitted for His temple, and believers must first receive His bright beams before they can succeed and then reflect them steadily and not briefly like a meteor, since receiving without sharing leads to darkness, while His light shines constantly and is never dimmed even when shadow crosses the path.
Its steady shining is joined to the bright Morning Star in changeless glory.
The light is to be reflected through each disciple and the church, spreading an influence that gives life, courage, helpfulness and healing, received through the Holy Spirit to shine in good works, received and imparted in increasing rays, laboring for individuals to reach dark regions and prepare for the advent, with every member to catch the rays with no silent partner as living stones.
As grace refreshes and opens hearts, followers reflect it to others in works marked by His love.
Whoever draws near and beholds Him catches the rays without trying and cannot help shining in righteous words and works through obedience, stimulated to more vigorous action, walking close to gather principles from His Word, doing good, comforting the downcast, guiding wandering feet, sweetening the bitter cup and leading souls to the Master, so that heaven's light shines through with grace dwelling within and service honoring Him.
As mists of selfishness and sin are removed day by day the inner light grows brighter and cannot be concealed, and the heart turned heavenward depends on God rather than human help to reveal His power.
Opening the windows heavenward to spiritual things and closing them earthward against fogs, miasma, amusements and folly lets Him shine in with enlightening, healing beams into all chambers of mind and soul-temple, filling the heart's treasure house, giving rooted faith working by love, treasure of experience and power for soul-saving, requiring human cooperation in resisting the devil and drawing near to God.
Clearing away self-sufficiency and opening the heart accompanies surrender to the Spirit's work.
Beholding Him and dwelling on His goodness imprints His image, beautifying character as sunlight does a flower, softening and transforming into likeness through daily fellowship, changing into His image by the Spirit, revealing righteousness, gentleness and loveliness, and through surrender His Spirit refines and elevates into connection with the future world.
His bright beams are to shine through Christians into dark places as they reflect His character.
He illuminates Scripture and mind, making hidden jewels visible to be mined, giving true meaning, food and consolation to humble believers emptied of pride, while teachers refusing light remain unbelievers intercepting the rays, and His rays are understanding of salvation seen only by diligent study taking truth as God's voice.
As the great Teacher who inspired Bible history He gives knowledge of truth to the searching student, and the Word as light is illumined by His beams upon its pages.
The healing is associated with the Holy Spirit by which people are born again, restored and kept through faith, the Spirit shining into darkened minds awakening to truth, convicting of sin, inspiring faith, sanctifying, transforming and refining for God's family, and His presence among His people through the Spirit brings healing and new birth.
Hearts burn within with awakened realization of eternal things when He so shines.
The light continues even when people shut their eyes and surround themselves with darkness, which prevents true greatness but cannot extinguish it, receivers understanding the preparation needed to shine while rejecters remain not knowing what makes them stumble, and sinners separating from God shut themselves from sunshine and remain parched though it is freely offered.
Without that offered light showing the way of salvation there is only groping in spiritual darkness, and moral sense is endangered where it is not recognized.
Turning attention to Him rather than human helpers illuminates the mind, gathering light means seeking God's knowledge and guidance not own understanding or human wisdom, revelation alone answers how one can be just with God, and seeking from Him gives daily counsel, peace, assurance and safety ending in glory.
Mind and heart should be drawn to Him in reflection and prayer.
He gives life to every soul that opens the heart to Him, drawing by love and providing all needed for perfection of character to those who come in faith as personal Saviour.
Living close to Him is living on the sunny side of the cross, with His light and healing shining into the heart.
His bright beams increase love, hope and joy, received as wisdom from the Holy Spirit through communion with God rather than outward display, linked with enlightened understanding, kind thoughts and holy affections.
His light with Him as living Saviour is to be sought daily, and His righteousness equips believers to use abilities for His glory in obedience as Captain even when discouraged.
Receiving the light requires God's Word as assurance, hope and peace and vision of the soul's worth, shared by cheerful service in little things helping others rise.
Its bright rays are to be welcomed as light for the mind, with His character principles becoming human character principles.
It shines into heart and mind bringing the light of God's grace and favor, welcomed bringing peace, entering the soul making believers light in the Lord, and as with Moses deepening the sense of God's presence as refuge and home through humble seeking and meditation on His character.
Its bright beams bring joy and hope received through seeking the Spirit's wisdom and conformity to God's will, then flowing through to magnify God.
Its light is to shine on those who turn from unbelief and trust in Him, who coming out of unbelief and looking across trials to Him find hope and rejoicing through His resurrection and love shown at the cross instead of hopeless dwelling on trials.
Self-seeking clouds the view of Him and through self-indulgence gives Satan control over heart, mind, soul and strength, crucifying Him afresh and putting Him to open shame.
