No one can deny that we live in difficult times. God has forewarned that such times of trouble would come. The prophet Isaiah writes, “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 60:2). I believe these are the days that were prophesied by Isaiah. The darkness Isaiah describes is the evil that we see permeating throughout the world today, and the deep darkness that overshadows humanity is supernatural and demonic in nature. We have lost our identification with love in these troubled times. Because of increasing trouble, empathy is disappearing from our hearts. We are withdrawing from the transparency of light to live in veritable darkness. But even in such deep darkness, by faith, you can have the light of life in your dwelling.
Could This be the End Times?
Gross darkness covers the world as love grows cold and evil people grow worse. We have lost our identification with love in these troubled times. Because of trouble, empathy is disappearing from our hearts as we withdraw ourselves from the transparency of light to live in veritable darkness. But even in such gross darkness, by faith, you can have the light of life in your dwelling.
There is a contrast between darkness and gross darkness. For example, it is dark at night, but if the stars are out, even though the night is dark, you can still see something of the world around you. But things are quite different in a cave. There, deep in the bowels of the earth, darkness is darker than dark. It is almost heinous. It is so dark, you can feel it. In such tenebrosity, you can’t see your hands, even if you placed them right in front of your face.
Anxious Worried People
God has forewarned us of these atrocious and wicked times of trouble that now traverse the entire world. He told us that we would experience extreme hardship just before the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Here is what the Bible says:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
Without a doubt, we live in perilous times. Iniquitous darkness has circumvented the whole earth. Trouble is all around and hate crimes are increasing, racism is flourishing, and even the faith of the faithful is under attack. Trust and love are dissipating and we don’t know who or what to trust anymore. The very people we trust to protect us have become our killers. Bud don’t despair, by faith you can be delivered from the power of darkness.
People are without empathy because they do not have the light of light in their hearts. While onlookers film police kneeling on a handcuffed man’s neck until his spirit leaves his body, they were still not apologetic for their actions. These are the kind of actions that let us know that we live in an evil day.
Is Transparent Darkness Consuming Light?
Gross darkness overshadows today’s world. There is a darkness that is darker than dark. The Bible speaks of darkness so dark, that you can feel it. In the ninth plague, when Pharaoh would not free Israel, Moses pronounced darkness on Egypt: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.’ So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings” (Exodus10:21-23).
I have pondered this story in the Book of Exodus for years without resolution. Why could the Egyptians not see in the darkness? Surely they had fire and torches, yet they could not see. Until recently, I could not understand why they could not see one another.
The darkness that descended on the Egyptians was supernatural. The Egyptians could not see because gross darkness covered their dwellings with darkness so dark it even penetrated their hearts. The reason they remained in darkness for three days is that they were unwilling to show empathy toward the people they were mistreating. The Israelites had light in their dwellings because God’s light of life covered them.
I believe God described the story in this way for our benefit today. We are experiencing trouble because of the effects of the supernatural darkness that covers the world. Today, the abnormal has become normal. Up is down and wrong is right; people don’t know how to react to the truth.
How You Can Have Sight In a Dark and Wicked World
The Bible tells us that our fight is not with each other; but with principalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this age. These powers and rulers of darkness are Satan’s demonic spirits. Although their induced darkness enshrouds our world, we don’t have to run around stumbling in the dark, fighting with each other. We don’t have to surrender to the dark spirits that are trying t control us.
Like the Israelites, you can have light in your dwelling. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Do you ever wonder why some people hate others even when they have no reason to hate them? It is because the light within them is darkness and they have not learned to see without sight. In Matthew 6:23, Jesus said it like this: “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Call to Christ
When the gross darkness that covers the world tries to overshadow you, turn on the light of life and let Jesus be your eyes. If you would like to know Christ as your personal Savior, just pray this simple prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You gave Your life a ransom for me, and You conquered death by resurrecting me from the grave. Today, I commit my life to You. Come into my heart and be the light of my life.”
I believe if you said that simple prayer, you are now in the family of God. I pray that Christ will guide you with His light of love and forever bless you. In Jesus’ name. Amen