Spiritual illumination is a kind of “creation” that occurs in a human heart. Light is often used as a metaphor in the Bible, and the word illumination (“divine enlightenment of the human heart with truth”) has to do with bringing things into the light. The reality of the creative power of God’s voice has important spiritual implications that go well beyond the creation account itself. The idea of light, existing first in God’s mind, was given form by the words “Let there be light” or “Let light exist.” His personality, power, creativity, and beauty were expressed in creation the same way an artist’s personality and personal attributes are expressed through art or music. The Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth and everything else that exists by simply speaking them into existence (Genesis 1). A literal translation would be a command, something like “Light, exist.” God is speaking into the void and commanding light to come into being. The phrase let there be light is a translation of the Hebrew phrase yehi ˈor, which was translated “ fiat lux” in Latin. Was there some cosmic jailer who was keeping the light under lock and key? The phrase let there be light could be confusing to some modern English speakers who are used to using the word let in the context of permission, as in “Let me out of this box” or “Let me have the last cookie.” Some might wonder whom is God speaking to.

On the first day of creation, God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), and light appeared as a thing separate from darkness.

Let There Be Light by A.M. Johnson