It must nourish good plants in the heart's garden especially love, peace, harmony, affection and happiness, while every evil plant of Satan like jealousy, anger, envy, evil surmising, evil speaking, impatience, fretfulness, prejudice, vanity, covetousness and selfishness must be rooted up without delay by earnestness, patience, prayer and genuine faith bringing even thoughts into subjection, for those professing burden for souls yet seeing no need for this weeding do not know Him or what it means to be a Christian.
Its light and remedy for sin are freely offered to all, imputing His righteousness to the sincere penitent and equipping him to reflect heaven's light as witness, received not by worthiness but by believing God, welcoming the beams, claiming what He died to give and urging the case before God against the enemy's darkness and unbelief.
Its beams dispel the darkness of confused belief, and its simple truths relieve uncertainty.
Its precious light is joyfully received by hearts softened and subdued by God's Spirit, while hearts remaining cold and unmoved show failure to heed warnings and reform.
Opening the heart to its beams means trusting Him who loves, cares and intercedes in temptation rather than treating oneself as one's own savior.
It is the Light of Righteousness needed by the fashionable, wealthy and proud, giving the rest, peace and quietude of mind that money, costly edifices, furniture and pictures cannot secure.
It abides in the heart by faith, which those convicted by God's Spirit and grounded in truth are to keep praying for rather than relying on self-righteousness.
Its bright beams of heaven lift the soul from spiritual darkness when God's presence and eternal realities are kept in view, bringing gladness and assurance.
When received its light is seen in righteousness, meekness, long-suffering, patience and love, but spiritually blind people do not receive it or bear its fruits, a cold stern heart not receiving its softening beams while where He abides love springs from within in action, selfish bitterness dimming it, and those idolizing self and losing first love turn light to darkness like a dark room though called to courtesy, kindness and sweet atmosphere.
Living in its clear, life-giving light is an experience of the Lord's Spirit.
Working in its light means making up one's own deficiencies and glorifying God to carry the church forward and upward with clear separation from the world, keeping His principles in daily life-practice lest profession misrepresent His example and lack reviving hopes and helps.
Its rising makes His love and excellencies clear to hearts, bringing repentance of lukewarmness with confession and restitution as delights in Him are seen.
It shines clearly with truth as it is in Him bringing a pure spiritual atmosphere by the Holy Spirit, while unbelief, doubt, strife and man-ruling hide it and sown doubt may take deep root never again to discern clearly.
Its beams shine directly under the shadow of the cross, so standing under the cross places a person directly in its light.
It ever shines to impart life and vitality and to give grace for grace, and believers are to walk not in the shadow of the cross but in the path where He shines, where the cross is a pledge of forgiveness, righteousness, peace and fullness of joy.
Its bright beams represent His love, which the sinner needs in order to be saved, shining into the thirsty heart as the sinner looks to Him who died to make pardon possible.
It dispels the cloud caused by sin from wrong principles and selfish conduct over God's institution, calling for repentance with sins blotted out.
Its bright beams are received by humbling the heart before God, are worth more than money or human approval, and open eternal realities.
Its light and love bring hope and life to those who fear God which Satan seeks to block and weaken, but He keeps pouring love into discouraged lives giving peace amid tribulation.
Its life brings light and healing to those who turn to Him, and looking to Him brings peace and happiness with His life within enabling people to see light in His light.
Its light clears away perplexity when God is seen as He is, bringing understanding though some things remain unknown until the life to come.
His people are in danger of becoming separated from it, and sanctification through obedience to truth conforms mind, soul and body to His life and keeps believers from entanglement with self and sin, in constant agreement with God through reliance, simplicity and meekness with soul kept open toward Him.
It drives darkness and mist from heart and mind, and those who receive this light recognize God's requirements and will rather than treating them as secondary.
Its bright beams soften and subdue the heart, and people need this spiritual light along with the moisture of the Holy Spirit, its rays of love melting the frozen heart and warming and softening hardness so others are seen and treated rightly.
It shines into heart and mind, bringing light to a person who trusts in the Lord.
His righteousness is as sunshine that sweetens and cheers the spirit, and depending on the Lord and turning the soul heavenward brings this encouragement.
He is the Sun on whom the eye must stay fixed instead of on self, for looking to self shows only weakness with no Saviour there while looking to Him gives victory, covering righteousness and cleansing, with trusting Him meaning walking by faith in the promises without waiting for feeling, held beneath by His hand, kept from being overcome or tempted beyond what can be borne, revealing the Father as tender, pitiful and compassionate with love greater than a mother's that never forgets.
Its light kindles mind and soul but can be dimmed or eclipsed by pursuing worldly success at the cost of honesty and integrity, and keeping it bright requires regularly searching Scripture and practicing its teachings with the heavenly standard in view, by which every point, method and principle is examined to discern what is holy and just and to follow His example.
Uplifting the soul to its bright beams means leaning heavily on God, letting nothing swerve the mind from Him, holding Him as hope and crown of rejoicing with joy and faith in the promises, trusting Him as helper and advocate before the Father as a child trusts parents, finding rest when perplexed and receiving utterance when needed as an experience of highest value, gathering His promises and love with mind turned to heavenly and eternal things in worshipful devotion.
Its heavenly light is to shine into the heart where spiritual renewal begins, and when the heart is opened the Holy Spirit becomes its wellspring of life enabling response to God's call.
It calls the repentant sinner to turn toward Him and seek Him in prayer trusting in His merits, with coming in sorrow and contrition bringing forgiveness and His righteousness as God receives the returning sinner with mercy rather than turning away, casting out idols and harmful indulgences and putting faith into practice.
As perfect Saviour He shines bright beams into the soul, and when changing circumstances tempt to look on the dark side with unbelief and doubt, opening the soul heavenward shows God's love and keeping power unchanged, with drawing near to God bringing His nearness and a standard against Satan so faith stands trial without wavering.
Its healing beams are to be grasped, valued, lived and practiced.
Dwelling in the heart He dispels the mists of selfishness and sin, His light cannot be hidden or grow dim but grows brighter daily, so true religion must shine outward and not be kept for oneself alone.
It calls for choosing to walk in the light, where walking means letting divine truth purify and refine the soul, while rejecting it leaves one in the darkness of error.
It presents Him as Sun and chief cornerstone combining mercy and truth meeting and righteousness and peace kissing as beams of light, and believers and churches have worth only as living stones that catch those beams and give light in their proper place rather than remaining dead and lusterless.
His righteousness is as the sun, those who walk in it receive its light, and in that light truth unfolds and sanctifies, flowing into the heart when His character is kept in words and actions and complaints cease, making the one who fears His name a blessing to others.
True light comes from Him and not from human display or pride, and leaders should let His light shape their spirit and conduct to reflect His character in integrity, purity, and holiness, keeping souls open to His cheering beams as He proclaimed the Father's glory without self-exaltation, in meekness rather than domineering spirit.
A person can separate from Him as the true source of light and righteousness by long walking in the sparks of his own kindling, and that separation leaves him in wrong and sin and leads to betrayal of sacred trust and denouncing of divine work.
Opening the soul heavenward to receive the bright beams lets His light shine upon a person, uplifts and sanctifies the soul, and lifts against the enemy, bringing healing and life.
Looking to Him rather than dwelling on others' faults brings hope and faith, and divine transforming power can change a morally polluted sinner into Christlike character and a partaker of the divine nature.
Its bright beams are truth and experience gathered by faithfully improving the past, and opening the heart's door to welcome Him as guest and teacher keeps one from vanity and opens truths in the Word scarcely comprehended in their native beauty as a lasting treasure.
He shines in the darkened chambers of the mind, and this light belongs to knowing and loving Him.
He reveals Himself in the heart through the Holy Spirit as bringing light and healing to the soul, with His light radiating from God's throne and entering the open heart as the softening, subduing influence of the Holy Spirit, meaning wholeness of restoration obtained at His cross by laying down self-sufficiency without delay and opening the heart so character becomes kind, condescending, and courteous.
Worldly habits, pride, selfishness, and misplaced ambition keep that light from view and hinder growth in grace and knowledge of God and Him, for pride and self-focus hinder receiving His love while forgetting self and living for Him brings gladness.
It is applied to the hope that the Spirit's subduing power will melt prejudice and lead a person to receive spiritual truth through warm, blessed rays reaching the heart.
Turning to Him humbles a person about himself and makes clear the soul's value, measured by the offering made to save the world.
Standing in His bright beams leaves no room for any earthly or selfish motive to live, the heart must be passive and susceptible like clay in the potter's hands to receive divine impressions, and if such motive is given place renewal in the divine image cannot take place, for catching His beams means turning from selfish motives and becoming one with Him.
Its shining into heart and mind brings spiritual light, connected with walking humbly with God and trusting Him and being filled with light.
Its presence is to pervade the soul when it is opened to welcome Him.
He is the source of bright light for the heart, which cannot shine within when He hides His face, and an abiding truth and a heart made right are needed to receive it.
The light radiating from the Saviour illuminates the mind when a person reaches out to Him in faith.
Its shining into mind and soul brings the light of truth and God's blessing to those who hear it.
To receive His bright beams is to place oneself where He can sanctify soul and spirit.
Its light must be received by faith on the sufficient evidence God gives without demanding every reason be explained, and refusing to walk in it leaves the mind in darkness and unbelief.
Its steady, invigorating beams keep all spiritual faculties alive, and staying under them means working in God, consecrated and Spirit-guided, keeping first love, and refusing self-strength and self-judgment, for without Him nothing can be done.
Its shining is the light of salvation to be walked in by faith looking to the cross on the evidence given without waiting for every mystery to be explained, as illustrated by bitten Israelites who had to look and live lest doubting and questioning leave them to perish in darkness.

