The Biblical Meaning Of Flickering Lights

The biblical meaning of flickering lights can be seen as the impermanence of worldly things. James 4:14 (Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.) compares life to a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

In life, it is increasingly common for our eyes to latch on to small phenomena that can catch our attention.

These can be small things, such as something moving from the corner of our eye.

It could be something else, too, such as flickering lights. This is a common thing to spot – a light flickering.

To most, it is simply a minor power surge or the light readjusting for one reason or another.

For those of a religious train of thought, though, there is a biblical meaning of flickering lights.

What are these meanings?

Can they be proven, and do they hold any kind of biblical significance?

Let’s take a look.

The biblical meaning of flickering lights can be quite hard to pin down as there are so many variable ideas out there.

Generally, though, to some, they are seen as the presence of spirits and spirits trying to pass on a message to us.

In a biblical context, though, what do flickering lights point to?

The biblical meaning of flickering lights: is it protection from God?

In a biblical sense, one of the most common reasons for a light flickering is protection from a divine source.

This is an increasingly common interpretation of why we see the light flickering.

When going through a tough time in life, we look for help from the Divine.

This can have us praying to the God we believe in, whoever or whatever that might be. However, we want signs that someone is listening.

Well, for many, the biblical meaning of flickering lights is that God – or your chosen deity – is paying attention.

They are trying to pass down a quick message to you: they hear you, they want to help, and they want you to feel as if you are being listened to and cared for.

During a rough period, we can feel like divinity has it out for us.

That God is testing us.

That we have to come through a tough period because of a test of will or even simply as a means of testing our mettle, however, what we do not see during arduous times is the immense level of protection that is bestowed upon us.

Yes, things are bad now – but they could be even worse.

We do not often notice just how much care and protection new receive all around us.

As such, in a biblical sense, the flickering of flights is a sign that God is looking out for you.

That you are protected and that the deity you follow is looking out for you to make sure that you are suitably cared for and protected.

The things that you are dealing with now?

They could be even worse without that support network coming from above.

What about angelic presence?

Another common interpretation within biblical stories of flickering lights is the presence of some angels.

If we see lights flickering, most of us assume it is either a technical glitch or a problem with the circuit. However, in a biblical sense, there is sometimes the insinuation of the presence of something paranormal – such as an angel.

They are here to watch over you and to keep you safe.

It is thought that the presence of angels within the flickering of lights is a warding of sorts.

Of a protection that comes out to look after you and make sure that you are not going to be threatened any further.

It could be a sign of protection from physical threats, mental anguish, or even from a potential problem in your life.

This may be a message that we see when we are in short supply of faith.

Say you are facing off against a tricky financial issue – you could find that the biblical meaning of flickering lights points to you being protected.

To be shown that you are protected, cared for, and that you are not alone.

You might feel alone in this very moment in time, but you are not – you are far from alone.

Ever.

Therefore, the suggestion for many who believe in the biblical meaning of flickering lights is to simply let your worries melt away.

You are protected by divine powers.

You are being watched, cared for, and listened to.

There is no reason to feel like you are being left alone.

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It is time to make progress in life

Another common interpretation of lights flickering comes down to the fact that you need to move forward in life.

It may be a sign from up high that you are simply not making enough progress as a person and that you could do more to take your life in a new direction.

If you see lights flickering, it may be a sign that you are being nudged in the direction of taking action and doing more to change things for yourself.

This is important because many of us simply procrastinate – when we feel down or alone, we do nothing to change.

By spotting lights flickering, it could be a silent but important message – that you need to get up and go.

That you need to take action, and you need to start taking steps to change the record.

Living out the same challenges over and over again will never make your life better.

Flickering lights, though, can point to something trying to direct you to make a positive metamorphosis.

It can be a sign that you should take your health and your current situation more seriously and that you should not continue on the path you are on at present.

Basically, do not be afraid to put yourself out there.

Put your faith in change, and give it everything you have.

The lights flickering are, in the eyes of many, a symbol that you need to start taking new pathways in life.

The light of the wicked

The Bible associates flickering light with wickedness.

This makes sense considering that light is associated with righteousness.

