The Orthodox Study Bible: Light

The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy,Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.

From the Bible's Glossary by the Reverend John W. Morris, PhD.

Light

According to the text under review, the Bible frequently defines light as a symbol of God and that which is good. (802). This light is contrasted to darkness that overcomes sin and death. (802).

Further, in the New Testament, followers of Jesus Christ are considered lights shining in the world. (802). This demonstrates the brightness of God, the Gospel and the Kingdom of God, in contrast to fallen creation and the present corrupted realm.

Theologian, Boice notes that Christians are to change the world as the light. (687). The Church and the Kingdom of God, is to contrast the darkness of the world system is this present realm. (687).

In Jesus Christ, we are the light of the world. (687).

Via Oxford, Browning explains that light is a powerful (biblical, my add) symbol mentioned at the beginning in Genesis 1. (228). Light is connected to concepts of goodness and truth. (228).

Browning lists Revelation 22: 5.

Revelation 22:5 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they [a]will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. Footnotes: Revelation 22:5 Lit do not have
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God is by nature Spirit (John 4: 24) according to Jesus Christ within the Gospel of John. I therefore, do not reason that God should be defined as God as light, in scientific terms....

Again from Oxford, but the Dictionary of Science:

Light is 'The form of electromagnetic radiation to which the human eye is sensitive and on which our visual awareness of the universe and it contents relies.' (476).

Electromagnetic radiation is considered a form of energy. Energy is the capacity for doing work. Entropy from page 292.

I can agree with the symbolic definitions provided for light and God as light. In non-material reality, a spiritual reality, God may very reasonably, biblically and theologically, appear as light to persons.

In regard to Revelation 22: 5, as my theology reasons that Revelation 21-22 describes a physical new heaven and new earth in a restored universe; It seems to me that 22: 5 is likely figurative literal, as in there will be a literal sun in our solar system. A literal, physical universe of matter, energy and light.
As well as time and space.

As I have noted Mounce, does for example, opine that Revelation does use figurative literal language.

On page 369, in regard to John's vision of the new heaven and new earth (369).

Quote:

'Interpreters understand these figures with varying degrees of literalness.' (369).

Mounce offers no figurative explanation for 22: 5. (388). But, if one favours a quite plain literal interpretation of 'the everlasting light of the glory of God' (388), I reason the new heaven and new earth, shall operate on radically different scientific rules than does our present realm.

I can grant that the restored universe may be significantly different, although still physical and that God indeed, is light, in the biblical sense described, even while acknowledging varying possible degrees of literalness.

BOICE, JAMES, MONTGOMERY (1981) Foundations of the Christian Faith, Downers Grove, IVP Press.

BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Oxford Dictionary of Science, (2010), Sixth Edition, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy,Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.