Context – Isaiah has been relaying the doom and gloom coming toward northern Israel with the impending Assyrian invasion, but Chapter 9 reveals a reversal of this fate with a promise to bring the True Light into their darkness:

Isaiah 9:1-2 – Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Context – In Matthew, Jesus is beginning His ministry after being baptized by John, confirmed by the Holy Spirit, and tested by Satan in the wilderness. In John, Jesus is addressing the religious leader’s questions about who He is, including a slight about prophets not coming from Galilee:

Matthew 4:13-17, John 8:12 –  Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near”… Jn. 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Context – At the end of the age, the sun, moon, stars, and even light itself will no longer be needed. They were created for this world, but there will be a new heaven and a new earth where the Godhead is all-in-all:

Revelation 21:23-27 – The city [of Heaven] does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

• How does the concept of light play a role throughout the biblical narrative?
• What was Jesus’ preaching as His primary message?
• Who does and does not enter into Heaven?