Word Study: "Lightning"

I am often asked how I study the Scriptures, and there are several things I could suggest, but I am mostly asked about the “Word Studies” I do. So I thought I would give you an example using the word, “Lightning.”

I first grabbed a Concordance and looked up every verse where “Lightning” appeared. Below you will find the list of passages. In the parenthesis, you will see notes I made from the context of the passage where the scripture is given. So here they are:

II Samuel 22:15:
Lightning routed (confused) the enemy—the lightning was sent out when he uttered His voice.

Exodus 19:16:

On the third day there was thunder, lightning flashes, thick clouds upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. (On the third day the Lord was to come down in the sight of all people to Mt Sinai so they might hear the words of the Lord as He spoke to Moses)

Exodus 20:18:

The people perceived the thunder (and) lightning flashes—the sound of the trumpet (this appeared so the people would fear God and not sin).

Job 28:26:

When He set a course for the thunder bolt—then He saw it (wisdom and understanding) He established it (wisdom and understanding)—searched it.

Job 36:30:

He spreads his lightning around him—for by these He judges people (clouds, thundering, lightning).

Job 36:32:

He covers His hands with lightning (light) and commands it to strike the mark, its noise declares His presence.

Job 37:2:

He thunders his voice. Rumblings go out from his mouth and his lightning to the ends of the earth. After it, a voice roars. He thunders with his majestic voice. He does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.

Job 37:11-13:

He disperses the cloud of his lighting and it changes direction, turning around by his guidance. That it may do whatever he commands it on the face of the inhabited earth. Whether for correction or for his world or for loving kindness, he caused it to happen.

Job 37:15:

Do you know how God establishes them and makes the lightning of his cloud shine?

Job 38:35-36:

Can you send forth lightnings that they may go and say to you, “Here we are?” Who has put wisdom in the inner most being or has given understanding to the mind?

Psalm 18:14-15:

He sent lightning flashes in abundance and routed them, then the channels of water appeared and the foundations of the world were laid bare.

Psalm 144:6-7:

Flash forth lightning and scatter them—stretch forth thy hand from on high.

Psalm 77:18:

The lightning lit up the world

Psalm 97:4-6:

His lightning lit up the world, the earth saw and trembled, the mountains melted at the presence of the Lord. The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory.

Exodus 1:13-14:

In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth—the fire was bright and lightning was flashing from the fire—and the living being ran to and fro like lightning (Living beings are symbolic of overcomers)

Daniel 10:6:

The heavenly visitor had a face that had the appearance of lightning (countenance).

Psalm 135:7:

He makes lightning for the rain.

Zechariah 9:14:

His arrow will go forth like lightning.

Nahum 2:4:

They dash to and fro like lightning flashes.

Matthew 24:27:

Just as lightning comes from the east and flashes toward the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.

Matthew 28:3:

Angel that rolled away the stones, their appearance was like lightning.

Luke 10:18:

I was watching satan fall from heaven like lightning.

Luke 11:36:

If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it shall be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.

Revelations 4:5:

And from the throne proceeded flashes of lightning.

Revelations 8:5:

The Angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth; there followed peals of thunder, sounds and flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

Revelations 11:19:

At the resurrection of this working temple of God which is in heaven was opened the ark, his covenant appeared in his temple and there were flashes of lightning.

Conclusion and Revelation

Hebrews 4:12-13:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from his sight, but all things are open and laid dare to the eyes of him with whom you have to do.

Conclusion:Lighting is the anointed word of God going forth from the mouth of saints.

Note:It took two weeks to receive this revelation. It took reading and rereading the scriptures. It took a tremendous amount of meditation and waiting on the Lord. When the revelation came, it became life for me, and provided a tremendous amount of understanding—and imparted even more faith.

Application:As we speak the Word of God, it goes forth from out mouth like lightning. It strikes the mark. It routes the enemy. It judges the people. It accomplishes whatever God commands it to do. It lays bare the foundations of men’s hearts. When his word goes forth, the channels of living water appear. It lights up everything. Nothing can hide from its light. The demonic powers melt at its presence. Men tremble before it. All the people see his glory.

Job 36:32:
He covers his hands (hands represent his ministers) with lightning (which is the anointed word) and commands it to strike the mark. Its noise declares his presence.

Job 37:27:

He does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.

When we speak the anointed word, God does not restrain its impact. It goes forth like unrestrained lightning.

Ezekiel 1:13-14:
In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.

In this symbolic description of the overcomers, they run to and fro like lightning. They are filled with the anointed word of God. They are guided and led by that word. Their whole appearance has the look of that anointing. Their words flash forth under the anointing of God, like lightning. Their very way of life, words and actions declare his presence.

This word picture gives a mental impression and a very deep revelation of what the anointed word does as it issues forth from the mouth of God’s servants.

Nickolas