SUNRISE or SUNSET
When Does a Day Begin?
A
ccording to the weight of evidence in Scripture, a day is a mere twelve hours in length and commences at sunrise and terminates at sunset. The night is divided by four watches commencing at sunset and terminating at sunrise. A full calendar date is twenty-four hours long and is not synonymous with a day. In contrast a full lunar calendar date includes all the components of both the day and the night, and commences at sunrise and not at midnight or sunset. A day is only the first half of a full lunar calendar date, while the night is the second half. The day and night occupy opposite portions of time in a full lunar calendar date. Day and night never overlap or occupy the same space of time.
For far too long, good and honest people have been content with a surface reading of Scripture for their beliefs, when all along the truth requires a deeper study into the original Hebrew or Greek words. Additionally, all pertinent details must be gathered on this, as in every subject, to establish the foundation of truth. From the pen of inspiration comes the following present truth designed to equip Yahuwah's faithful for the battles over truth that lie ahead.
For far too long, good and honest people have been content with a surface reading of Scripture for their beliefs, when all along the truth requires a deeper study into the original Hebrew or Greek words. Additionally, all pertinent details must be gathered on this, as in every subject, to establish the foundation of truth. From the pen of inspiration comes the following present truth designed to equip Yahuwah's faithful for the battles over truth that lie ahead.
We need to gather divine rays of light from Christ. We need to search the Scriptures, and dig deep in the mines of truth; for the precious jewels do not always lie on the surface; we should search for them as for hidden treasure. Signs of the Times, Dec. 8, 1890.
Truth is progressive; and those who are preparing for the last great day will go forward in accordance with the accumulated light which shines upon them from the prophecies and from the lessons of Christ and the apostles. Review and Herald, January 5, 1886, par. 6.
The dealings of God with His people in the past should receive our careful attention. We should learn the lessons which they are designed to teach us. But we are not to rest content with them. God is leading out His people step by step. Truth is progressive. The earnest seeker will be constantly receiving light from heaven. What is truth? Should ever be our inquiry. Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, p.1000.
Great truths that have lain unheeded and unseen since the day of Pentecost, are to shine from God's word in their native purity. Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 473.
Our exploration of truth is yet incomplete. We have gathered up only a few rays of light. Those who are not daily students of the Word will not solve the problems of the Jewish economy. They will not understand the truths taught by the temple service." Spalding Magan Collection, p. 306 (Ellen White).
Question 1: According to Genesis 1:1-5, what was the first thing the Creator called forth into existence?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. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. Genesis 1:1-5 NKJV
Answer: The first thing He created was "light."
Question 2: What was the first thing the Creator named?
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. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. Genesis 1:1-5 NKJV
Answer: Light was the first thing the Creator named. He called the light "day."
Question 3: What was the second thing the Creator named?
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. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. Genesis 1:1-5 NKJV
Answer: Darkness was the second thing the Creator named. He called the darkness "night."
Question 4: According to Genesis 1:1-5, when did the Creator make the darkness?
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. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. Genesis 1:1-5 NKJV
Answer: Surprising as this may be to some, the Creator did not make or create the darkness. As defined above, darkness is the absence of light. Darkness was the absence of the creative force. To make a distinction between the darkness and the light the creator separated them, meaning that they will forever hold different periods of time and never overlap. He then sealed His declaration that He separated them when He gave them their names. Day and night are not synonymous terms, but rather they are opposites.
Question 5: Since darkness is the absence of light, then what is night?
Answer: Night is the absence of day as defined by Genesis 1:1-5.
Question 6: According to the entire New Testament, daylight is divided into 12 basic units of time. What are these units called?
And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. Matthew 20:9-10 NKJV
Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." John 11:9-11 NKJV
Answer: They are called "hours." The daylight, from sunrise to sunset, consists of twelve hours. Hours were reckoned by the shadows on a sundial. Even though some days of summer are longer than the days of winter, it always shows up on a sundial as 12 hours.
Question 7: A sundial only works during the hours from sunrise to sunset, what was used to reckon units of time during the dark of night?
Answer: It is the celestial star/planets in the heavens above that determine the length of the four watches of the night (Mark 13:35).
- Evening Watch – This first watch of the night commences at sunset and it occupied the period known as dusk or twilight, and ends at full darkness. Matthew 13:35
- Midnight Watch – This second watch of the night commences at full darkness and ends precisely at Midnight. It was the position of the moon and the stars that declared true midnight. Luke 12:38
- Cock Crowing Watch – This third watch of the night commences at midnight and ends at the first light of dawn or morning twilight. Also, this was the period that was characteristic of when the rooster began to crow. Luke 12:38
- Morning Watch – This fourth watch of the night commences at the first visible light in the eastern sky, the time the rooster began to crow, which is also known as dawn or morning twilight. The Morning Watch ends at sunrise. Matthew 14:25
Question 8: Is there a secondary application that would render the division of the "day and the "night," a spiritual law of the Creator.
Answer: According to Scripture the night was divided into four watches. The moon, along with the position of the stars, was the guide to knowing each fourth part of the night. Notice how these parameters of the night also define the boundaries of the "day." There can be no overlapping. The night ends as the new day begins at sunrise.
The term "night watch" was born out of the idea of watching for the first rays of a new day at sunrise. The focus was always on the light; looking for the light; ever seeking the light. In this way a living illustration was created that expressed the value Yahuwah places on the light of day in contrast to the dark of night.
The term "night watch" was born out of the idea of watching for the first rays of a new day at sunrise. The focus was always on the light; looking for the light; ever seeking the light. In this way a living illustration was created that expressed the value Yahuwah places on the light of day in contrast to the dark of night.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:20-21
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:23-24
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6
Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:8-11 NKJV
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Kerrie L. French
Freelance writer/Illustrator