We are to glow in the dark. There is more to this than
phosphorescent paint. We are to radiate light from our eyes. That sounds very
science fiction, but the reality is we cannot truly see due to our limited
visual spectrum. We are limited to seeing a range of colors and visible light,
but other creatures can see more than we can. What do we really look like? Can
we really see our true selves? We have some clues and glimpses from the Bible
concerning our emanation of light. This is not in regards to what we can see as
compared to being blind, but it is in regards to what Jesus sees when he looks
at us. Something proceeds out from us which is truly visible and perceivable.
Daniel records this regarding people in the future.
Dan 12:3 "'Men and women who have lived wisely and
well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And
those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars
forever. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in
Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
But what about today? Do we shine or glow now? How do we
manifest light? Jesus says this:
Matt 5:14-16 Ye are the light [5457] of the world. A city
that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15 Neither do men light [2545] a candle,
and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light [2989]
unto all that are in the house.16 Let your light [5457] so shine [2989] before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven. KJV
NT:5457 phos (foce); from an obsolete phao (to shine or
make manifest, especially by rays; compare NT:5316, NT:5346); luminousness (in
the widest application, nat. or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or
figurative): KJV - fire, light. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers
and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003,
2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:2545 kaio (kah'-yo); apparently a primary verb; to set
on fire, i.e. kindle or (by implication) consume: KJV - burn, light. (Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:2989 lampo (lam'-po); a primary verb; to beam, i.e.
radiate brilliancy (literally or figuratively): KJV - give light, shine. (Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Jesus tells us to manifest luminously. His comparison is
that a person doesn’t put a lamp or candle under a basket, but on top of a
stand to illuminate the home. Jesus then says that we are to let our manifest
luminosity radiate so that humans will see our good works and glorify the
Father in Heaven. What Jesus tells us is that we are illuminated, and he wants
others to notice light rays coming out of us. Jesus tells us where this light, phos, comes from.
Matt 6:22-23 The light [3088] of the body is the eye: if
therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light [5460].23
But if thine eye be evil [4190], thy whole body shall be full of darkness
[4655]. If therefore the light [5457] that is in thee be darkness [4655], how
great is that darkness [4655]! KJV
NT:3088 luchnos (lookh'-nos); from the base of NT:3022; a
portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively): KJV - candle,
light. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:3022 leukos (lyoo-kos');
from luke ("light"); white: KJV - white.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
NT:5460 photeinos (fo-ti-nos'); from NT:5457; lustrous,
i.e. transparent or well-illuminated (figuratively): KJV - bright, full of
light. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:4190 poneros (pon-ay-ros'); from a derivative of
NT:4192; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus
differing from NT:2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as
from NT:4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively,
calamitous; also (passively) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally)
culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief,
malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners:
KJV - bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked (-ness). See also
NT:4191. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:4655 skotos (skot'-os); from the base of NT:4639;
shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively): KJV - darkness. (Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Here we have a contrast that if our eyes are single,
meaning we are looking for one thing with our heart and mind, unified, our
entire body will be illuminated. The contrast is between eyes that are single
or eyes that are evil. If our eyes be evil then our body will be dark and our
light will be darkness and our entire body will be shady. That seems weird, how
can a luminous body be dark? Can a light shine dark beams?
An Aramaic translation reads
as follows: Matt 6:22 The beacon of the body is the eye; if your eye is thus
pure your whole body is bright 23 but if your eye is wicked, your whole body is
in darkness. If your light is thus murky, how much more your darkness! (Aramaic
New Testament, Victor Alexander, pg 18)
Most translations of these verses are rough as they seem
to imply that the eyes have a mind of their own. Instead the eyes are windows
into a person’s character, dark or light, and that character emanates out. If I
look into the eyes of a human, I should be able to see something more than corneas
and pupils. I should be able to see either life or death, light or darkness.
Your eyes tell people who you really are. The manifestation of the beams that
come forth from one’s eyes can be light or dark, if they are light the whole
body is light. But if those beams are dark the whole body is murky or shady.
This is not a matter of an individual who sees objects and can be blinded by
not understanding, but truly we can see into people’s hearts through the beams
that proceed out of their eyes.
It is not that the beams of light proceeding forth from
one’s eyes are only light, some beams can proceed forth from one’s eyes that
are dark if the person is pursuing evil. In our limited dimensionality we only
understand light dispelling darkness, not darkness that radiates into a
lightened place. In other words we don’t have lights that darken a room, as if
by turning on the switch the room goes dark, instead we turn off the switch and
the absence of light makes the room dark. However, as an illustration, we have
black lights. Black lights illuminate different things we cannot see because
they are ultraviolet wave lengths. If one desires to see germs or bodily fluids
on surfaces, by turning on a black light in a dark room, we see things
illuminated that are not normally seen with our eyes. Humans can see
wavelengths from 390 to 700 nm, birds can see ultraviolet light, and dogs and
cats can see in ranges that are darker than humans can see. Truly, human
eyesight is limited, but how do we see the beams, beacons, or wavelengths,
which are emitted from a person’s eyes.
