Praise is found in the Bible in 216 verses. 24 of the 216 verses are found in the New Testament.
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Of the 24 verses, Eph 1:6 and these verses use this next definition: (Rom 2:29, Rom 13:3, 1Co 4:5, 2Co 8:18, Eph 1:12, Eph 1:14, Php 1:11, Php 4:8)
The definition of praise from the Greek:(G1868) ἔπαινος From G1909 and the base of G134; laudation; concretely a commendable thing: – praise.
These verses refer to praise used in the sense of laudation or honor. How do you honor God? Obedience. Living in accordance to what you learn and understand. Closing the gap that your flesh has douped you in to thinking you are distant from God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, but are not.
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
The definition of praise in John 12:43 is:
Praise from the Greek: (G1391)δόξα From the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or figuratively, objectively or subjectively): – dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.
Praise, and glory. The word “praise” in this definition is glory. Glory is found in the New Testament in 157 verses.
With glorybeing the same word as praise, simply not translated into English with the same word inthe KJV. Praise, is a “commendable thing”, referring to something that was acted upon or performed by someone. Not just a thought, but is fulfilled by actions that is expressing glory to the Lord.
Jesus uses the word honour in the gospels. Honour found in 50 NT verses.
Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Honour in the Greek: (G5091) τιμάω From G5093; to prize, that is, fix a valuation upon; by implication to revere: – honour, value.
For humankind to have praise for God means having honor. Having honor is having respect and recognition which is shown through from thoughts to actions-behavior. Praise, glory, and honour, if it is followed through by obedience, is having reverence for the Lord.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
These are the words of Christ. “unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Those in the grave that “finally” hear His voice. Those accused and judged to stand up again.
Eph 2:1-10
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eternal life, or life eternal is mentioned 64 times in the New Testament. Death according to the Greek Text is either literal or figuratively speaking. Literally speaking; from a fleshly view, whereas figuratively speaking is from a spiritual perspective. Eternal death, or death eternal is mentioned 3 times. The understanding in eternal death or damnation is in the world, the flesh, not your soul-spirit. (Although it is in the current life) If your not living in a life of love, your living a life in spiritual death.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (also see Heb 1:2)
We see in Hebrews that the “worlds” were framed by the Word of God. You get to choose if there are multiple worlds besides this one, or a soul that has eternal life that lives multiple lives. How about both? Wouldn’t it be great to gain some ground over the sinful evil natures of this flesh life and the next life not have to do this all over until you figure it out? Are you not tired of evil? How about those that have yet to figure it out. How many lives do they live until they see the light?
“Eventually” saved by your faith at the hand of God, grace is our gift. Apply your salvation and baptism scriptures to your life because the kingdom is at hand, and within you. (Mat 4:7, Luke 17:21)
It’s by God’s design that evil serves a purpose. It’s by God’s design that we overcome the world by way of freedom to choose evils or good.
Five main points to living a spiritual life and overcoming the flesh and learning how to live in the world but yet out of the world.
1) Gain control over ALL negativity. See it as a positive or simply neutralize the thought.
Psalms 82:5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
The world teaches negativity and judgement with virtually no understanding but from a worldly perspective. When a soul has a seemingly a non-caring attitude, that soul simply has a total understanding because Creation is God.
2) Understanding judgement; We judge ourselves. We know NOTHING about our neighbor.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
3) Learn how to love your neighbor. (forgiveness, judgement, love, understanding)
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
4) Curbing repetitive evils.
(Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.)
If something can not be called good, or the premise be from love, then what is it?
5) Forgiveness-self and all others.
Why carry the burden of the world when God, and not god, (you) has total control of all Creation? By establishing a practice of these 5 points and a 24/7 awareness, the kingdom will be within, and the focus on life simplified to one word, love.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Gen 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
God has created humankind in His image and likeness and formed humankind from the dust to become as God; created as a god and live forever or eternity by way of the created spirit-soul and formed flesh.
To understand how to envision your eternity outside of time would be like looking into two mirrors (paralleled or angled) that reflect each other and so your image is projected back creating a series of smaller and smaller reflections that appear to recede to infinity.
Your infinite number of lives are no more than looking into reflections of a mirror to see your infinite lives or thoughts, not in time.
T wo thoughts can describe what is seen in the picture. Each mirror being a real life without current awareness, still in the present. The person that is in the picture is seen in the following mirrors to be thoughts from consciousness but not pursued and implemented by way of the 5 senses that actually produces a reality.These images can be likened to all your eternal lives-thoughts. These lives or thoughts that come from your soul-mind and are present in your eternal life. Since there is no time in the spiritual world, your “present,” is your current awareness in your eternal life.
Time is a construct in this world. Time in the spiritual world is measured by changes of state by one’s interior or created spirit.
A soul’s eternity is in an ever present state, with the awareness of living one life in the present now.
