“Arise you children of the Light”
In the Orthodox Creed, the church fathers declared that Lord Jesus Christ is “Light of Light”. The term “Light of Light” is the official Orthodox analogy of the relationship between The Son and The Father. The Scriptural origin of that term may be found in the words of King David below:
“"For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You and Your righteousness to the upright in heart" (Ps 36: 9,10)
- “For with You (O Father) is the fountain of life (The Son)” –
St. John elaborated on King David words in his first Epistle saying, “the life (The Son) was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life (The Son) which was with the Father and was manifested to us.” (1 Jn. 1: 2). Lord Jesus also confirmed this saying, “I am the resurrection and the life” (Jn 11:25) – “ I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (Jn 14:6). Moreover, St. John said, “And this is the testimony: that God (The Father) has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (1 Jn 5:11). Lord Jesus Christ connected the terms “light” and “life” when He said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12). It is no surprise then to hear St. John say, “In Him (In The Son) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light (The Son) shines in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (Jn 1: 4,5) – “That (The Son) was the true Light which gives light (gives life) to every man coming into the world” (Jn 1:9).
- In Your light (In Your Son who is Light of Light) we see light (we see / know You O Father). Oh (Father), continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You (Through Your Light; Your Son) and Your righteousness to the upright in heart –
St. John said that “No one has seen (known) God (The Father) at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him (Made Him known)” (Jn 1:18). Lord Jesus Christ said “No one comes to the Father except through Me (The Son). If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (Jn 14: 6,7) – Notice how “to see” and “to know” are used interchangeably. The words of King David could be understood as a prophecy about the knowledge of the Father through His Son.
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