Transformed Character and Life

Turning to Him lets heaven's light develop character into His likeness, bringing pardoning grace that changes a dark path into one bright with hope and makes duty a delight and sacrifice a pleasure. As the heart rests on Christ He comes like life-giving rain and sunshine to a plant, causing growth up into Him as Head and bearing much fruit to God's glory. Those who keep the mind stayed upon Him receive healing, opening the heart to the Holy Spirit and constantly relying on Him as personal Saviour while cooperating with divine agencies. The risen light calls the church to advance, growing in grace and knowledge of the Son of God until reaching full spiritual maturity, a privilege and duty making wholehearted dedication effective in any occupation.

Those who receive the bright beams reflect them steadily through good works, pure lives and the graces of the Spirit, making God's worthy character visible and exerting an influence that leads others toward heaven. Only after receiving by faith can they impart, the Spirit working transforming power within, and this inward light distinguishes even the physician who loves and fears God, leading the suffering patient to Christ as personal Saviour and turning from material things toward eternal realities. The light enlightens hearts and pathways and dispels darkness, leading the truly converted soul to live and work for God rather than exalt self, holding forth the beauty of holiness and demonstrating the power of Christian religion. This reflection shines in works of mercy and love, as medical missionary work brings rays of heavenly brightness to wearied, perplexed, suffering souls.

His bright presence brings healing that creates kindness and love in the heart, first cherished in the family and then extending outward to the church and the world. His life is the perfect example of genuine courtesy, and His meekness and care for children show how parents should bring children to Him for instruction and discipline. When sought in prayer and welcomed, He shines into mind and soul bringing light, life, peace and joy, working entire transformation that sanctifies every word and action so the Holy Spirit is no longer grieved and words in the home no longer cause unhappiness. His genial, glad rays show God is love, shaping a mother's tenderness joined with patience, discipline and justice to make the home sunny and holy, and shaping home conversation to replace suspicion with cheer.

Those who receive His presence should praise Him with heart, soul and voice and keep a cheerful spirit rather than letting despondency or dissatisfaction hide His light. His brightness can turn even a dark cloud into gold because God's glory is upon it, and its rays penetrate clouds and darkness to dispel gloom with assurance of His love. Turning from the dark side to face the light lets brightness shine into the heart to be reflected, bringing out of gloom and despair into trust, surrender and service, and genuine religion is marked by happiness, a cheerful countenance and ears open to the joyful voice speaking through nature. Those who constantly whine and complain, who think cheerfulness is sin and look only at what is dead and melancholy while shutting senses to beauty and joy, gather darkness to themselves when they could have this brightness and healing instead, yet every Christian's duty even in pain is to reflect it.

When good and evil war and the work advances slowly, refusing discouragement will see clouds clear and bright beams shine through Satan's mist in deliverance. Keeping faith fixed brings light and renewed appreciation of His presence, for His light may be hidden for a moment amid trials and perplexity but is not extinguished and will shine again to dispel spiritual darkness. He is a never-failing storehouse from which strength and courage can be drawn, while Satan continually casts his shadow athwart the pathway to hide the shining light, so faith must pierce through the shadow instead of looking at objectionable and discouraging features and giving way to despondency. Behind clouds He still shines with angels near, His glory shines most clearly in deepest gloom surrounding the oppressed and persecuted shielding from Satan, and opening the heart to Him belongs with cheerful, active service in His cause.

His tender care brings healing and peace, and He is peace and assurance forever with efficiency and inexhaustible fullness at the command of those who study the Word, look constantly to Jesus to be changed into His image, and walk before God in humility and contrition. His nearness brings the light and comfort of His presence with mercy that can be felt and rejoiced in even amid affliction, sweeping gloom away and relieving burdens. Looking to Him through discouragement and trouble brings confidence that He is a present help and Saviour, with present affliction brief in view of eternal glory to come. His light and blessing with mercy, hope and assurance welcome truth and expose error while rejecters grow bolder, and as received His words become thankful praise revealing His matchless goodness and leading to love and fear God.

Youth must turn to Him as a flower turns to the sun to perfect its beauty and symmetry, letting heaven's light shine upon them to perfect character and give deep and abiding experience in the things of God so they can reflect divine rays upon others. Those who instead choose doubts, unbelief and skepticism experience no growth in grace or spirituality and are unfitted for bearing truth to others. Teachers must receive light by beholding Him and keeping living connection with Him under discipline in His school, self-controlled and representing His character at all times, then shed it upon children and youth to form right habits under the direct influence of the Spirit. Parents should help children turn toward His bright beams by example and instruction that His spirit is a spirit of doing good, placing them where light shines through the commandments with gentle corrective influence rather than anger, shaking or striking, for harsh treatment never converts but degrades.

It illuminates the path of the just so those who walk in it do not remain in darkness, shining from heaven upon the only path that can be traveled with hope of reaching safety. Choosing this path means following God rather than turning away because it is separate from the world or conflicts with self-love and selfish ambition, pressing on in the illuminated way by receiving strength from the Life-giver and obeying His commands. As they move forward His light shines on the path and His strength sustains them, carrying them from strength to strength and grace to grace until by obedience they become more Christlike, lifted from the low place where sin left them to the loftiest heights of grace. The light reveals the pit of destruction into which men have been plunged by sin and points to the safe path so plain that the wayfaring man though a fool need not err therein, leading willing people upward step by step, and because it is given to be used in seeking and saving the lost, followers as learners are to enter practical saving work quickly.

Those who sow kindness, love, faith and courage rejoice in its bright beams as they travel the upward way, anticipating the eternal reward at the great gathering day. Those connected with these beams can do all things through God's help in His saving work. Its holy influence was seen in a believer who rose from collapse with shining face and renewed faith in testimony, and in bright countenances of people whose hearts were blessed after praying in faith and experiencing the Lord's presence. Those who look to Him and receive His light gain in this life the characteristics that make a heaven here below, their lives radiant as they show love and kindness, uplift the oppressed and rescue the perishing to reflect the Lord's glory.

It brings healing and renewal as God goes before those who trust Him implicitly to lead and guard their way and guide His work. To live in its light and healing is to rely on Christ and live as a cheerful Christian, with trials received in the right spirit benefiting the believer and developing virtues seldom grown in prosperity. Its bright beams dispel the mist, fog and darkness of suffering and discouragement, and looking to Him drives darkness away and gives happiness with blessed assurance of being His child. His light meets the afflicted sufferer with personal comfort, because He is afflicted in affliction, understands pain, is touched with infirmity, succors the tempted, redeems by His own blood and holds His own graven on His hands, and turning to Him rather than dwelling on grief and gloomy thoughts allows His healing as balm and restorer to reach the troubled soul.

Its bright beams shining in the believing heart give peace and rest and fullness in Christ, a new spiritual life and abiding in Him with heart, mind, flesh and will made wholly the Lord's and alive unto God as substance and fountain of life. Its shining gives a living sense of God's presence, favor, protection and preserving care under One who never slumbers nor sleeps, in whom the believer lives, so every step, every beat of the heart and every motion of the pulse is the action of His power. It shines bright rays into hearts that look up in prayer and belief, driving away Satan's cloud of false disagreeable misrepresentations and gloom placed in the heavenward pathway, enabling receivers to talk faith and brightness and shine as lights while God proves and tries them. Its bright presence dispels spiritual darkness and strengthens sufferers pressed by temptation, bringing comfort and sweet communion with God in trouble and hope and courage among gathered believers.

Its shining in the heart brings inward well-being that remains even when outward conditions are gloomy and rainy, so no outward gloom can make the person sad. Its light reaches believers even amid trials and spiritual darkness, and faith in Him as personal Saviour enables them to walk in that light and defeat the powers of darkness. Its presence brings joy and gladness like sunlight entering a dark room, and opening the heart to Him brings happiness. Its bright rays give assurance and consolation to every soul that receives Him, but when deeply shadowed in trouble it is because Satan has placed himself between souls and those rays so brightness is eclipsed and assurance seems withdrawn.

Looking at self and at the shadow keeps from seeing the consolation, leading to complaint and letting go of His hand, and dwelling in shadow with complaint deepens trouble. When God's favor breaks suddenly upon the soul the gloom is dispelled, and believers should live in sunlight and no longer dwell in shadow complaining of sorrows, accepting full and free forgiveness rather than dwelling on mistakes, with faith letting His joy dwell within. Its light floods the soul and helps make people cheerful and serene, alongside putting away intemperance and practicing self-denial. Its light exposes wrongdoing, and parents must come into that light, recognize danger in their wrong course, repent before God and call evil by its true name.