Since time does not exist in the spirit world, time is comprehended as a sense of succession.
The lack of “succession” is idleness belonging only to the world. Idleness from the Greek is defined as being inactive, lazy, useless.
Pro 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
(See Also; Ex 5:8, Ex 5:17, Mat 12:36, Mat 20:3, Mat 20:6, Luke 24:11, 1Ti 5:13)
Humankind “creates” a thought and/or a mental image in our mind. The thought, application, or manifesting by way of the 5 senses, becomesan individuals “reality.” (Facilities having relationship to understanding and the will). Your thoughts should come from your spirit-soul, the truth. When the brain-mind is the working from the flesh and not the spirit, where is the truth if the thought is not followed through from the spirit and not the flesh?
Thought is energy, and since energy can not be destroyed but can be reshaped and/or reconstructed, each “reflection”can be a way of understanding your lives through eternity from a present perspective from the flesh. Thoughts from consciousness manifested or not, creates the possibilitiesfor experiences.
Succession or idleness, growth or complacency, life or death? This is assuming that a soul is in the love of life with understanding and the elimination of repetitive evils.
Acts 2:17-19 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
All scripture is God spoken. All scriptures are God, which is the Word, which is alive. Therefore, humankind is always in the end days. All scriptures are in the NOW. Is it YOUR now, maybe, maybe not.
Meditation;
1Ti 4:15-16 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
(See Also; Jos 1:8, Isa 33:18, Luke 21:14, Psalms 1:2, 5:1, 19:14, 49:3, 63:6, 77:12, 104:34, 105:5, 119:15, 119:23, 119:48, 119:97, 119:99, 119:48, 143:5)
Psa 119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
The definition of meditation in the Hebrew;
H7881 שִׂיחָה Feminine of H7879; reflection; by extension devotion: – meditation, prayer. H7879 שִׂיחַ From H7878; a contemplation; by implication an utterance: – babbling, communication, complaint, meditation, prayer, talk.
Scriptures were penned by the souls that lived and spoke in their own way-language-understanding. Visions and prophesies are expressed through that soul but the Word that comes from the spirit world, by way of God, Jesus, spirit guides, the Holy Spirit, angels, your “higher” true perfect spiritual self.
Act 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
We see in this vision of Peter, the Spirit spoke to him.
Vision in the Greek;
G3705 ὅραμα From G3708; something gazed at, that is, a spectacle (especially supernatural): – sight, vision.G3708 ὁράω Properly to stare at (compare G3700), that is, (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally); by extension to attend to; by Hebraism to experience; passively to appear: – behold, perceive, see, take heed.
Pauls vision;
2Co 12:1-4 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
See also; (2Co 12:7, Num 12:6, Eze 1:1-28, Eze 11:24, Dan 10:5-10, Joel 2:28-29, Acts 9:10-17, Acts 18:9, Acts 22:17-21, Acts 26:13-19, Gal 1:12, Gal 2:2)
Num 24:4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
Acts 10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
(See Also; Num 24:16, Acts 11:5, Acts 22:17)
Trance in the Greek Concordance;
G1611 ἔκστασις From G1839; a displacement of the mind, that is, bewilderment, “ecstasy”: – + be amazed, amazement, astonishment, trance. G1839 ἐξίστημι From G1537 and G2476; to put (stand) out of wits, that is, astound, or (reflexively) become astounded, insane: – amaze, be (make) astonished, be beside self (selves), bewitch, wonder.
In today’s world, “trance” is the same as channeling. Channeling is an established connection and communication with the spiritual world in through a focused state of consciousness. A meditation, or displacement of the mind.
2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (See Also Eph 3:16, Rom 7:22)
1Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
The first world belongs to the inner self or your spiritual self that works from perfection. A soul should be living in awareness of thoughts and actions that emulate from your true self which is incorruptible according to 1Peter 3:4. This awareness is your true self; the Word within you. The premise from which actions may manifest to the second world.
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
The secondworld is your flesh self and is directed by your mind-brain-ego in thoughts and actions. All thoughts-decisions-actions constitutes one’s main awareness and should begin from the soul-spirit and not the mind-brain.
Eph 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.
The third world is the earth. The world from your flesh beginning has instilled its appearances of normality, evolution, and it’s own righteousness. Thankfully, because of the Word and a spirit of perfection, with the knowledge of the Word, a soul can distinguish truths from lies, and through one’s own consciousness write on his heart what he wishes to accept from a Jesus perspective and to understand what the world throws at a soul and a soul acknowledging the truth. Take a look at how your consciousness works so hard to carry burdens of the world when a soul can be freed from that burden!
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
The fourth worldis the newly formed “spiritual-virtual reality world.” The hardware is the body. The information it provides is the consciousness of that spiritual world. This spiritual world of virtual reality has a stronger foothold on a soul belonging to the world than one would care to think. The technical-computer-information world istaking control of the world,knowing a soul better than the soul itself.
