Colors in the Bible

Colors in the Bible

During this time of year we see a wide variety of colors.

Flowers are in bloom. Flags with various colors wave in the wind.
Fireworks may burst asunder in the sky.

THE GOD WHO CREATED COLOR TALKS ABOUT COLOR IN HIS WORD (THE BIBLE).

Several colors are mentioned in the Scriptures – black, white, purple, red, scarlet and, pale, etc.
What God says about rainbows certainly brings to mind “color.”
This morning we want to consider three colors – white, black, and red, the first being black.
Black is a powerful color.
1. Black hides (covers) while white helps bring to light (uncovers).
2. Some see black as intimidating, unfriendly, and perhaps a symbol of intimidation.

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Our world has “black tie events” and women may have a special “black dress.”

In the Bible and in culture, black may represent evil, grief, death, punishment and sin.
1. A “black eye” is not a good thing. We may not want to be visited by “men in black.”
2. A “blackout” often creates some level of hardship.

Black is an important color in our world, but it is not always a favorable color.
1. Let’s see what the Bible says about the color black, “blackness” or the idea of “darkness.”
2. We begin with a passage which I will cite but not read.

At the end of 1 Kgs. 18 we read about clouds – “black”
With these black clouds was wind – very strong wind. With these clouds and strong wind came a lot of rain.
We can look at the sky and see a coming storm; the sky may be very dark, perhaps, “black.”

Being in a storm w/a blackened sky might be frightening, but it is not nearly as bad as something else.

The word “blackness” is used in the book of Second Peter.
In just a moment I am going to be reading from 2 Pet. 2:17.
1. Peter spoke about a place where there is “blackness” & he said this place has been “reserved.”
2. Generally a “reserved place” is a good place, but such is not true in this instance.

Peter’s place of utter blackness is elsewhere described with the word “hell.”

Colors can come in different shades; in fact, people do not always agree on what some colors are.
In one light a color might seem to be this and in another light, it might seem to be that.
If hell can be described by a color, there is no question about what color it is.
2:17 – READ

Peter said there is no question about what hell is like: it is black – completely black.
Hell is the blackest of black and the darkest of dark; it is utter darkness, pure darkness, 100% darkness.

If all offered all the pleasure man could enjoy but were this dark, it would be a horrible, horrible place.
Hell has no pleasure; hell offers only pain and this pain is received in utter and eternal blackness.
God has used a color to warn us about making sure we walk the narrow way.

Peter did not specifically say the darkness of hell is eternal, but Jude did.
In verse 13 Jude spoke about this “blackness” and also used the word “forever.”
1. Unlike a storm which may pass after a few minutes or a few days, hell is black forever.
2. No day dawns, no sun moves out from underneath the clouds, this place is always without light.

God has used the color “black” to warn us about the afterlife.
The color black is also used in the Bible to warn us about our lives on earth.
1. Back in the OT book of Micah (3:6) we read about false prophets among the people of Israel.
2. This was a period when good was hated and evil was loved (Mich. 3:2).

God said the evil was so great He would not respond to those who called on Him (Mic. 3:4).

He said a time would come when there would be darkness; it would be like “night.”
Persisting in sin leads to bad things; it takes people into a deep, dark existence which leads to ruin.

The color black reminds us of evil, divine judgment, and everlasting punishment.
Whenever we see the color black, remember our God does some teaching through colors, one of which is black.

IF BLACK OFTEN SYMBOLIZES WHAT IS BAD, WHAT ABOUT A COLOR WHICH REPRESENTS SOMETHING GOOD?

A “good” or “good news” color is “white.”
White is an interesting color for several reasons.

In multiple cultures, white is a symbol of purity and innocence.
When angels are described in the Bible (Jn. 20:12), they are described as wearing “white.”
When John described the saved in the book of Revelation, he described them as having “white robes.”
When Jesus was transfigured His clothing was as “white” as white can be (Mk. 9:3).
We read about a “white stone” in Rev. 2:17.
In the middle of our 27^th NT book (Rev. 14:14) we read about a “white cloud.”
Jesus is pictured as riding on a “white horse” in Rev. 19:11.
Three verses later (Rev. 19:14) the saved are described as riding “white horses.”
In the final verse where “white” is mentioned we read about a “white throne” (Rev. 20:11).
1. If we look at our world, white is sometimes used to symbolize weakness or loss.
2. Most are familiar with “raising a white flag” to symbolize surrender or show peaceful intentions.

Associating white with surrender or even an indication of diplomacy is not what we see in the Bible.
For God and His people, “white” is the color of the saved as well as a color for victory.
“White” is for the overcomers.
1. As we go through this life our greatest battle is with sin.
2. In the younger years children might think their greatest struggle involves school.