Its bright beams dispel darkness and bring comfort and joy to those who look to Jesus even amid pain and suffering. Its shining into the heart brings joy, peace, hope, courage, faith and the assurance and love of Jesus, replacing forced cheerfulness and murmurings, with even one ray dispelling darkness and expressing God's love within. In sorrow turning to this light means looking to God and to Christ rather than trying to resolve every difficulty at once, assured by the covenant rainbow beneath God's throne that the Father accepts those who receive mercy and rely on Christ's life and death, an assurance enduring as long as God's throne endures. Keeping the face turned toward Him pleases God and gives good courage so as not to be cast down in sickness, pain, trouble and anxiety, because the Lord is near, His mercy endures forever, and He is good.

Its light and warmth give the Christian life and growth, and abiding in Him the believer draws life from Him and develops Christlike character, showing the fruits of the Spirit and revealing His virtues to God's glory. This life is the Christian's winter, not summer, yet His sunbeams give inner light, cheer, happiness and peace, and true happiness comes not from surroundings or possessions but from within, from looking to Jesus as the light of life who lives and guides, so everything is viewed in a happy, cheerful light. Its clear light guides those who follow Him, leading willing people upward step by step. Its bright beams bring heaven's life and light to soften and subdue the heart's soil so love can grow, while weeds that would crowd out love must be removed.

Believers can live continually in His brightness instead of in the shadow of distrust Satan casts across the path, trusting God so trials prove a blessing and faith comes forth brighter, stronger and purer. The mind is trained to live there by choosing trust, talking faith and hope and speaking of His goodness, which shows more reasons to trust Him and more of His love to speak about, bringing hope in God who is the health of the countenance and lifting from coldness and discouragement toward purity and character. When its light shines into the heart there is joy in everything, and heaven's peace remains possible even for those who have lost time and are stunted in growth, for it is not too late to respond to His call. Looking to Him and catching His beams fastens hope upon the Redeemer and gives confidence even when disappointed by brethren, and His light is not to be hidden but every ray is to shine out in open praise in the church, with singing that praise strengthening confidence to trust Him.

He shines light on the pathway, but Satan continually casts his shadow across it to obstruct faith and eclipse that light, an opposition that will never cease while the world progresses in wickedness. Faith must not stagger at the shadow but cleave through it to the light, resting not on feeling but on truth. The resulting difficulties drive believers to seek counsel from the One infinite in wisdom who loves to be sought and trusted, through which true saints are purified and made white and tried.

Practical Mission and Service

Malachi 4:2 presents Christ as the Sun of Righteousness whose rising brings healing to those burdened by sorrow, suffering and sin, taking away burdens and giving rest, and His servants reveal Him by helping, blessing and healing others to bring souls to Him as Restorer and great Restorer for souls sick with doubt and tired of worldliness and unrest. Physicians only attempt while Christ is life illuminating the mind, caregivers are to point the sick to the blessed One, and united gospel and medical work carries His healing light of salvation to darkened regions in sin and death to prepare the world for the second advent, with receivers becoming light-bearers. The verse applies to placing schools, sanitariums and other institutions in pleasant natural settings away from the dark clouds of sin over great cities where nothing blocks healing, and the more closely this is followed the more wonderfully God works to restore suffering humanity.

Gospel workers receive light from Christ as the Sun of Righteousness and must live day by day, hour by hour in the channel of that light, devoting much time to prayer and staying connected with God in the love of Christ as those who watch for souls and labor together with God. They must receive His bright beams before they can succeed, for they are not authorized to preach apart from the Holy Spirit but like those commanded to wait at Jerusalem must wait to be empowered from on high, since preaching and theory alone cannot sanctify or bring success but when the Spirit comes truth becomes powerful to sanctify receivers. Drinking deeper draughts from the well of salvation and partaking of the divine nature to enter into the spirit of Christ's teachings lights faces before entering the pulpit to vindicate God's law, puts glowing divine truth in the breast, removes tame preaching, kindles others' hearts, and where workers are thus connected there is continual growth in every church and diffusion in churches, villages, cities and among the people. Daily communion strengthens teachers to win souls, and true teachers turn faces to the Sun rising above base things into atmosphere free from spiritual and moral defilement, giving meat in due season, giving no sanction to low living, having faith working by love purifying from carnal thoughts, refusing earthliness and bondage to men and Satan's temptations, and quitting themselves like men strong.

When Jesus Christ the Man of Calvary is lifted up higher and still higher as the sum and substance of preaching, sinners are converted and know what to do to be saved, and whoever draws nigh and beholds catches divine rays without trying and cannot help shining in clear bright rays of righteous words and works through indwelling grace and obedience. Such a one is stimulated to vigorous action by imparting what the Lord gives, becomes a light-bearer walking close by Christ gathering principles from His Word, doing good, comforting the downcast, guiding wandering feet in the narrow way, sweetening the bitter cup, and leading others to the Master to fight the Lord's battles. Spoken with freedom with Malachi 3:16-18 and 4:1 as a message to the church, the Spirit sets it home with power bringing deep feeling, confession of wrongs and great sin, asking forgiveness of the injured, change to a better Christian life, taking part with God's people, and decision to keep the Sabbath. Presenting full and free salvation to those perishing in ignorance and sin to bring complete renovation requires exercising every capability and talent of money or influence to uplift others and point out the remedy for sin and moral defilement while growing in grace, and the healing implants new life with fresh beauty and vigor making heavenly intelligences rejoice with singing. The gospel should carry the brightness and special radiance of His light, preaching truth as it is in Jesus and practical godliness through Christ's lessons, standing under the shadow of the cross to receive light by coming to Christ crucified and exalting the Redeemer above human science with praise to God and the Lamb.

