The Lesser Light (probably not what you are thinking)

Revelation 12 begins with a description of a virtuous woman symbolizing the church.  It says of her that she was “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet” (Rev 12:1).  What does this mean?  We know from Genesis 1 that the sun is the greater light and that the moon is a lesser light.  Jesus is also represented as the greater light. 

Matt 4:16 – the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned. 

John 1:9 – The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 

John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.” 

Jer 84:11 – For the Lord God is a sun and shield. 

Rev 1:16 – His face was like the sun shining in full strength. 

Mal 4:2 – The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. 

Thus, we see that the church is clothed with Jesus.  Because clothing represents character, the church is to be clothed in the character of Jesus.  It is supposed to represent to the world the character of Jesus in both its behavior and teaching. 

Jesus is the finest and most perfect representation of the Father and the example of how Christians are supposed to live.  He taught us the plan of salvation that was put into place before the foundation of the world, but we humans somehow missed it until Jesus made it plain in His earthly life.  So, how do we learn about the character of Jesus and the salvation He brought us?  Today, 2,000 years after Jesus ascended, we have the Bible.  The Bible is the lesser light that tells us what Jesus was like and what He taught.  It is lesser because it is an indirect method of learning about Jesus.  It is lesser because it is the result of a joint partnership of the Divine and the human.  Thus, it is fitting that the church stands (“under her feet”) on the Word of God; it is the foundation of the church. 

Ps 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 

Few today, even among professed Christians, give heed to the Bible.  Christians want it taught to them in Sabbath/Sunday School and sermons, but few want to study it for themselves.  Yet, it “contains all the principles that men need to understand in order to be fitted either for this life or for the life to come.” (Ed 123).  Some say that it is too hard to understand.  Yes, it can be challenging.  It must appeal to people of varied backgrounds and intellectual capacity.  However, everyone can understand the Bible basics.  Furthermore, the more one studies, the more one is empowered to grasp the deeper concepts. 

Ed 123 – The most valuable teaching of the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort. The truths that go to make up the great whole must be searched out and gathered up, “here a little, and there a little.” 

By studying God’s Word, we come into connection with its infinite Author.  If the mind is solely occupied with common, everyday matters, it becomes diminished and enfeebled.  When the Bible is embraced as the way to eternal life, we become empowered to live a more fruitful life here on Earth.  We learn to embrace the culture of Heaven.  We become more intellectually capable of understanding the mysteries of God revealed in the Bible.  Jeremiah said of God, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3). 

There is profit for every one of us in studying the Bible.  I don’t understand everything I read in the Bible.  Even the four gospels contain things difficult for me to grasp.  But there is much value in reading and rereading it, consuming what we can and patiently waiting on the Lord for those things we don’t understand.  It really is a life and death matter to be immersed in the Lesser Light that God very meticulously put together for us so that we might understand and be saved by the plan of redemption.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you as you study. 

2 Tim 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.