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I have a cross necklace that is formed with the Latin phrase  PER CRUCEM AD LUCEM.

The English translation of “PER CRUCEM AD LUCEM” is: “Through the Cross to the Light” 

The words remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World. He came into a dark world, and through His death, we find light and life. 

Genesis 1 — From Darkness to Light

There was only darkness when God created the earth:

Gen 1:1-2  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

But then God spoke and commanded Light to appear.

Gen 1:3  Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Note that the Light was not the light of the sun, for the sun was not created until the fourth day (Gen 1:16).  

Throughout the centuries, many have attempted to explain the light source spoken of in Gen 1:3. Was it a bright mist? Or a pillar of fire formed by God on the fourth day into the sun, moon, and stars? Could it have been the essence of the sun but without its form? Or maybe it was angels? All of those hypotheses have problems.  

Another Answer

The words in the original language tell that God made the light manifest — that He made it appear, and then it was visible. Therefore, many believe that the light was the Light of God Himself. The Bible even supports this. Psalm 104 says that God is clothed in light (Ps 104:2), and John declared God IS light in his first epistle!

1 John 1:5  This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Light in the Darkness

When Adam sinned, the world was plunged into darkness—a separation from God. And there is a day coming that will be filled with darkness:  

Amos 5:20 Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?

But God provides deliverance from darkness: 

Psalm 112:4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 
Psa 97:11  Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.
1 John 1:5  This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Per Crucem ad Lucem 

In all that we do, we should lift our eyes to Jesus. He is “the brightness of [God’s] glory, the express image of His person” (Heb 1:3) and “the true light that gives light” (John 1:9)

However, the True Light of God, that is radiated through Jesus, is not available to all mankind.  The unregenerate “grope in the darkness without light” (Job 12:25).  Their path is not lit with the Light that guides and directs. They do not see with their eyes the Light that shone from the beginning.

Under the New Covenant, there is no light (lucem) except through the cross (crucem).

  • It was through the cross that Jesus paid for sin, conquered death, and defeated Satan. 
  • It was through the cross that the way to the Father was opened. 
  • It was through the cross that Jesus received the crown.
  • And it is through the cross that we have Light in this life and glorious Light to come.

The cross was not a tragedy. It was a triumph. It was only through the agony of the cross that Jesus was glorified.  And it is only through the cross that we are able to come to the Light, find joy in this life, and look forward to unspeakable joy in the next. 

The Light that lights our paths.  

  • King David proclaimed, “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” (Ps 97:11)
  • John the Baptist testified of Jesus, “the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.” (John 1:9)
  • Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Keep looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and remember the promise of glory, the joy set before us.

Psa 141:8 ..mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust…
Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

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Do You Know Jesus?

The Bible clearly states that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). It also emphasizes that while the wages of sin is death, God offers us the incredible gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, know that today is the day of salvation (Acts 28). Turn away from your sinful past and turn to Jesus. Remember, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Don’t wait—find hope and redemption!

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***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus.  When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).

In Case You Missed It:
Top Ten "Got Questions" in 2024

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
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  4. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  7. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  8. What are the FOUR Different PRESENTATIONS of Jesus in the Gospels?
  9. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  10. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?

2024's Top Ten "Words of Wisdom from the Cloud of Witnesses"

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. THE COMING PRINCE, by Sir Robert Anderson, 1894
  3. What's the Story Behind "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood by William Cowper
  4. "Immanuel" -- A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  5. Prayers from Billy Graham
  6. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  7. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. The Hound of Heaven, a poem by Francis Thompson (1859–1907)
  10. 40 Quotes from Frederick Buechner (1926-2022)

This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.

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2024's TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus

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  5. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  6. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
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  9. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  10. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, performed by Casting Crowns

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