Q3. The Kingdom of Light

[Loisb]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is

[Diggz]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future?

Paul used the terms darkness and light to paint a picture of the believers

[leihaynes]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is

[saja3]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is

[janspiljard]

Question 3

a.

Darkness and light portrays the existing contrast between two spiritual powers/realms. It also portrays the contrast between being lost (darkness) and being saved (light).

In more general spiritual terms the darkness stands for Satan's realm (John the Evangelist calls it "the world", "the flesh", or even "the world of the flesh"). Light stands for God's realm (kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, paradise).

The reminder Paul gives is, in my opinion, meant to make us see even more clearly where the Colossian believers, or for that matter we, now stand. What we have won/gained. The great blessing and grace of it. It also reminds us that that world of darkness is no fairy tale. It is very very real!

b.

The NIV says "inheritance in the kingdom of light". It means God's realm, God's wonderful kingdom, with all its love, forgiveness, grace, light, redemption, peace, power, etc. Everything God wants to give us included. We inherited this "kingdom of light" when we said "Yes" to God through Jesus.

c.

On the one hand we have the "dominion of darkness". The Amplified Bible says it even better:

Colossians 1:13a (AMP):

"(The Father) has delivered us and drawn us to Himself out of the control and dominion of darkness...

The "dominion of darkness" is what it says it is, dark. The way of ruling is through controlling, threatening, forcing.

The "kingdom of light" or "the kingdom of the Son he loves..." on the other hand, is in everything the complete contrast to the "dominion of darkness". The way of ruling is through sacrifial love (Christ's) and grace. There is light (God's light, which is so bright that we no longer need the sun (Revelation)), there is peace, love, forgiveness, redemption, grace, mercy. We are not forced in anything, but lovingly guided with God smiling at us. We are close to God, so close to God, intimate with him at a level that we have never achieved and could never reach in our earthly lives. God is close to us, always, every moment of the day. We can go to him, come to him, talk with him and will never find the door locked. And we always find open arms to receive us, whether we are happy, deeply moved, or terribly sad or depressed. God will put his arms around us and hold us so close to him.

The contrast between the two realms is an infinite contrast.

[Old Jerry]

The reason Paul uses the terms darkness and light is because in the past they did not have Jesus as their savior and now that we have Jesus we have the light which is the Truth.

The reason he reminds them where they came from is because they are in the truth and they have Jesus where in the past they did not have him.

The inheritance of the saints in light is heaven. Now that they have been adopted by Jesus they and now heirs with him in heaven.

The way the two terms that are used in governing bodies are contracted is one is darkness and the other is love.

The sense that the subjects are

[linda bass]

Paul is explaining that before a person is saved, he or she is a part of Satan's kingdom of darkness. Once someone accepts Christ as their Savior, that person is taken out of Satan's dark dominion and transferred to God's realm of light,love,redemtion,and forgiveness.

Paul reminds the Colossian believers where they came from so that they can be a better witness to others that need the gospel.

The "inheritance" of the saints in light" is eternal life with Christ.

The two terms Paul uses for governing bodies are dominion and kingdom.

[WALT39]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is "the inheritance of the saints in light" that he mentions? In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects "governed" in each?

Colossians 1:12-13 - giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Darkness pertains to Satan and Light refers to God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Why does he remind them where they came from? That is where their salvation came from.

What is "the inheritance of the saints in light" that he mentions? We must listen, open our hearts and believe which will reveal Christ through the sacred word. By believing, we will be in the Light.

In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects "governed" in each?

Dominion means power or earthly pleasure and being controlled by Satan as Kingdom refers to God which is light, love, redemption and forgiveness. The contrast is between darkness and light.

[studybug52]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is

[SherryD]

Paul uses the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future because we wants them to know that even though they lived in darkness there is a hope for life in the light. This is why he gives God praises, "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

The "inheritance of the saints in light" is salvation and eternal life in God's kingdom.

Dominion of darkness and kingdom of the Son are the two terms used for governing bodies. Dominion is described as "darkness" whereas the kingdom of the Son is where we have redemption and forgiveness of sins.

