CLOTHED IN LIGHT

DECEMBER 12, 2011

I addressed a news article concerning humans having a natural, visible glow in 2009. However, I did not add the verses to my article until now. The view I present is intended to answer possible questions, which may arise from Adam's fall, and to edify the reader, concerning the "glory" that awaits believers in the resurrection . It is not intended to be a test of faith or salvation.

NEWS REPORT JULY 23, 2009

Scientist have found that humans have a natural, visible glow (mostly in the face). An article in Yahoo News says that people give off a physical light. The amount of light varies with different people, and the light level is very small, but people do give off a physical light.

SHAME IN GARDEN

I have always thought it strange that Adam and Eve became ashamed of their nakedness (Ge. 2:25) after Adam sinned (eyes opened and they knew, Ge. 3:7). Their shame could not have come from their nakedness, but from the sudden exposure of their nakedness. The human body is not evil, nor is intimacy between a husband and wife evil, since that was the intent of God's design and command (Ge. 1:28). But there was something different about their condition after Adam's sin. Let me mention a couple of possibilities.

TWO POSSIBILITIES

First, they had been unaware of their nakedness until Adam sinned. This is not likely. How could an intelligent being not know that he was not wearing material attire? Some have suggested that it was the loss of innocence that caused them to realize their nakedness. This is not likely.

Second, they were previously aware of their nakedness (lack of material attire) but were not ashamed (2:25). However, being without material attire does not mean they had no covering at all. Along with the loss of their innocence, the first couple may have lost a supernatural, divine covering of light they had before the fall, leaving their nakedness openly exposed. It was not just the loss of innocence, but the loss of divine dignity that brought them their shame.

GOD'S RESPONSE

The couple hid themselves from God because their eyes had been opened and they knew they were naked (Ge. 3:10-11). This sudden and embarrassed awareness of their physical nakedness (Ge. 3:7) might be an indication that they were “clothed” or covered with something before Adam sinned. Though there is no Biblical statement that definitively addresses this question, the fact that God was also concerned about their physical nakedness after their sin (Ge. 3:21), and the fact that He acted quickly to cover them may indicate that the exposure of their nakedness was something new. Remember, God made the human body and said it was good (Ge. 1:31). However, just because something is good or even perfect does not mean that it is intended for public display.

GOD AND LIGHT

God Himself is clothed, covered in light. Since Adam and Eve were in the image of God, it is reasonable to think that they may have been covered or clothed in “garments” of light. To lose the image of God would include losing the glory (the light, the brightness) of God also. If they were originally covered in light, it was not to hide sin or shame, but to keep a certain level of privacy and dignity. Remember, the first couple were told to multiply and replenish the earth. There is no reason to believe that their intimacy would have been on public display. Likewise, their nakedness would not have been on public display. God hides some things because of the glory it has and not because of shame (such as Himself and knowledge).

God is clothed, covered in light. Sometimes the Bible uses imagery when it speaks about God, such as God having feathers (Ps. 91:4), and there is imagery in the God/Light concept. Though God does not have feathers, there is literal light associated with the Person and presence of God. God is robed, covered in light, not because He has any sin or flaws to hide, and He is not a physical man, He has no nakedness to hide. Likewise, the light that will cover believers in the resurrection will not be covering sins or flaws, since we will be finally redeemed and free of all shame.

In fact, the Bible says definitively, GOD IS LIGHT. It does not say He is a light or even the light, but rather HE IS LIGHT. This is similar to the Biblical pronouncement that GOD IS LOVE and, GOD IS SPIRIT. Of these three declarations, Light is the only one that is visible. We err if we think that “light” is only used in some figurative or philosophical way.

HUMANS AND LIGHT

Adam lost truth, knowledge and righteousness in the fall, but God restores these traits to redeemed men. We are restored to greater light, both metaphorically and supernaturally, in our resurrection, or our GLORIFICATION. After the resurrection, we shall be clothed in white linen, which is righteousness. White raiment is associated with brightness as well as purity. Adam lost our righteousness, our intended glory, in the garden, Jesus restores us to righteousness glorifies His bride.

ASSOCIATED WITH LIGHT

The Bible record tells us that supernatural, physical light is associated with God the Father and the Son, angels, Moses, Mount Sinai, Mount of Transfiguration, the Tabernacle, the Temple, the birth of Christ, the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Second Coming of Christ, Peter's Deliverance from Prison, Paul's Conversion, Tribulation Saints, Tribulation Angel. Consider these passages, where light is used in the normal and natural sense of the word, though the circumstances are not normal or natural.

