07/28/2026
God’s divine revelation of Himself to fallen mankind in several successive stages of Progressive Light, with each stage leading to the next in an ordinal sequence. As man positively responds to the light provided in each of these stages, God gives him more light, successively moving from enlightening him with the Light of Creation, to engaging him with the Light of Conscience, to enveloping him into the Body of Christ with the Light of Christ, and ultimately to equipping him for service with the Light of Commission.
The first 2 steps are presented through General Revelation:
1. The Light of Creation_
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.” _Psalms 19:1-3
In this initial step of the Progressive Light process, creation itself is said to serve as a witness of the existence of a God. I use the indefinite article because, while creation proves the existence of a Creator. It doesn’t indicate the specifics as to who He is.
2. The Light of Conscious_
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.” _Psalms 8:3-6
“What is man, that You should exalt him, That You should set Your heart on him, That You should visit him every morning, And test him every moment?” _Job 7:17-18
As we affirmatively respond to this 1st Progressive Light step, the second step of the Progressive Light process unfolds herein we begin to contemplate the depth and purpose of our existence before this God of creation.
With the conclusion of these first 2 steps, the second half of the Progressive Light process begins. Unlike the the first two steps, being guided by the uncertainty of General Revelation. The second half of the Progressive Light process is guided with the specificity of Special Revelation. This stage of revelation enlists the assistance of those who have previously come to relationship with The Almighty through the cross of Christ. It is accomplished through the “preaching” and “teaching” of God’s Word in evangelism and instruction.
3. The Light of Christ_
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through Him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light that was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” (John 1:6-9)
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? _Romans 10:13-14
“So (Philip) arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eu**ch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” ….……. ”So the eu**ch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” _Acts 8:26-35
While the general existence, and subsequent contemplation of God are realized during the first two stages of this 4 step process. Information regarding who He is, as well as His specific requirements of us is realized in our interactions with those who have previously entered into relationship with Him, and have been tasked with preaching Christ crucified as they evangelize on His behalf.
4. The Light of Commission_
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” _Matthew 28:18-20
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” _II Corinthians 5:18-20
During this last step of the Progressive Light process. All who have confessed faith in the cross of Christ are then charged to go back out in evangelism at every opportunity, participating in the very process that brought them in.
Progressive Darkness is realized in those who, having been provided access to the very same Progressive Light provided all of mankind coming into the world, but reject it at any point during the first 3 steps:
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” - (Romans 1:18-25).