If we look at the Old Testament, we see something called
the evil eye. Moses’ instruction to the Israelites is to give freely to the
brethren in need. They were not to think ahead that the seventh year, when all
debts are forgiven, is almost here and therefore the needy brethren won’t have
to pay back the debt. The people would not give to the needy close to the
seventh year because then debts would be forgiven; instead, they would give
right after a seventh year so that the people they gave to would pay back what
was given. God is warning the Israelites not to harden their hearts or close up
their hands. God equates a wicked heart and an evil eye (as in this case) with sin.
Deut 15:7-9 If there be among you a poor man of one of
thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth
thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor
brother:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend
him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.9 Beware that there be
not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of
release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou
givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto
thee. KJV
Jesus equates an evil eye with all sorts of sin. He says
that whatever comes out of the heart defiles a man.
Mark 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the
man, that defileth the man.21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 Thefts, covetousness,
wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. KJV
This tells us that what is on the inside of us, the
thoughts and intents of our hearts, comes out of us through the eyes. Proverbs
uses the same idea.
Prov 15:30 The light [3974] of the eyes rejoiceth the
heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. KJV
OT:3974 ma'owr (maw-ore'); or ma'or (maw-ore'); also (in
plural) feminine me'owrah (meh-o-raw'); or meorah (meh-o-raw'); from OT:215;
properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element):
figuratively, brightness, i.e.cheerfulness; specifically, a chandelier: KJV -
bright, light.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Moses wrote a psalm that tells us this light comes out of
our Lord’s countenance.
Ps 90:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our
secret sins in the light [3974] of thy countenance. KJV
Going back to our original idea that Jesus said we are
the lights of this world, what we see is that something springs out of us
through our eyes that reveals whether we are pure or evil. That wavelength,
either light or dark, then proceeds throughout our entire body, making our body
white and bright, or dark and shady. While we physically can’t see the beams of
light or dark coming out of one’s eyes because they are probably out of our visual
spectrum, birds and animals may see what radiates from people’s eyes, as well
as angels and demons.
We can say a person is blind, either literally or
figuratively, but that is in regards to what goes into the person, not what
comes out of a person. The question becomes how do we change what comes out of
our eyes from darkness to light. Mark 7 told us that what comes out of a person
makes that person defiled, but let’s look at that section again in the context.
The leaders were always fighting over the laws and putting people into bondage
to do certain things to be clean, Jesus was explaining that that is not
actually true. In fact Jesus himself shreds the notion that people can only eat
certain foods.
Mark 7:14-19 And when he had called all the people unto
him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:15
There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but
the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.16 If any
man have ears to hear, let him hear.17 And when he was entered into the house
from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.18 And he saith
unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that
whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;19
Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into
the draught, purging all meats? KJV
Therefore if one were to eat something from an unclean
animal, let’s say bacon, it would not make a person unclean because it does not
enter into his heart, but into the belly and goes out in the sewer. Foods go in
and out of a person, which does not make one clean or unclean. Jesus was
abolishing the law by teaching that eating something or drinking something does
not make a person clean or unclean. We read this in the Letter of Aresteas. The
law was not about animals, but the character of the animals that people were to
observe and either avoid or imitate. That letter was written three hundred
years before Christ came, so understand that from that time, 300 B.C. to the
time of Christ, the spiritual leaders changed procedures and observances. If
the people in 300 B.C. knew that certain foods did not defile a person,
something had to change during that time period to make people think food did
make people clean or unclean. If we look at the history of that time period, we
see the various groups rising up, the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and they are
the ones who changed the practice of the law, not the Levitical priests. Let’s
see this in the Amplified. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/05/ancient-understanding-of-law-abraham.html
Mark 7:19 Since it does not reach and enter his heart but
[only his] digestive tract, and so passes on [into the place designed to
receive waste]? Thus He was making and declaring all foods [ceremonially] clean
[that is, abolishing the ceremonial distinctions of the Levitical Law]. AMP
Now if we understand that being clean from within is not
derived from eating certain foods but instead from something else, we have to
determine what it is that causes us to beam light out from our eyes. Our heart has eyes. We studied this a while
back, the TR translates this word in Ephesians 1 as eyes of your understanding, while the NA27 translates this word as eyes of your heart.
Eph 1:18-19 The eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the
riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19 And what is the exceeding
greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his
mighty power, KJV
Eph 1:18-19 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with
light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you,
and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19
And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and
unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as
demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, AMP
We know that the heart has thoughts and intents, and that
it has eyes to perceive. That seems to align with what Jesus said about foods
not defiling a man because it does not reach his heart, instead what defiles a
person is thought up, perceived, and intentional, and that comes from the
heart. So if your heart is pure, white luminance radiates out of your eyes. But
if your heart is hurtful or evil, dark luminance radiates out of your eyes.
