Based on the sources, the concept of light serves as a powerful, unifying theme throughout redemptive history, beginning with God's initial creative command, "Let there be light". This act, preceding the sun, moon, and stars, establishes light as a symbol of God's self-disclosure, moral clarity, and covenant kindness. In the Old Testament, light is seen in various forms—the burning bush, the pillar of fire, the Shekinah glory, the sanctuary lampstand, and in Psalms where the LORD is called "my light and my salvation". Scripture itself is described as a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path," providing guidance. These Old Covenant instances are viewed as anticipations, or "promissory notes," foreshadowing Christ.
The New Covenant reveals the fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the "true Light" and "Light of the world". Reformed theology understands His light as the unoriginated effulgence of the Father's glory, neither borrowed nor created, guaranteed by His deity.
In salvation, light dawns over a darkened soul. Regeneration is described as God repeating His creation command in the heart. Believers are called to "walk as children of Light", progressively transformed by the Spirit and guided by the Word. The church is a composite lampstand, projecting Christ's splendor through preaching, sacraments, and witness, including missions. Apologetics contrasts Christ, the true Light, with competing false "lights". The theme culminates in eschatological consummation in the New Jerusalem, which needs no sun or moon because the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb, eradicating night forever.
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