Lightning has long been associated with power and strength and is sometimes seen as a sign of divine or supernatural presence. In the Bible, lightning is often referred to as a symbol of God’s judgment or wrath. From the burning bush to the fateful shipwrecked sailors, lightning has a powerful and significant place in scripture.
Although lightning figures into several stories throughout the Bible, the most prominent example appears in the book of Exodus. After years of slavery under the Pharaoh of Egypt, God commands Moses to speak to Pharaoh and demand the Israelites’ freedom. In response, Pharaoh increases their work burden. However, God strengthens Moses and his brother Aaron and sets in motion a series of ten plagues that eventually gets Pharaoh to relent.
The ninth plague is referred to as the plague of darkness. During this plague, God states that all of Egypt would be engulfed with darkness, except for the land of Goshen. This plague was then followed by a powerful display of thunder, lightning and hail.
The book of Revelation also mentions lightning in several verses. Here, it serves as a representation of God’s justice and ultimate power. Additionally, heavenly beings are also seen surrounded by lightning and described as “flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder”.
When discussing the power of God, lightning is often mentioned as it brings both fear and awe. In the Bible, lightning is never mentioned in a positive light and is instead a reminder of God’s wrath.
Lightning is also used to signify God’s divine presence and power. Moses receives the Ten Commandments in a powerful display of divine lightning, signifying the importance of God’s laws. Additionally, Ezekiel is led away in a whirlwind and lightning as a means of confirming that God, who is powerful beyond imagination, has called him.
Jesus and Lightning in the Bible
In the books of the Bible, Jesus is seen as the ultimate symbol of love, peace and mercy. Despite this, Lightning still shows God’s power when Jesus is present. While he was preaching, lightning was seen in the sky as a representation of God’s power and glory.In the book of Matthew, Jesus is seen stating that he comes with authority from heaven. He illustrates this by providing an example of lightning being seen in its full glory from the east to the west.
Additionally, lightning illuminates skies just like Jesus works as a beacon of faith to mankind. There is still fear associated with lightning, as it is a reminder of God’s wrath. However, it also serves to remind people that they have access to grace, mercy, and the love of God.
Lightning in Christianity
In Christianity, lightning has adopted a more prominent role. It’s seen as a reminder of God’s power, omnipresence and justice. In some instances, lightning also represents the winged angels that serve as messages and enforcers of God’s will.
Moreover, some Christians view lightning as a symbol of hope. It reminds believers that God is powerful and can be counted on in times of despair. Additionally, the lightning is a reminder of the promises God has made to his people and provides hope that the faithful will someday be rewarded.
One of the most iconic images of lightning in Christianity is Michelangelo’s depiction of the creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Here, lightning appears to be descending from the heavens and is used to signify God’s power. Additionally, the lightning seems to connect Adam to God and emphasizes his role as being made in the image of God.
Lightning in Popular Culture
Popular culture has adopted lightning as a powerful symbol as seen in popular films and television shows. In these stories, lightning is often used to establish the presence of a supernatural element. It’s also seen as a way to signify a powerful force or a strong emotion.
Examples of this can be seen in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, where the main protagonist is depicted with a powerful sword glowing with a blue lightning-like energy. Additionally, Thor from the Marvel universe is seen wielding a powerful hammer that has lightning associated with it.
In more recent adaptations, lightning is presented in a slightly different light. In the popular Disney movie, Frozen, the main female protagonist is portrayed as a goddess-like character, with her powers being associated with lightning. In this instance, lightning is used to evoke awe and fear, but is ultimately seen as a positive symbol.
Conclusion
Overall, lightning is a powerful symbol in the Bible and in popular culture. In the Bible, it is primarily used to illustrate God’s justice and power, while in popular culture, it is often associated with strength, power, and even hope. Although it is sometimes associated with fear, it is also seen as a reminder of God’s grace, mercy and love.