Subjects are governed in both in the sense that they rule over you. Either you will be ruled by Satan's darkness which focuses on the sinner's action or you will be ruled by God's kingdom which focuses on the sinner's heart.

[AngelOnLine]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future?

To show the difference between where they were and where they are now.

Why does he remind them where they came from?

So they will realize how lost they were.

What is "the inheritance of the saints in light" that he mentions?

The Kingdom of God

In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies?

Dominion and Kingdom

How are they contrasted in verse 13?

Dominion represents Satan = darkness.

Kingdom represents Jesus = light.

In what sense are subjects "governed" in each?

Satan controls for evil. Jesus protects and loves.

[spring]

(Colossians 1:12-13)

Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and present?

Paul wanted to convey a message that prior to one's salvation, we served and were under the guidance

of Satan. Through Christ's death on the cross, we immediately become followers of Jesus Christ and

receive special privileges that are bestowed upon Born Again Believers.

Why does he remind them where they come from?

At times it is easy for individuals to forget about their past sinful life. Particulary when they acquire a great amount of wealth. It was important for them to remember how they engaged in ungodly activity that was not pleasing to God. If anything, they needed to be reminded of their previous past to keep them from making ungodly mistakes that would pull them back into Satan's kingdom.

What is the inheritance of the saints in light that he mentions?

As children in the light, we possess such benefits as eternal life with God, rescued from spending eternity with Satan, all of our sins are forgiven, promised healing, etc.

In verse 13, we find two terms used of governing bodies?

The two terms were "Power of Darkness" and the "Kingdom of his Dear Son".

How are they contrasted in verse 13?

There are two (2) Kingdoms mankind can serve: Kingdom of God which represents love, joy, peace, humility, deliverance or the Kingdom of Darkness which represents hatred, strife, backbiting, etc.

In what sense are subjects governed in each?

Either a person will serve God or they will serve Satan.

[Commissioned]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future?

Paul used the terms darkness to portray the readers past life without Jesus who is light. Now that they have Christ Jesus they no longer have allegience to Satan the prince of darkness but the light of Christ shines through them.

Why does he remind them where they came from?

Paul reminded them of where they came from because they were in bondage to all the sin of darkness and now in Christ they have been set free.

What is

[Nancy U]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future?

I believe Paul used the terms darkness and light to describe their past and future because at the time of writing it was a simple way to describe what was going on in the new Christian

[Ramon]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is "the inheritance of the saints in light" that he mentions? In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects "governed" in each?

Answer:

1.Darkness as we are all once,when we are born into this world,and that was the past,and now that we have Jesus in our life it translated into more meaningfull,full of light life.

2.They remind them where they came from,so that they will appreciate their position now in Christ Jesus and will not fall back to where they came from.

3.The inheritance of saints in light is the freedom from dominion of darkness,freedom from condemnation..eternal salvation,and eternal redemption.

4.Dominion of darkness-Malignant and controlling(Evil)

5.0 Kingdom of His Son-Light,life and Hope.(God)

[poetmom]

I read Nancy U's response with interest. I do think Christians have gotten in a bad habit of seeing our faith as merely an inheritance to be reaped in the future. My first several years of faith were defined by the fact that "I said a prayer to accept Christ, and now I will go to heaven when I die." That's it. No fruit now, no particular joy now, no heaven now. Sure, stay away from the biggies like alcohol and premarital sex, but other than that, carry on with life. But take a look at this verse:

"Joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in [the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." (1:12-13)

If the tenses in this translation are accurate, the verse says that he has already rescued us and brought us into the kingdom. We are now living in the inheritance, not waiting for it. We should live accordingly, being grateful for the riches that are already present in our lives, cultivating fruit, basking in the light. I think our culture has very much simplified Christianity to where you go when you die, but there is so much more. Well, at least there is supposed to be so much more, right now, in the present. I myself almost daily get caught up in the grind and forget about this!

[critter123]

In the past, we all were in darkness whether Jew or Gentile because we had no knowledge of G-d and His ways. However, when we come to know G-d through faith in Jesus, we become bearers of His light. He reminds them of this fact so that they will not regress back into darkness but instead, press forward into the knowledge of G-d to advance His kingdom.The power of darkness was the governing body of the past because we were in sin for the lack of

knowing G-d. He compares this with the kingdom of His Son which is the present governing body of those of us who know Jesus.The "saints in light" are believers. The governing bodies refer to the ruling powers of authority over all people. Darkness is ruled by the Adversary and light is ruled by G-d.

