Continuing this theme of God working with the sinful affairs of men we see "light from heaven" flashing around the dark mind of a man full of evil.
Light shone all around Saul with such dazzling brilliance that it completely blotted out the midday sun. In contrast, when the Lord Jesus was crucified by those of Saul's acquaintance, there came a cloud of thick darkness at about the same time of day: the "sixth hour" — Matthew 27:45
Behind both the light and darkness is an All Powerful God Who has perfectly revealed Himself as the Only God beside whom there is none other. No supernatural agent of evil, no fallen angel influencing the darkness - man is fully capable to do this on his own. It is God who shapes it for His Purpose because out of his great love He brings good (light) from evil (darkness)
Saul was being shown that there was a greater "Light" than the natural sun; and that would come through the One whose followers he was in process of destroying. The apostle later expounded the principle in words that seem to echo his experience on the road to Damascus:
"We all, with open face beholding... the glory of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18);
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them... God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ as per Acts 4:4, 6
Though never seeing the Christ face to face the memory of this even never left Paul as he recites it 3 times in the Acts of the Apostles.
Once the enlightened mind perceives the wonders of God in His Creation all we can do is stand in awe and praise Him for every good and perfect gift comes from above as a fellow member said in this thread. Neither is there any shadow of turning in his brightness toward us.
F2F
We are unable to see light from heaven. ( the light shines in darkness and the darkness comprehends/understands, it not.)
But the word was made flesh, and in Him ( the Word) was LIFE, and the life WAS THE LIGHT, of men.
Jesus testified He is the LIGHT of the world, and they who FOLLOW HIM, ( believe in Him) shall not walk in darkness, but shall then have ( Him) the light of life.
All things were delivered to the Son by the Father, and no man knows the Father nor the Son but who the Son REVEALS Him to...
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 And the
light shineth in
darkness; and the
darkness comprehended
it not.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the
light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life.
Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my
Father: and no
man knoweth
the Son, but
the Father; neither knoweth any
man the Father, save
the Son, and he to whomsoever
the Son will reveal him.
The gospel ( the Word) preached of the apostle Paul, was not after man.
Not taught it ( by man) but by the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
Paul we heard persecuted the church of God, but it PLEASED GOD, when the time came to CALL HIM BY HIS GRACE. To REVEAL HIS SON IN HIM...
Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Only the Son of God has immortality, dwelling in the LIGHT, which NO MAN CAN APPROACH, no man has SEEN, nor CAN SEE.
Made MANIFEST, by the APPEARING of our Saviour Jesus Christ, abolished DEATH, and has brought LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO ,LIGHT, through the GOSPEL...
1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which
no man can approach unto; whom
no man hath
seen,
nor
can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought
life and immortality to
light through the gospel: