A Time When People Can’t See the Light
In August 2003, the United States experienced one of the largest power outages in modern history. Four days later, officials still didn’t know the exact cause. While Al Qaeda claimed responsibility, deception has long been part of their strategy, and no evidence confirmed their involvement.
Millions were affected by this massive blackout—some inconvenienced, others devastated. People were trapped in elevators for hours, grocery stores lost millions in spoiled food, and travelers were stranded as cities went dark. Yet even in the oppressive summer heat, looting was minimal—a small mercy in a time of chaos.
Just weeks later, on September 28, 2003, Italy suffered its worst blackout since World War II. Entire cities were plunged into darkness the very same day the Pope announced a new set of cardinals—a curious coincidence given the prophetic weight of light and darkness in Scripture.
Meanwhile, the film Luther (starring Joseph Fiennes) had just been released, recounting Martin Luther’s bold stand during the Protestant Reformation. It’s an excellent film—worth watching for believers of all backgrounds, especially Catholics.
Darkness as Judgment
In the Book of Exodus, one of God’s judgments upon Egypt was a plague of total darkness:
Exodus 10:22
“So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.”
Could these modern blackouts be warnings of greater judgment to come? Perhaps. America’s greatest cities—New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Detroit—are utterly dependent on an aging and unreliable power grid. One system failure can bring entire regions to their knees.
Scripture tells us there will again come a day when darkness covers the earth as part of God’s righteous judgment:
Revelation 6:12
“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth…”
Revelation 16:10–11
“The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.”
Hope for Those Who Dwell in the Light
While darkness symbolizes judgment, those who trust in the Lord need not fear. God promises protection and deliverance to those who call upon His name:
Psalm 91
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
“Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge… You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day…”
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name… With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Watching for the 2nd Coming
Despite record-breaking temperatures, blackouts, moral decline, and global unrest, interest in the 2nd Coming of Christ seems to have faded. Yet Scripture reminds us that these signs—darkness, judgment, and unrest among nations—signal that His return draws near.
The Light of the World will soon break through the darkness. The question is—are you ready?