While we cannot see either the dark or light luminance, Jesus can. Daniel saw
an angel with eyes like lamps of fire. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2014/08/seeing-invisible-enochs-divided-time.html
Dan 10:4-6 And in the four and twentieth day of the first
month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;5 Then I
lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen,
whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:6 His body also was like the
beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of
fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice
of his words like the voice of a multitude. KJV
Jesus also had eyes like flames, which John
recorded.
Rev 1:13-15 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks
one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt
about the paps with a golden girdle.14 His head and his hairs were white like
wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;15 And his feet
like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the
sound of many waters. KJV
Rev 19:11-12 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white
horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire,
and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew,
but he himself. KJV
From Daniel and Revelation it is safe to say that there
is a spiritual dynamic of angels and Jesus having eyes that exude flames. What
about humans? Jesus said we are lights in this world, but who are our examples?
Moses seems to be a human example of someone whose appearance was changed after
being in the presence of God.
Ex 34:29-35 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with
the two tables of the Testimony in his hand, he did not know that the skin of
his face shone and sent forth beams by reason of his speaking with the
Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the
Israelites saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they feared to
come near him. 31 But Moses called to
them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and
[he] talked with them. 32 Afterward all
the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all the Lord had said
to him in Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses
had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when Moses went in before the Lord to
speak with Him, he took the veil off until he came out. And he came out and
told the Israelites what he was commanded.
35 The Israelites saw the face of Moses, how the skin of it shone; and
Moses put the veil on his face again until he went in to speak with God. AMP
Moses did not know that he radiated beams of light. The people
couldn’t look at Moses and so became afraid of him. Paul reiterates this, but
gives us further information. Paul compares Moses receiving the old
dispensation of the law to the new dispensation of the Holy Spirit and grace.
Again, as Jesus told us, the law was being mishandled and today we are in the
administration of the Holy Spirit.
2 Cor 3:7-8 Now if the dispensation of death engraved in
letters on stone [the ministration of the Law], was inaugurated with such glory
and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of
Moses because of its brilliance, [a glory] that was to fade and pass away, [Ex
34:29-35.] 8 Why should not the dispensation of the Spirit [this spiritual
ministry whose task it is to cause men to obtain and be governed by the Holy
Spirit] be attended with much greater and more splendid glory? AMP
The Israelites could not look at Moses, but now the Israelites
have hardened hearts and cannot understand both the law and the Holy Spirit.
Just as Jesus explained when he was on earth, and made his disciples to
understand, that what the spiritual leaders were doing was keeping parts of the
law and nullifying other parts of the law, or twisting the law to their
benefit. So that now, even today, two thousand years after Paul wrote this, the
law is still veiled to people, but when they repent and turn to Jesus the Lord
and Christ, the veil is stripped off and taken away.
2 Cor 3:13-16 Nor [do we act] like Moses, who put a veil
over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze upon the finish of the
vanishing [splendor which had been upon it]. 14 In fact, their minds were grown
hard and calloused [they had become dull and had lost the power of
understanding]; for until this present day, when the Old Testament (the old
covenant) is being read, that same veil still lies [on their hearts], not being
lifted [to reveal] that in Christ it is made void and done away. 15 Yes, down
to this [very] day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their minds and
hearts. 16 But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is
stripped off and taken away. AMP
The law does not change the countenance of humankind, but
the knowledge of Jesus as Messiah and Christ does. Look at what happened to
Stephen. Stephen was doing great miracles among the people and for the people,
and some Jews stirred up the crowds to falsely accuse Stephen.
Acts 6:3 Therefore select out from among yourselves,
brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the
[Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and
duty. AMP
Acts 6:5 And the suggestion pleased the whole assembly,
and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith (a strong and welcome belief
that Jesus is the Messiah) and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and
Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a
proselyte (convert) from Antioch. AMP
Acts 6:8 Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing and
favor) and power (strength and ability) worked great wonders and signs
(miracles) among the people. AMP
Acts 6:15 Then all who sat in the council (Sanhedrin), as
they gazed intently at Stephen, saw that his face had the appearance of the
face of an angel. AMP
Acts 7:55-56 But he, full of the Holy Spirit and
controlled by Him, gazed into heaven and saw the glory (the splendor and
majesty) of God, and Jesus standing at God's right hand; 56 And he said, Look!
I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at God's right hand! AMP
Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit, not the law. Stephen
was full of wisdom, faith, grace, power, strength, miracles, and controlled by
the Holy Spirit. This is why he looked like an angel. I don’t know how one can
explain the face of Stephen looking like an angel apart from the Holy Spirit. That
must be a clue as to what we cannot see with our natural eyes. Hollywood uses
digital imagery to show beams of light coming out of people in certain movies,
but according to what Jesus has told us, this really is what we look like all of
the time if our heart is pure. If we are united to Jesus as Messiah, light
radiates out from our eyes and our whole body is light. In this earthy life we
are not able to “see” the beams of light or darkness that proceed from each
other, but we can perceive it. We are radiating and manifesting light for Jesus
and if we are aware of this we can learn to grow our glow on earth.
