Lesson #1: DEEP DARKNESS ON THE EARTH
Deep spiritual darkness is covering the earth like the plague of thick darkness that came over the land of Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23). This darkness is such that it can be felt by the people because of the sins of the world that have so grieved the Holy Spirit. Darkness makes people unable to see, but deep darkness makes people unable to see nor move. In darkness the works of the flesh increase, but in deep darkness the works of Satan increase. In darkness people are distressed, but in deep darkness people are terrified. In darkness people are paralyzed, but in deep darkness people are destroyed.
Lesson #2: THE LIGHT OF GLORY UPON THE CHURCH
What will happen to the church when deep spiritual darkness is covering the earth and the people? Will they also be in darkness? No, the church will have light like the children of Israel had light in their dwellings when thick darkness covered the land of Egypt. Why? Because the Lord will arise over the church and His glory will be seen upon them. Whenever Satan does something evil, God will always do something good to overcome it. Prophet Isaiah declared, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him." (Isaiah 59:19) So, as deep darkness has come in all the earth covering the people, the light of glory also has come from heaven upon the church in the earth to overcome this darkness.
Lesson #3: THREE LEVELS OF GLORY
How will the church shine as the glory of the Lord? The apostle John wrote about one of his visions that he saw when he was on the island of Patmos, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.” (Revelation 12:1) The woman actually represents the children of Israel, but it also represents the church. The moon, the sun and the stars at the three different places of her body represents the three levels of the glory of the Lord the church will reflect. The apostle Paul wrote, “There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.” (1 Corinthians 15:41)
Lesson #4: THE GLORY OF THE MOON
The moon shines at night. If there is no moonlight, the night will be very dark. In darkness people cannot see anything. They will not be able to move. They will feel lost and be afraid. But if the moon shines, the night will not be so dark. The moonlight may not be enough to enable people to see everything clearly, but it will help them see something and make some movement. It will give them some sense of peace and hope. The world is in deep spiritual darkness now. People cannot see what is happening and it is very hard for them to move. They feel lost and are afraid. This is the time for the church to shine as the moonlight to help them see something so that they can feel some peace and have hope. The dark night may not be over soon, but the moonlight that the church reflects will give peace to the people and keep them in hope. They will not be destroyed by the darkness. In practice, the church will shine as the moonlight by doing good works to the people. The Lord Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Lesson #5: THE GLORY OF THE SUN
The sun rises in the morning. When the sun begins to shine, the night is over and the new day dawns. Darkness disappears and light appears. People can see everything clearly and they can move freely. They will feel joyful and excited. From the moonlight the church will become the sunlight. When the moon shines, it does not remove the night. But when the sun shines, it removes the night and replaces it with the day. The light that the church reflects will not just give them some hope in the darkness, but will remove the darkness from the people completely. So, the church will arise and shine brightly like the sun. When this light comes into the lives of the people, they will have a new beginning. They will be full of joy and excitement. In practice, the church will shine as the sunlight by preaching the good news of Jesus Christ to the people. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)
Lesson #6: THE GLORY OF THE STARS
The stars are higher than the sun and shines more brightly than the sun. While the moon and the sun are set to give light on the earth, the stars are set to give light in the sky. So, the stars are not specifically set to give light to the earth. The destiny of the church is not just to be the light of the world like the sun, but to be the light of the heavenly places like the stars. The stars represent the angels (Isaiah 14:13; Revelation 1:20). The church will reflect the glory of the Lord in the heavenly places like the angels. Satan has his powers of darkness actively at work in the heavenly places. When the church shines like the stars, these dark powers will be destroyed and removed completely and nothing will stand between heaven and earth anymore. The kingdom of heaven will fully come on the earth. As the light of the world the church will overcome the darkness on the earth, but as the light of heaven the church will overcome the darkness in the heavenly places. When this happens, heaven will rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. In practice, the church will shine as the starlight by giving praise and worship to God. The prophet Daniel wrote, “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
Lesson #7: ARISE AND SHINE!
Now is the time the church must rise and shine as the light of the glory of the Lord. Thus, says the Lord, “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2) As the church arise and shine with the glory of the Lord, then what was prophesied will be fulfilled, “The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.” (Isaiah 60:3-5)