Then the struggle turn to getting through college, finding a mate, and establishing a family.

Then the focus might switch to a career, then to career advancement, and then possibly retirement.
In the final stage of life the focus man turn to physical health.

The stages just mentioned can be difficult, but they are not man’s greatest challenge.
Man’s greatest problem is sin.
1. The blackness of sin permeates the lives of human beings.
2. If we cannot rid ourselves of sin’s blackness, we will be eternally ruined.

If I had a piece of black construction paper, I could put several colors on it.
1. Some white could be added black paper, as well as green, red and other colors.
2. If I wanted to cover up ever speck of black, this would be difficult if not impossible.

The “God of color” says, “Let’s talk about the color white.”
1. We know what color (figuratively speaking) our eternal spirit becomes due to sin (it is as black as can be).
2. However, the God of all colors tells us:

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (Isa. 1:18).
Someone might say, “Wait a minute – this verse says “scarlet” – not black.” We will deal with that momentarily.
For now, notice the final words in Isa. 1:18 – “white as snow.”
David (Ps. 51:7) also used “white” to describe his being purged from sin – “white as snow.”
Conversion to Christ is described in terms of changing colors.
1. Each sinner who is saved, spiritually speaking, goes from “black to white.”
2. Every evil deed, every evil thought, every sin – small or large – is immediately and fully purged.

The significance of this is partially illustrated by the Bible’s using the color white to describe God.

There are items in life which are referred to as “white,” but this is not their true color.

Our world talks about “white people.”
I have looked at some people who are called “white” and they do not look “too white” to me.
The so-called “white people” almost always have skin which is some variation of tan or brown.
White is a definite color and it is a distinctive
1. In preparing this material I was intrigued by a detail which had escaped my attention.
2. 1:14 associates the color “white” with Jesus.

This is not surprising, but the details about this color are pretty fascinating.

1:14 says Jesus has “white hair” (this does not mean the Lord is old and like a grandpa).
If you have white hair and someone comments about it, maybe tell them you are like the Lord.

The “white hair” in Rev. 1:14 is part of the description to emphasize the Lord’s absolute purity.
Another detail in Rev. 1:14 is one which had not really struck me till this past week.
1:14 – READ

John described Jesus as having a “white”
1. Out of all the possible colors, Jesus has a “white”
2. White head, white hair, white horse, white throne … white is the color associated with God.

This white is not some variation of brown or a dingy white; this is a radiant white.

When we become a Christian, we go from darkness to light.
As angels are pictured with the color white, such is also true for the saved.
1. Dark colors can hide spots and stains; with white, we can see virtually anything.
2. Even water will show on white clothing.

By using the color white to describe the saved, God says His people are spotless.

We can be checked from to back, top to bottom, and side to side and we are sinless.

The world uses the color white to say, “We are giving up.”
The Bible uses the color white to say: We are victorious. We have been washed in the blood of the lamb.
White is the color of the victor. 6:1-2 – READ

WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE COLORS BLACK AND WHITE. LET’S NOW LOOK AT DEEPER COLORS SUCH AS RED AND SCARLET.

In the Bible red or scarlet is used to symbolize sin.

1:18 says sin is like “crimson” and “scarlet.”
1. When a person is born, he or she has an eternal spirit which is like a white cloth.
2. No matter how hard we might look a person’s life is like a spotless white cloth or garment.

As time passes, a child learns more and more and is one day accountable for his/her actions.

When a person becomes accountable, his or her life is no longer 100% white.

When the first sin comes, think of a single drop of red dye falling on to a pure white cloth.
There is only one small drop, but this one drop of red dye is likely the first thing we see.
Soon after that first drop of dye comes another drop, and another drop and another drop.
1. Pretty soon the white is all gone. The pretty white cloth is drenched in drops of dye.
2. A person sees the problem and decides to wring out the cloth, but the dye remain.

Then the person decides to put it in the washing machine (use his or her own ideas to get it clean).

After multiple washings the cloth leaves it stained. The stains seem permanent.

This is precisely what happens in the spiritual realm.
The only way to remove the mess created by the blackness of sin is the blood of Christ.
1:5 says we can be “loosed from our sins” (the cloth can be cleaned) by the blood of Christ.

This weekend many are thinking about three colors: Red, white and blue.
I would like for us to think about three colors as well – red, white and black.

As of today we may still be too young to be charged with blackness of sin.
If we have reached the point where we are accountable, we have stained our spirit with sin.
Our white garment has been stained by the crimson color of sin and we cannot wash this away on our own.
We need the blood of Christ to be white as snow.
We need to access the blood of Christ by being baptized into Him (Gal. 3:27) and then continue in light.

Commentary for the Sermon on the Mount