The chapter applies to present trial and conduct of God's people entrusted with important work, who should show a kindly Christlike spirit and let light shine, meeting cases with blessing and encouragement to take heart and go forward in freedom. For those who fear God's name the Sun — Jesus — arises with healing and new life, as applied when Brother and Sister Daniels drew near through prayer and heartfelt confession and the Lord drew near, worked in them, and gave forgiveness, spiritual healing and victory. When they confess faults to one another and pray earnestly for one another and leave darkness, gloom and mist to stand where light can reach, Christ shines upon His people now, making them a blessing strengthening one another in most holy faith, cherishing principles that called them out to stand as God's peculiar people, and truthful to God and one another watching so He takes them when He comes in clouds.

Receiving God's light brings responsibility to let it reach others and warn neighbors to turn from sin to truth and righteousness, for the truly converted are not indifferent but bear fruit in Christian life. Its light is to reach places in spiritual darkness and its life-giving message shared with those lacking to bring salvation and new life, shining through His people to other lands revealing living truth and God's goodness, mercy and love, and illuminating people when united in earnest prayer with confessed sins and souls opened heavenward. Through His church His bright clear beams shine in all directions, she being complete in Him presenting His sufficiency and higher eternal laws, built as a temple after divine similitude measured by a golden rod from heaven with every stone hewed, squared and polished to shine as heaven's emblem, fed with manna, kept under grace, clad in armor of light and righteousness, entering final conflict with dross consumed while truth's sanctifying influence testifies.

Its rays give life quickening the devoted to bear much fruit to God's glory, and its beams as blessing and illumination strengthen the faithful and drive away moral darkness. Looking to Jesus as the Sun brings light so that with His life within people see light in His light, touching the heart's yearning for peace and happiness as the Spirit of life moves hearts to respond, and shining into receiving hearts brings peace and joy whose response is praise by consecrating self and all to Him. His righteousness as sunshine brightens servants in work and goes before them drawing others to behold Christ, and its bright beams strengthen and encourage those keeping eyes fixed on Him as a source of praise while pressing onward.

Turning the face to Him is true repentance as daily change of heart away from self-reliance, self-exaltation and own wisdom toward God, bringing strengthening quickening grace, spiritual progress, and continual cleansing and refining. The soul receives His bright beams by turning heavenward while closing to the world's harmful influence, supporting faith rooted in truth working by love purifying the soul, and placing self in the channel means rejecting influences strengthening wrong tendencies and receiving the Spirit's transforming work invigorating and rightly directing mental powers. Opening the mind heavenward lets Christ's bright influence in while turning from disagreeable experiences fostering unhealthy outlook.

Its bright beams must shine into the worker's heart in training for ministry and purify life, for heart preparation outweighs all mental culture or theological training, and only after this inward shining can light from God's throne shine through him to those in darkness. They must shine within to expel selfishness and worldliness instead of walking in sparks of own kindling, shining on the humble Spirit-filled worker so God's light reaches those in darkness, and must penetrate every moral chamber, for only humbling to the Word and that penetrating light breaks fog gathered through idolatry, covetousness, self-plans, self-exaltation, betraying truth for money or preeminence, spreading self like Nebuchadnezzar, binding with worldly men, and forsaking living waters. The beams are hidden by want of love and humility, self-lifting, high looks, vain speech, and fractious feeling-led words and acts, and are received through childlike simplicity trusting the Lord daily, living in Him, leaning whole weight on Jesus, trusting less to self and more to Jesus for full support, wisdom, grace and present help. Those shone upon lay self at the cross, accept Christ as all, consecrate mind and body, bring thoughts to Christ, keep in sunshine not shadow, trust soul-keeping to God, show cheerful faith, courage, Christlike dignity and holy solemnity without Phariseeism, refined affections pure in thought word act, putting away lightness, frivolity, cheap talk, jesting, talking light not darkness, refreshing minds by God's goodness, love and power instead of making souls forget God.

