As unto a light that shineth in
a dark place - That is, the prophecies resemble a candle, lamp, or torch, in a
dark room, or in an obscure road at night. They make objects distinct which
were before unseen; they enable us to behold many things which would be
otherwise invisible. The object of the apostle in this representation seems to
have been, to state that the prophecies do not give a perfect light, or that
they do not remove all obscurity, but that they shed some light on objects
which would otherwise be entirely dark, and that the light which they furnished
was so valuable that we ought by all means to endeavor to avail ourselves of
it. Until the day shall dawn, and we shall see objects by the clear light of
the sun, they are to be our guide. A lamp is of great value in a dark night,
though it may not disclose objects so clearly as the light of the sun. But it
may be a safe and sure guide; and a man who has to travel in dark and dangerous
places, does well to "take heed" to his lamp.
Until the day dawn - Until you
have the clearer light which shall result from the dawning of the day. The
reference here is to the morning light as compared with a lamp; and the meaning
is, that we should attend to the light furnished by the prophecies until the
truth shall be rendered more distinct by the events as they shall actually be
disclosed - until the brighter light which shall be shed on all things by the
glory of the second advent of the Saviour, and the clearing up of what is now
obscure in the splendors of the heavenly world. The point of comparison is
between the necessary obscurity of prophecy, and the clearness of events when
they actually occur - a difference like that which is observable in the objects
around us when seen by the shining of the lamp and by the light of the sun. The
apostle directs the mind onward to a period when all shall be clear - to that
glorious time when the Saviour shall return to receive his people to himself in
that heaven where all shall be light. Compare Revelation 21:23-25; Revelation 22:5.
Meantime we should avail ourselves of all the light which we have, and should
apply ourselves diligently to the study of the prophecies of the Old Testament
which are still unfulfilled, and of those in the New Testament which direct the
mind onward to brighter and more glorious scenes than this world has yet
witnessed. In our darkness they are a cheering lamp to guide our feet, till
that illustrious day shall dawn. Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 13:9-10.
And the day-star - The morning
star - the bright star that at certain periods of the year leads on the day,
and which is a pledge that the morning is about to dawn. Compare Revelation 2:28; Revelation 22:16.
Arise in your hearts - on your
hearts; that is, sheds its beams on your hearts. Until you see the indications
of that approaching day in which all is light. The period referred to here by
the approaching day that is to diffuse this light, is when the Saviour shall
return in the full revelation of his glory - the splendor of his kingdom. Then
all will be clear. Until that time, we should search the prophetic records, and
strengthen our faith, and comfort our hearts, by the predictions of the future
glory of his reign. Whether this refers, as some suppose, to his reign on
earth, either personally or by the principles of his religion universally
prevailing, or, as others suppose, to the brighter revelations of heaven when
he shall come to receive his people to himself, it is equally clear that a
brighter time than any that has yet occurred is to dawn on our race, and
equally true that we should regard the prophecies, as we do the morning star,
as the cheering harbinger of day.
“....The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light
to the eyes.” (Psalm 19:8).
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my
path....The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the
simple” (Psalm 119:105,130)
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