The apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians and informed them, and us, that “they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunken are drunken in the night” (1 Thess. 5:7). If there was ever a word which might describe the spiritual status of our world today it is the word “darkness.” This is a kind of darkness that does not come with the setting of the sun but the rise of sin within the soul. It is spiritual and intellectual darkness. This darkness cannot be dispelled with electric lights, florescent bulbs, or light extravaganzas blinking on and off. This is the darkness of a Christless life. It is the darkness of ignorance and immorality. It is the darkness of enmity toward and separation from God. It is the darkness of wickedness, wherein is partying, drunkenness, adultery and wild abandonment. But most interestingly, it is a darkness that is chosen above light by the masses of humanity. People who are enslaved to this darkness actually love that darkness and do all within their power to avoid the light. Here is how divine inspiration describes it: “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, lest his works should be reproved. But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God” (John 3:19-21). Our Lord came to deliver us from darkness (Col. 1:13). And yes, it was the power of darkness that was temporarily given permission to bring about the crucifixion of our Savior. The mob that arrested our Lord and the forces of evil that led that mob to the Garden may have thought they were in control; that they had won the day. But it was only a brief “hour” granted unto them to help bring about the eternal purpose of God.
It has been more than thirty years since I had an opportunity to visit Las Vegas. Even as I drove down the “strip” so bathed in lights, and watched the crowds who were enamored with the glitter of the hour, my heart ached because of the countless thousands who wandered the streets with their spiritual eyes blinded by the brightness of the Las Vegas lights. Spiritually speaking, all men have their citizenship in one of two cities. They either live in the “Las Vegas” of this world, or the city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. I do not know who wrote the following, but I shall close with its clear and concise message: “If there were no other light in the world, I would let my light shine. If there were darkness everywhere, it would take only one small candle – perhaps mine – to begin pushing back the darkness. If there were no one to join with me in pushing back the darkness, I have a God-given obligation to do what I do to the best of my ability for as long as I can. If there were no one to walk in the light, but only the rumblings of those who curse the darkness from the shadows, my light will not be discouraged. If this were all there is to life, to knowledge, to relationships with our fellow man, then even the lighting of one candle with conviction is significant.”
By Tom Wacaster