THREE DAYS OF DARKNESS
By W. G. Guy
Recently the internet has had several warnings issued about three days of darkness that will be experienced on earth. There are two kinds of darkness; physical and spiritual. Darkness refers to the absence of light; darkness also represents evil while light represents righteousness, truth and that which is good. As such, Jesus is the light of the world.
John 9:5 – As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
These warnings are mostly about spiritual wickedness evil as the powers of darkness begin to manifest. This refers to Satan and his demonic forces that are actively at work trying to destroy mankind made in the image and likeness of God.
Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
However, this alleged coming period of darkness may only be an indication of something much more significant and a parallel to that which has already been experienced.
As we approach the celebration of Passover, April 1st, we see that there were three days of darkness that began on the Day of Preparation, the day that the Passover lamb was killed. (His body had to be off of the cross before Passover began.)
John 19:42 – There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
This was the time that Jesus, the light of the world, was crucified and buried. He spent three days and three nights in the grave until His resurrection. The powers of darkness where rejoicing because they though they we able to put out the light of the world; but this was only because they were allowed to fulfill God’s master plan of the redemption of mankind. What they failed to realize is that, in God’s sovereign plan of redemption, the light that they put out would be multiplied greatly upon His resurrection as many believed on Him and became that light with His Spirit within them.
Matthew 5:14 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
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.
As Jesus faced the approaching time of His betrayal and passion He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. This was indeed a very stressful time for Him as He knew what was waiting for Him to endure.
John 18:1-6 – When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
(Note: when God is personally revealed to us mortal people we cannot stand in His manifesting presence and fall to the ground. This is known as “being slain in the spirit”, which still happens today when God’s Holy Spirit manifests Himself to people.)
Jesus willingly turned Himself over to those whom operated and are motivated by the spiritual powers of darkness in order to fulfill God’s plan of redemption that required the shedding of innocent blood to atone for all of our sins. At Passover, Jesus became our Passover Lamb, sacrificed for the sins of the world.
1 Corinthians 5:7 – For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
At the ninth hour, which is three PM, Jesus finished His atoning work on the cross for all of mankind, and was buried.
Luke 23:44-46 – And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Notice that darkness began to fill the earth at the sixth hour, which is noon. This signified that the light of the world was going out; and that light was finally completely put out three hours later. This began the three days of darkness because that light did not shine again until three days later at the resurrection of Jesus from the grave,
Isaiah 60:1-3 – Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Since Christ’s resurrection the spiritual powers of darkness have been operating without much opposition. This conflict continues as those of us who have accepted Jesus’ atonement, and have been redeemed, fail to use our authority in Jesus name to fight with and defeat this evil darkness. This is called spiritual warfare
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
If there is going to be another three day period of darkness ahead of us, we who are God’s children through Jesus Christ, need to take a stand against this wickedness.
Ephesians 6:10-18 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Note: each piece of our spiritual armor is an application of the Word of God – the WORD OF THE SPIRIT. Learn it, use it, and depend on it, because God’s Word is powerful and eternal; it shall not pass away.
The majority of the world’s leadership is under the influence or control of the devil and his principalities of darkness. This is very apparent when you see how things are going in this world of corruption and wickedness. The devil bragged to Jesus that the kingdoms of this world were in his hands and under his control.
Luke 4:5-6 – And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Thus the leadership of this world, and its governments, are under the influence of this spiritual darkness. Their ignorance of God and His Word is a testimony against them.
1 Corinthians 2:8 – Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Since spiritual wickedness is on the increase in these last days we need to heed the Word of God: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
These last days will certainly be filled with evil.
2 Timothy 3:11-14 – Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
How are we, who are the light of the world, to respond to this increasing darkness? We are called to resist, to stand fast, use the warfare weapons that God gave to us. What are these weapons? They are simply the authority of His name and declaring His Word, (the sword of the Spirit), to use in Prayer and spiritual warfare.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 – I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Today’s Christians seem to be very lax in this endeavor of praying for our government leaders. Thus we see the course of this world increasing in spiritual darkness. It high time for the church to wake up and be the light we are called to be.
Romans 13:11-14 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
God has given us the victory to overcome the powers of darkness; and that victory in by faith in Him and His Word.
1 John 5:4-5 – For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our
faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Therefore we shall not fear the days of darkness but hold fast tot our profession of faith in Him and His Word. So use it, and overcome any three days of darkness by being His light!
