You Are the Light of the World

Dear Brethren,

What do the Scriptures mean when they say that Jesus is the Light of the world?  What does "Light" mean?  And what are we to gather from the subsequent spiritual point, "You are the light of the world?" "While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light."  (John 12:36)

Why does God call us the "Children of Light?"  From a spiritual point of view, these are difficult days for all of us.  We might even say these are “dark days” for the Church, especially when we compare them to how the Church was during its "brighter" days.   But, let us never forget that we of Christ's spiritual community are never in darkness, as the world is in darkness, because we possess the Light"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."  (John 3:19)

The apostle, John, said of Jesus Christ, that He was the "true light. In him was life; and the life was the light of men."  (John 1:4,9)  Let's recognize that we must go through this time of testing, and keep our eyes on the True Light.  "Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)   "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."  (John 12:46)

Most of the readers of these Countdown letters were formerly members of the Worldwide Church of God in the 80’s and 70’s or even earlier.  We remember being able to look forward to attending Sabbath services each week with a fairly large number of people.  The Doctrine and practice being taught by the ministry was, for the most part, “of one voice”.  Members in general accepted that Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was used by God to raise up the Philadelphia era of the Church.

Back then, most brethren also accepted the fact that God had used Mr. Armstrong to restore a knowledge of the Truth as written in the Bible by the prophets and the apostles.  Although a few people and groups occasionally stopped attending with us, the Church was fairly stable.  For the most part, there was growth - sometimes fast growth as in the earlier days.  New people, who never had any former Church of God affiliation, were being called, and many were eventually baptized.  We were all taught to look to the Word of God.

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. " (Psalm 119:105)

The situation today for a new person who comes into contact with God’s Truth is vastly different.   When someone tries to learn more of God’s Truth today they encounter a veritable jungle of twisted doctrines and teachings.  "False Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."  (Mark 13:22)  How can a new person find a minister and community where they can be nurtured and grow spiritually?

Depending on which group a new person comes into contact with, he or she would have a pretty good chance of being taught doctrine that is quite different from that taught when the Church was basically on track.   Too many would not hear a balanced view of how Jesus Christ built His modern Work from the late 1930's to the mid 1980's.  They may likely hear the name of Mr. Armstrong either besmirched, or virtually worshipped.

How does a new convert today wade through all the different doctrinal stances and decide which one is the Truth?  How can a new convert tell who in the ministry has a valid message and lifestyle?  How could they discern the differences in doctrine in one group from that of the other groups?  How would they know whom to believe?  For that matter, how can the longtime brethren be assured that their ministers aren't compromising with God's Truth?

There is a principle that says a movement falls apart when it loses its leader. It was prophesied that the disciples would scatter at the death of Jesus - and they did.  Jesus, Himself, had to re-gather them.   "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." (Zechariah 13:7)

Who can see the Light today when there is no longer a single clear voice like a trumpet as there was when Mr. Armstrong was alive.  We are being scattered.  At the end-time harvest, there is another prophesied separation that is conducted by the angels at the direction of Jesus Christ to see who has let his light shine.  Those who have remained steadfast are the Children of the Kingdom.  Notice the separation:

"The field is the world; the good seedare the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; ... Let both grow together until the harvest:  and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn... Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."  (Matthew 13:30-:43)

We are in the period shortly before the Tribulation.  The Gospel message is not going out in great force as it once did.  Compared to those days, there exists a famine of the word.  We don’t know if God will cause events to happen that will again open the door for large numbers of new people to come into contact with His Truth or not.  "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:"  (Amos 8:1)

However for now, we can see that God is working with the people in His scattered Church by presenting them with choices.   How will we live our lives? What doctrines will we adhere to?  What standard of conduct will we accept among our leaders?  So when the days seem darkest, let's realize that this is indeed the time to let our light shine on what is truly important - holding onto the Truth, loving God and loving our neighbor.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. "  (Matthew 5:14)  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

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Sermon:  "Endure Unto the End"

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