Jesus not only referred to himself as the light of the world (John 8:12), but he also challenged his followers to be the light of the world too (Mathew 5:14).

We also know from scripture that darkness is associated with the devil.

For instance, the devil is referred to as the prince of darkness (Eph 6:12), and the devil’s kingdom is referred to as a kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13). 

The scripture also teaches that light and darkness do not mix.

During creation, God separated light from darkness, and he also created two great lights – the sun to rule daytime and the moon to rule night.

Apostle Pual cautions us not to mix light with darkness because the two cannot have fellowship (2 Cor. 6:14), and Apostle John reminds us that “God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all”

Flickering light is, therefore, a metaphor for an attempt to mix light and darkness.

In the book of Job, we also read how flickering light reveals wickedness:

The light of the wicked will flicker and die, not a spark from his fire will shine, the light in his tent is darkened, the lamp over him will be snuffed out. Job 18:5-6

In the above scripture, Bildad uses the allegory of light to describe the fate of wicked people.

The light of the wicked symbolizes their general well-being and prosperity.

Bildad makes it clear that this light of the wicked eventually flickers and dies.

As a result of the light going out, their tent remains dark. This signifies how the wealth and success of the wicked are short-lived. 

From this scripture, we can infer that God rewards the righteous with prosperity, while the wicked undergo destruction and darkness.

Bildad was using this analogy to suggest that the misfortunes of Job were a result of some wickedness. 

God’s Presence

We know from the Bible that God’s flashes of lightning would often prelude God’s presence on Mt. Sinai.

Here is one such example:

Now all the people witnessed the thundering, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Exodus 20:18

This scripture illustrates how intense the experience on the mountain was for the Israelites.

After the lightning flashes and the other physical expressions of God’s presence, the Israelites were so terrified that they stood afar off.

The response of the people, being afraid and trembling, highlights the profound impact of the divine presence on human sensibilities.

In the context of the biblical narrative, this moment sets the stage for the giving of the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the holiness and majesty of God. 

This was not the first time Israel witnessed this.

One chapter earlier, God had descended upon the mountain before all of Israel in thunder and lightning.

On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Exodus 19:16

The use of flashes of light to represent God is used in other places of scripture to illustrate how awesome God is.

For instance, in the book of Psalms 144:6, the Bible records how God sent his lightning to scatter the enemy.

In this instance, lightning is used to denote God’s judgment.

In Luke 10:18, Jesus said he saw Satan fall like lightning. This also reveals God’s swift decree against him and his cohorts. 

God’s tender mercies

Prophet Isaiah was one of the Messianic prophets because he spoke a lot about the coming messiah.

Here is one of his prophetic declarations on the subject:

A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. Isaiah 42:3

This scripture is part of the “Servant Songs” that are found in the book of Isaiah.

In these songs, the servant is used as a figure that represents the coming Messiah. In the scripture above, the Messiah is portrayed as a compassionate and gentle savior.

The prophet uses two proverbs to illustrate this: “A broken reed he will not break” and a “flickering wick he will not extinguish.”

A reed is fragile, and one that is broken is even more delicate. Instead of harming the reed further, the Messiah is portrayed as one who will be delicate with it.

Similarly, a flickering light paints the picture of a flame that is almost going out.

Instead of extinguishing the weak flame, the Messiah tends it lovingly until he restores it.

This is a metaphor to illustrate how the Messiah would lovingly restore those who are spiritually weak instead of condemning them more. 

We see this prophecy in action in many instances in the ministry of Jesus. But perhaps the most noteworthy is the time the Pharisees brought to him an adulterous woman who had supposedly been caught in the act.

They were baying for her blood because that is what the law of Moses commanded. But Jesus calmly reminded them that they were not guiltless either.

When he said, “Let him that has not sinned cast the first stone,” all of them walked away, and then Jesus turned to the woman and told her to go and not sin again. 

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As you can see, there are several biblical meanings for flickering lights.

The most common theme among them all, though, is that you are being watched and cared for.

That you have someone who is trying to protect you or trying to guide you on a path to personal improvement and betterment in your day-to-day life.

So, if you see flickering lights, do not just assume it is a fault with the wiring.

It could be a deity trying to convince you to change your mindset and mentality for the better.

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