During the Feast of the Tabernacles the great golden candlesticks within the temple complex would be lighted. They made a brilliant display of light, and Jesus apparently took advantage of the situation to declare, "I am the light of the world."
"His hearers well knew that their Messiah should stand as a light to all men; that is, they knew that he as the very source of light and truth, would stand forth as a light, an example, a dispenser of truth; they knew that his would be the mission to mark the course and light the way which all men should travel. (3 Ne. 15:9; 18:16, 24.) Messianic prophecies given to their fathers promised that he would be 'a light to the Gentiles' (Isa. 49:6), a light piercing the darkness of error and unbelief. (Isa. 60:1-3.) Jesus' application of these prophecies to his own person was a clear proclamation of his own Messiahship and was so understood by his hearers." McConkie, DNTC, 1:452-53.)
Further scriptural information about how Jesus is the light of the world is found in the Doctrine & Covenants Section 88:6-13. His light gives life and light to all of His creations.
"Christ is the light to humanity. In that light man sees his way clearly. When it is rejected, the soul of man stumbles in darkness. No person, no group, no nation can achieve true success without following Him who said: 'I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.' (John 8;12)" (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1940, p 15.)
I think that the political and environmental issues of today are good examples of what happens when people lose sight of Jesus as the light of the world. We've been hearing about "global warming" for a number of years, how carbon emissions are raising the temperature of the earth, and in order to save it, we must reduce our "carbon footprint" by limiting or changing our technologies and way of life. I don't deny that we should take care of the earth by keeping it clean and using its resources wisely, but to think that puny man has control of the temperature of the earth is ludicrous. All the hype is just a way for Godless, greedy, power-hungry men and organizations to gain control of the lives of us common people and to slap us with more taxes. Just recently someone hacked into the networking system of one of the large "global warming promotion" centers in Europe and discovered many, many e-mails exposing that they have been lying and altering the facts about global warming. Scientists have not proven that the temperature is rising, as is being promoted.
But much of the public has fallen for the lies. They are blinded - walking in darkness - because they don't know or accept Jesus as the light of the world. They don't trust that He is in control of the earth's temperature and ability to support life. They don't realize that in spite of whatever controls are placed upon us by politicians, no methods of man are going to have any lasting effects on the life of this planet. The only way mankind can influence something that big is by the degree of righteousness or wickedness in which they are living. God blesses and protects a righteous nation, but as historically and scripturally proven, when a certain degree of wickedness is reached, destruction follows. According to prophecy, the temperature of the earth is going to rise higher than anyone can imagine before too long - when Jesus comes again and the wicked will be "burned as stubble." The only way to avoid that kind of "global warming" is for the nations to repent, recognize, honor, and obey Jesus as the light of the world - each and every one of us.
It's interesting that you posted this at this time. I've been so intrigued lately with "light and truth" and how the Son is litteraly just that. He gained it line upon line until he had a perfect knowlegde. I've been reading and re-reading scriptures that have to do with light and truth. I just fininshed D&C 93 which talks about how light and truth are intellegence, wich has always existed and not created and if we keep his commandments we will receive more and more light and truth line upon line as well until we are able to see His face and have knowledge of Him and His mysteries. I also like the scripture about how the earth obeys and gives of it's light freely and testifies of God. It got me thinking about the scripture that says let YOUR light so shine. We should also be obedient and let the light of Christ shine through us and testify of Him as does the earth. I know there's a LOT more to learn about light and truth...I've even read it suggested by Vaughn J. Featherstone that truth is actually tangable. I'm very interested in knowing more about this subject. Thanks for sharing.
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