MOUNT SINAI

The glory, light, brightness of the Lord covered Mt. Sinai.
Exodus 24:15-17
(15) And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.
(16) And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
(17) And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

GOD'S APPEARANCE

God is a glorious, brilliant light.

Exodus 33:22
(22) And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

MOSES' FACE

Moses' face shone with a glory, brilliance, light, after coming into contact with God.

Exodus 34:29-30, 35
(29) And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
(30) And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
(35) And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

GOD IN THE TABERNACLE

The glory, brilliant light of God filled the Tabernacle.

Exodus 40:34-35
(34) Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
(35) And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

GOD IN THE WILDERNESS

God revealed His glory, brilliant light, to the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 5:24
(24) And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.

GOD'S COVER

God covers Himself with light (as in, “Let there be light”).

Psalms 104:2
(2) Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

GOD WILL BE EVERLASTING LIGHT

The actual light of God's presence will replace the light of the sun and moon.

Isaiah 60:19-20
(19) The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
(20) Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

GOD IN THE TEMPLE

Just as the presence of God filled the Tabernacle with glory, brilliant light, so the presence of God filled the Temple with glory, brilliant light.

Ezekiel 10:4
(4) Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.

MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION

Jesus literally appeared before His followers as a brilliant, white light. His robe also glistened.

Matthew 17:2
(2) And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

ANGEL AT EMPTY TOMB

The face of the angle of the Lord, as seen by the guards, was like lightning and robes were white as snow.

Matthew 28:2-4
(2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
(3) His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
(4) And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

ANGEL AT NATIVITY

The glory, brilliant light of the Lord accompanied the angels at the birth of Christ.

Luke 2:9
(9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

CHRIST'S RETURN

While this may refer to the quickness of His return, it is reasonable that it should be accompanied with astronomical light.

Luke 17:24
(24) For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

JESUS PRAYED FOR FORMER PRE-INCARNATE GLORY TO BE RESTORED

John 17:4-5

(4) I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
(5) And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

ASCENSION

Acts 1:10

(10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

PETER'S DELIVERANCE

An actual light attended the presence of the angle of the Lord, when Peter was delivered from prison.

Acts 12:7
(7) And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

PAUL'S CONVERSION

God stopped Paul in the middle of the day with a dazzling light, seen by Paul and his fellow travelers. However, the voice was heard only by Paul.

Acts 22:6-9
(6) And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about
noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
(7) And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
(8) And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
(9) And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

Acts 26:13-15
(13) At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
(14) And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

(15) And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

This passage indicates that the pure light of God is so bright that no man can approach or see it.

1 Timothy 6:15-16
(15) Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
(16) Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

JESUS IMAGE OF FATHER

Jesus is the brightness of the Father's glory, express image of His person.

Hebrews 1:3
(3) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

GOD IS LIGHT

This passage actually says God is light, rather than comparing Him to light.

1 John 1:5
(5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

THE RESURRECTED/GLORIFIED CHRIST

John describes the appearance the face of the glorified Christ as the sun shining in his strength.

Revelation 1:16
(16) And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

TRIBULATION SAINTS

The Tribulation Martyrs will be given “white robes.” (Remember the Transfiguration, the Empty Tomb and the Ascension).

Revelation 6:11
(11) And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Revelation 7:9
(9) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

TRIBULATION ANGEL

The angel from heaven gave light to a world in darkness.

Revelation 18:1
(1) And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

NEW JERUSALEM

John saw that the New Jerusalem would be lighted by the very presence of God.

Revelation 21:23
(23) And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Revelation 22:5
(5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

COLLATERAL PASSAGES THAT MAY HAVE DOUBLE MEANING

The following are passages that apparently use the imagery of light, however, the ultimate manifestation of actual light cannot be discounted. I say this because sometimes God's revelation has a double meaning. It could be that God chose to use the imagery of light because light will attend our future state.

JOB'S PROMISE OF RESURRECTION GLORY

Job 11:17

(17) And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

THE WICKED LOSE THEIR LIGHT

Job 18:5-6

(5) Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
(6) The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.

THE LIGHT OF THE RIGHTEOUS INTENSIFIES

Proverbs 4:18-19

(18) But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
(19) The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Proverbs 13:9
(9) The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

MESSIANIC PROMISE

Isaiah 60:1-3

(1) Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
(2) For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
(3) And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

GARMENTS OF SALVATION

Isaiah 61:10

(10) I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

SAINTS RAISED TO LIGHT

Daniel 12:2-3

(2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
(3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

RESURRECTED SAINTS IN MILLENNIUM

Matthew 13:43

(43) Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

HIS LIFE IS LIGHT

John 1:4-5

(4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
(5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

FATHER OF LIGHTS

James 1:17

(17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Launch Out and Hold Fast,

Pastor David L. Gould