Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6, Revelation 18:1-4

“I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.” — Isaiah 42:6-7 (NKJV)

God established His people not to create an exclusive club but to serve as beacons of light drawing others to Him. From ancient Israel to the end-time church, God’s purpose remains consistent: through His people, the whole earth will be illuminated with His glory.

The pale winter sun hangs low over Lake Tekapo (a stunning turquoise lake in New Zealand’s South Island) where the blue waters reflect the surrounding snow-capped mountains. This breathtaking region is home to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve (one of the world’s largest areas protected from light pollution), where stars shine with remarkable clarity. Dr. Sarah Williams, an astronomer of Māori descent (indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand), adjusts her telescope while waiting for nightfall. Today she’s hosting a group of visitors from Auckland (New Zealand’s largest city)—families seeking escape from city lights to witness what their ancestors knew: a sky so filled with stars it seems almost impossible.

“Before we see the night sky,” Sarah begins, “I want to tell you why this place is so significant. The Mackenzie Basin isn’t just protected from light pollution because it makes stargazing easier. It’s protected because darkness has value, but only when there’s also light to reveal what’s hidden in it.” A young mother named Olivia adjusts her daughter’s jacket against the cooling air. “That’s an interesting way to put it—we usually think of darkness as something negative.” Sarah smiles. “My grandparents were devout Christians who integrated their faith with our Māori heritage. My grandfather would take me stargazing and say, ‘The Creator placed these stars as navigation points—not just for canoes crossing oceans, but for souls finding their way home.'”

As twilight deepens, Sarah continues. “In traditional Māori understanding, light has always been associated with knowledge and revelation. When Europeans brought Christianity to Aotearoa New Zealand (the Māori name for New Zealand, meaning ‘land of the long white cloud’) in the 1800s, many Māori recognized parallels to their own spiritual concepts.”

“Like what?” asks David, visiting with his teenage sons. “The biblical concept of being ‘a light to the nations’ resonated deeply with Māori values of manaakitanga (a Māori concept meaning hospitality and care for others). My great-great-grandfather was among the first Māori converts. He wrote in his journal that what drew him to Christianity wasn’t European culture, but Christ Himself, who he saw as the ultimate expression of true mana (a Māori concept meaning spiritual authority and power).”

The first stars appear overhead as Sarah adjusts her telescope. “What’s fascinating is how quickly the early Māori Christians understood something that took centuries for European believers to grasp—that following Jesus wasn’t about adopting another culture’s ways, but about becoming a distinctive light that draws others toward truth.”

As darkness falls completely, gasps rise from the group. Above them spreads a canopy of stars so dense it looks like diamond dust scattered across black velvet. The Milky Way stretches in a brilliant band from horizon to horizon.

“This,” Sarah says quietly, “is what ancient peoples saw every night before artificial lighting. They navigated by these stars, told stories about them, and recognized their dependence on forces greater than themselves.” Through her telescope, she shows them Jupiter’s moons, distant galaxies, and the Southern Cross. As the children take turns looking through the eyepiece, Sarah continues her reflection.

“In the book of Revelation, just before Christ returns, Scripture says the whole earth will be illuminated with God’s glory. That’s always been His intention—not just for a few to know Him, but for His light to reach everyone.”

“But how does that happen?” asks Olivia. “The world seems to be getting darker, not lighter.” “That’s where God’s people come in,” Sarah replies. “Like these stars, we’re most visible when we remain distinct from the darkness around us. If we blend in, our light disappears. The purpose of the Dark Sky Reserve isn’t to eliminate light—it’s to prevent it from being so diffused that it becomes useless for navigation.”

As the night deepens and the stars wheel overhead, Sarah shares her conclusion: “Light doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be effective. Even a single star can guide a lost traveler home. That’s what God intended for Israel and now for His church—not domination through power, but illumination through faithful witness.”

Did You Know? In ancient Israel, God established cities of refuge where those accused of crimes could find safety until proper judgment could be rendered.

These cities served as beacons of justice in a brutal world where revenge killings were common. Similarly, early Christian communities became known as places of refuge during plagues—while others fled infected cities, believers often stayed to care for the sick at great personal risk. This pattern of God’s people serving as “light to the nations” continues throughout history, not through political dominance but through counter-cultural compassion that draws others to recognize God’s character.

🔥 Personal Reflection:

• How might your life more effectively serve as a “light to the nations” in the place where you live?
• What aspects of “Babylon” (worldly systems and values) might be influencing your witness without you realizing it?
• What practical steps could you take this week to help show God’s character to someone who sees only darkness?

🙏 Prayer: God of Light and Truth, You created the stars to govern the night and placed Your people throughout history to illuminate a world darkened by sin. Forgive us for the times we’ve hidden our light by conforming to the very systems from which we’re called to stand apart. As the final call to “come out of Babylon” grows more urgent, heighten our spiritual sensitivity to recognize worldly influences that dim our witness. Make us beacons of hope drawing others toward You—not through imposing our will, but through demonstrating Your character. Let Your glory shine through us until the whole earth is illuminated with the knowledge of who You truly are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.