20141103 Monday, November 3 2014
Job 24: The Light Of Darkness

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"

The name "Satan," from the Hebrew word pronounced saw-tawn, means blasphemer, or accuser. It is a term for what a once-righteous angel has become by means of his choice of behavior. "Satan" is actually an adjective ("a word that expresses an attribute of something") - much more than merely a personal name.

Satan's actual name, as recorded in the original Hebrew, is pronounced hay-luh-ale (see What Is Satan's Real Name?). It too was used as an adjective for his then-righteous behavior and wisdom. It is nevertheless still accurate for his appearance. Satan's light was only "put out" of the Presence of the LORD, not extinguished into visual darkness.

While he is now totally evil, the Scriptures say that Satan's appearance is still "bright" (see Satan's Masquerade) - as is those who serve him, whether they realize it or not (see Why Call Me, Lord, Lord, and Do Not The Things Which I Say?).

"11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV)

Satan's light was "put out," away from the LORD, because Satan chose to go away, and a way, from the LORD. Satan's putting out will be completed at the time of the Messiah's return - as prophesied by the Day of Atonement (see the Fact Finder question below).

"28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 28:16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee." (Ezekiel 28:13-17 KJV)

"14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." (Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV)

The Messiah's teachings directly addressed that spiritual light and spiritual darkness. Evil happens just as much in bright daylight as it does in the darkness of night. It was the very reason that the True Light came.

"4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:16-17 KJV)

"5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 KJV)

"6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23 KJV)

Job perfectly understood how and why evil light is "put out." Notice how he describes "light" that is "dark."

"18:5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. 18:6 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him." (Job 18:5-6 KJV)

Job's defense to his accusing friends (see Job's Inquisition and Innocent Until Proven Guilty) directly described the light of darkness versus the true light. In describing the evil ones, "For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death."

"24:1 Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days? 24:2 Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. 24:3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge. 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. 24:5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children. 24:6 They reap every one his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked. 24:7 They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. 24:8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. 24:9 They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor. 24:10 They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry; 24:11 Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst. 24:12 Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.

24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. 24:14 The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face. 24:16 In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. 24:17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.

24:18 He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards. 24:19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned. 24:20 The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree. 24:21 He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow. 24:22 He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life. 24:23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways. 24:24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.

24:25 And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?" (Job 24:1-25 KJV)

Fact Finder: When will Satan's evil light be "put out" forever?
See Sending Away The Escapades Goat