It is an image of God's bright presence in which a speaker for God may stand as though bathed, as Elder Corliss did, with dignity from knowing he spoke for God and trust in God rather than self. It shines into mind and soul of those connected with Christ's work with a new chapter reflected in brotherly love, pity, courtesy, tenderheartedness and forgiveness, strengthening rather than destroying and clearing the straight way, surrounding and strengthening those in the Lord's battle and revealing oneness with Christ, and when shining into chambers of mind and soul revealing what is within, accusing and demeaning cease. It shines forth in mercy and love seen in blessings followers share with the needy, and the sunshine of Jesus' love with brightness and joy of His presence as healing balm is to be shared with others.

Its beams go forth through means entrusted to God's agents into dark places, sent by giving money to sustain and advance His cause and arranging affairs so means keeps working after death rather than left to unbelievers who will not send truth, with sick and afflicted sharing as laborers by donating what was entrusted. It shows Christ as center of all love and light with each believer a beam from Him, the closer walking with Him the greater affection for fellow light-bearers, saints drawn to each other as drawn to Christ, sanctifying grace binding hearts so love for God requires love for brethren, while walking apart causes coldness, dissension and discord. The church receives His light and as it receives each ray becomes able to receive more, but yielding to Satan's outward influences dims light and zeal, while continuing to seek to know the Lord brings renewed light like morning, requiring open hearts and cooperation to advance in holiness, peace, rest and representation of Christ as an educating power.

Its beams flooding the heart opened heavenward make nurses and physicians cheerful and bright not discouraged, surround with praise, give pleasant sympathetic voice with no discouragement, and keep from breaking under overwork in caring for patients. Christ as Sun is the source followers receive from and reflect to others, their light not self-generated. Those receiving Him reflect goodness by love, sympathy, kindness, cheerfulness and happiness to others and remain cheerful amid difficult surroundings, and those flooded reflect by personal example, fervent charity, brotherly love and fidelity inviting to love and good works, with love and humility melting barricaded hearts, while those fearing His name abound in faith, love and devotion through gentle loving words and acts from warm love. God works only with willing hearts coming into harmony with Him, and then bright beams shine in to fit the soul for His highest purposes and are communicated to others. When light fills hearts it is shared in many ways including thoughtful care for workers in difficult fields.

Its image is applied to a person whose face shows God's blessing and to faces of those hearing and earnestly responding portraying Christ's presence and blessing, as when earnest prayer is heard and acceptance blesses hearts and faces reflect light, as with Elder Brown whose face shone after doubts were removed and faith confirmed, and with worshipers whose faces reflected heavenly light in a season of presence, blessing and joy. Its rising in the heart brings sunshine, warmth and Jesus' love overcoming cold unsympathizing religion, and those living close receive wise discrimination and soothing comforting influence to speak kind words at the right time throwing sunshine into minds and hearts. He is the source of light by which to walk, and living in it means examining life and work before God and seeking to lead others to Christ. Its light shining from the soul is naturally seen in words and lives of those serving Him.

Church members are to open soul windows to Him to be enlightened, warned and renovated and to reflect beams to others, not lip service with heart far from God and selfish exaltation denying Christ, but surrender of mind, soul and strength to serve with meekness, humility and joyfulness witnessing to grace renewed daily as His blood-bought possession worked by His Spirit. He sends bright beams into hearts looking by faith to heaven's hidden glories, giving light from His throne so they have no desire to turn from their source of light to Satan's messengers. Its bright beams entering mind and heart heal petty complaints and accusations and melt prejudice, applying its healing to the Spirit's work bringing unity and brotherhood in this life and purifying thought to open the heart. Believers meet and commune with Him at the Lord's table with hearts open and minds fixed on Christ as great Center of eternal hope, standing not in shadow but in saving light of the cross with hearts cleansed by His blood in consciousness of His unseen presence.

He sends bright beams making souls aglow and none should rest till full, and receiving means walking in it, diffusing it, flashing it on others' pathways and leading out of darkness, while those making no use lose what they have and like privileged Capernaum unless responding are left in complete darkness not knowing what they stumble over. Its bright beams shining into the opened heart give knowledge of God and communion of the Spirit, kindle burning love for Jesus, and cause His image reflected in life. Its bright beams shine from Calvary's cross, and His mission from heaven's throne to the world from manger to cross contains the principle of every mission, so those standing under the cross's shadows catch beams not to keep but to flash upon souls and dark pathways even to earth's ends. Receiving His light and grace calls for gratitude and courteous loving conduct toward God as people are taught politeness to one another. Its shining brings reviving influence molding character and purging wrong influence from unsanctified associations, which for Elder A. T. Jones required separating from the Review and Herald Office and managers, going to California to different associations, working in rich lines with responsibilities under close watch, prayer, counsel, encouragement and kind treatment never left alone till Christ's molding was done and he discerned the wrong.