What was the spiritual state of the world at the time of Christ?
At the time of Christ, the world was steeped in idolatry, paganism, and mythology, with the exception of the Jews, who should have had knowledge of the one true God. Yet even Israel was in spiritual darkness, and the darkness covered the earth.
Les explains that the darkness mentioned in Isaiah 60:2 is spiritual, not physical. He repeatedly taught that at the time of Christ, the whole world was steeped in idolatry, paganism, and mythology, with the exception of the Jews, who should have had a knowledge of the one true God. But even Israel was in spiritual darkness, as Isaiah said, 'gross darkness the people.' This is why Christ came to the nation of Israel: to reveal Himself—who He was, what He was, and why He had come. They should have had their eyes open and should have known who He was. The prophecy called Israel to 'arise and shine, for thy light is come,' and Jesus declared, 'I am the light of the world.'