How is it the internet knows you better than yourself? Humankind has created this new world and it’s foothold is getting deeper and deeper.
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Co 1:27-29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Rom 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 15:6-7 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1Co 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Eph 5:29-32 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
We fail to see that creation is one. Creation came out of God and it was ALL GOOD. We are all members of one body, one heart, one soul, one spirit, baptized into one body (one body in Christ), Christ being the one church, and one God.
We “see” separation between ourselves and neighbor, God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit because we create it. Before your “eyes can see” and your “ears can hear”, your mind begins the process of your seeing separation. Because you see it, it exists.
Build on living life with the awareness to live life as one. (which is always a work in progress)
Also See; Gal 3:28, Eph 2:19-22, Eph 3:6, Eph 4:4, Eph 4:25, Eph 5:30, 1Co 12:18-26, 1Co 15:39-40, Col 1:18, Col 3:15 Php 2:2, Php 3:1
Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Love in the Greek Text;
G25 ἀγαπάω To love in a social or moral sense. To be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling.
The opposite of love is selfishness. Reverse engineering; applying love by thoughts and actions implementing the following:
Understanding;
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
Your soul is in your world, your neighbors soul is in his world. Your path is yours, his path is his. His understanding is not your understanding. He learns and grows from his mistakes, assuming you learn from your mistakes?
Non-judgmental;
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
We are all equal;
Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
1Co 12:18-20 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.
Ego serves itself;
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Negativity; off-set by seeing and doing everything in goodness.
Rom 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Amos 9:9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
This sifting happens within one life? How can that be if “not the least grain fall upon the earth?”
This sifting process is growth through experiences from your past, into your present, and your future. All leading back to God.
One flesh life? Explain how an abortion, baby or small child that died had freewill and live a life choosing to serve good or evil?
What about those souls that God has closed their eyes?
Isa 29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Could these lives serve a special purpose in God’s plan? Was a babies eyes closed?
Exo 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
How does Gods hardening of the heart work in the plan?
Living in eternity gives souls the “time” to grow through experiences, grow in love, and perfection as Christ said; Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. (Mat 5:48) Souls progressively grow closer (back) to God through their perfecting eternal life back to your created image and likeness.
How much “heaven, kingdom, or hell” will be within you that you carry into your next life? The life that follows you.
When you look at all the verses that state God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the kingdom are within you, and you came from Him; in His Image and Likeness; If you were God, would you destroy what you unconditionally love that is a part of you and your creation is good, would you EVER destroy?
God’s love never changes. He loves the sinner as much as those souls living in goodness. How can one be condemned to an eternal death in one life? The sifting continues.
If Gods Word is living; and He is the Word, (John 1:1) never changing, (Mal 3:6) and the beginning and the end, (Rev 22:13) sounds to me that any way you want to look at your eternity, the Word will apply to your life.
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
2Th 2:10-11 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Rom 11:7-8 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Ecc 3:1-8 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Added from chapter 4
Mark 4:11-12 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Stating here that the spirit of the Lord strives with man while he is in the flesh but is always within his spirit. This is so because man cannot live without the spirit being present within him.
God states his love never changes. With that being truth and since the Godhead is within us and us within God; and God never changes, then is it within man that he creates the separation. Man creates sin or evil.
Mat 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Gen 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
God creates the heaven and the earth. Darkness was first to exist. This is because darkness prior to the created heaven and earth, darkness existed in heaven as referenced in Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Note; The earth being without form and void from the Hebrew means; From an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), that is, desert; figuratively a worthless thing; adverbially in vain: – confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness.
Darkness from the Hebrew;
H2822 חֹשֶׁךְ From H2821; the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.
These two verses summarizes the above.
Gen 1:17-18 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
GOD SAW THAT IS WAS GOOD.
Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
What is interesting to note, darkness in the OT has a different meaning than in the NT. The Greek definition of darkness in Mat 6:23;
G4652 σκοτεινός From G4655; opaque, that is, (figuratively) benighted: – dark, full of darkness. G4655 σκότος From the base of G4639; shadiness, that is, obscurity (literally or figuratively): – darkness. G4639 σκία Apparently a primary word; “shade” or a shadow (literally or figuratively [darkness of error or an adumbration]): – shadow.
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Sin from the Greek;
G264 ἁμαρτάνω Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G3313; properly to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), that is, (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin.
Interesting how darkness from the OT prior to Jesus has the definition of misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow and wickedness, is noted as “good”. Then in the NT after Jesus darkness is seen as obscurity, a darkness of error. Sin in the NT has the definition meaning to err, miss the mark, and so not to share in the prize.
Sin and darkness, love and goodness, establishes the basis necessary for free will. Therefore, it is highly important to correctly see, understand, and accept at least in neutrality the workings of the positive and negative in God’s perfect plan.
Stairway To Heaven 