[FORWARD FELEX]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future?

Paul uses terms; darkness and light to portray his readers future, because, he wants the readers to fully understand the difference between satan's realm and God's realm.

Why does he remind them where they came from?

He reminds them of whence they came in order to demonstrate the exact contrast of transformation; from the dominion of darkness to the kingdom of the Beloved Son of God.

What is

[Grace M.]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is

[Highohfaith]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is “the inheritance of the saints in light” that he mentions? In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects “governed” in each?

Paul's contrast of the darkness to light portrays the DARKNESS (death) the Colossians lived in before they were followers of Christ and the LIGHT (LIFE) that came upon them after they became followers..the same is with us. We live in darkness (we are dead) and are born again (come into the light - come alive) after we receive Christ.The "inheritance of the saints of light" is a place where there is no shadow of darkness, nothing of satan's kingdom, where light prevails and no darkness can exist. It is our inheritance! It is an inheritance that has been purchased by the blood of the Jesus.

He reminds them where they came from because he wants them to see HOW FAR they have come and how blessed they are as Christ Followers. And he wants to remind them that if they "backslide" they will go back into darkness!

In verse 13, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son"

The two terms are "delivered" and "transferred" into the Kingdom of God. The darkness is the satan/sin and the light is God.

As the Colossians drift far from God, they are drifting back into the dominion of darkness ( just as we do, when we drift from God). The are governed by the light as they grow closer to God's Kingdom.

[wifee]

3a)light & dark are familiar experiences,total opposites we all see, and he is using these to emphasise that when we are saved, we come out of the realm of darkness satan

[jacquie7]

Paul uses the terms darkness and light to contrast good (God’s Kingdom) and evil (Satan’s kingdom) letting them know that it was God who rescued them from a life of darkness in Satan’s kingdom. In the light, they inherit life, hope, love, redemption, and forgiveness. The governing bodies are contrasted as realms. Satan’s realm is the dominion of darkness that governs by malignant, controlling, and bondage. God’s realm is the Kingdom of light, love, redemption, and forgiveness.

[rosegarden]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is �the inheritance of the saints in light� that he mentions? In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects �governed� in each?

3.a. To show us that we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness (our past) to the kingdom of light (our future).

b. To let us realize we were in darkness without Jesus, in sin. without a Savior, without hope - no place we would want to go back to.

c. The inheritance of the saints in light is the sharing with the saints in this wonderful salvation Jesus has made available.

d. One is the kingdom of darkness, the other is the Kingdom of His Beloved Son.

e. Contrasted as one being darkness and the other light.

f. One is satan's realm - darkness; one is God's realm - light, love, forgiveness, redemption.

[rosegarden]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is �the inheritance of the saints in light� that he mentions? In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects �governed� in each?

[WinstonY]

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is the inheritance of the saints in light that he mentions? In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects governed in each?

 

This is the way Paul sees the situation- When one lives in the flesh, in the sensuality of evil acts than Paul sees these as a darkness that has come upon the person and upon the earth. But one lives in the Spirit of God, in a real relation with the Lord than it  is as if a great curtain has been removed from us: a curtain that blocks out the light of Jesus' love and we than live in the light of the Lord. It seems as Paul sees in this phrase a duality between Light and dark, good and evil, a caring, sharing lifestyle  and a greedy grasping life style-between the Lord and Satan. And Paul is confident that the grace of the  Lord will carry us through to the light of the world.

 

The Colossians are reminded that they come from darkness to light so that they can now appreciate what has happened to them and what they now have in Christ.

 

The inheritance of the saints in light is an eternal relationship with the Lord through Christ and by the power of the Spirit.

 

​The two bodies are Heaven and hell- the governance of God and the governance of Satan and the former is light and the latter is darkness. The former is characterized by  light, hope, love, redemption, and forgiveness  and the latter by   darkness, malignancy, and is controlling.