Isaiah 60:1

Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people. But the Lord shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising... All the flocks of Kadar shall be gathered together unto thee. The rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee, and they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.

When the Light comes, those who sat in darkness are called to rise and reflect His glory to the nations.

A People in Darkness Called to Shine

In chapter 59 last week, we saw darkness and blindness upon the children of Israel. Isaiah said, "We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind." The people of Judah and Jerusalem were living in the cities of Judah, the city of Jerusalem still standing in their midst, yet they were in desolation because of their sin.

They walked in darkness, and God speaks through His prophet, "Arise and shine." But how could they arise and shine while in the midst of darkness? God is speaking of something yet to come. Notice verse 1: "for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." When their light would come, then they would rise and shine.

The Light That Comes Is Christ

What is that light? In the Gospel of John we find the answer. In John 8:12—one of Jesus' seven "I am" statements—Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world; and he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." To substantiate that claim, in the very next chapter He heals a man born blind to prove He is the light of the world.

Spiritually, Judah and Jerusalem in Isaiah's day were walking in darkness because of their blindness. God calls them to arise and shine, but that shining cannot take place until their light comes. This points both to Christ's first coming, in which we are called to shine brightly, and to His second coming, when He will glorify His people Israel once again.

Jesus came, suffered, died, and rose to give light. Acts 26:23 says "Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." We tonight are the recipients of that light shining to the Gentiles. In Ephesians 5:14 Paul says, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

One of my favorite verses in the whole Bible is 2 Timothy 1:10: "it is made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." Jesus exposes life and immortality, opening the mystery of the resurrection so we can see it.

Why People Reject the Light

Not all people recognize the light. John 1:10 says He "was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." This world, in darkness because of the blindness of sin, does not recognize the light. And verse 11 adds that even "his own received him not."

Why do so many not respond? The answer comes in John 3, when Jesus speaks to Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel who came by night. Jesus tells him, "you must be born again," and then says in verse 19, "this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

Most people don't want to come to the light, not just because they're blind, but because they do not want to be exposed. The great lie of Satan is that you should not come to the light because you'll be ruined. But 1 John 1:7 tells us that when we come to the light, yes, our sin is exposed—but we find something greater than our sin: the blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin.

The Church Called to Reflect His Light

We, the church, are those called out of darkness into the light of Christ. First Peter 2:9 says we are now to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. That is our commission: to go into all the world and proclaim His praises.

And we are to arise and shine. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." We have no light in ourselves—we're actually pretty dull. But just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, we are to reflect the light of the Son, Jesus Christ. As He shines on our lives, we are to shine in this world.

Darkness Covers the Earth, but Glory Rests on His People

Verse 2 says, "the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light." God's intent for Israel was the same desire He has for us: a people set apart, called out of darkness so He could shine upon them, and they would reflect His light to the rest of the world. They failed at that, and we too are in danger of failing. But God promises He will fulfill His work; the world will see not their glory, but His glory upon them.

This echoes Isaiah 8, where God rebuked His people for seeking mediums, wizards, and those who mutter rather than seeking the Lord. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The only enlightening truth is in God's word. Many in this world supposedly have truth, yet they are full of darkness.

The Promised Light of the First Coming

But Isaiah 9 gives a promise of the Messiah's first coming: "the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light." Those in the northern tribes, in Galilee of the Gentiles, would see this light shine. It would bring joy and rejoicing, deliverance, and break the yoke of the oppressor. Verse 6 tells us what this light is: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." That is Jesus' first coming. Isaiah 60, however, speaks of His light coming in a second coming to all nations, shining upon His people.

The Nations Gather in the Millennial Reign

Verses 4 and 5 call God's people to lift up their eyes and see the multitudes gathering—bringing back the dispersed children of Israel, the strength of the Gentiles coming up to His glorified people at Jerusalem. This very likely speaks of the time when God glorifies Israel once again during the millennial reign of Christ.

That may be a new term to you. Prophetically, there is coming a day when Jesus returns to judge the wicked, and then He will rule and reign upon the earth for a thousand years. During that time He will reglorify His people Israel and give them a new work as priests of the Lord. Gentile peoples who were not judged in the day of God's vengeance will enter the millennial reign, gather at Jerusalem at a rebuilt temple, and worship the Lord, while Jesus Himself is here in bodily form.

Former Enemies Bringing Gifts

Verse 6 mentions "the multitude of camels... the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah." In Judges 6, the Midianites oppressed Israel for seven years, coming up at harvest time with camels without number—like grasshoppers—to steal the people's increase. That's why Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding his harvest. The perfect modern picture is the Pixar movie A Bug's Life: the ants gather, and every harvest Hopper and his grasshoppers come and take it away. I wonder if they didn't pull it directly from Gideon's story.

But here, those same Midianites—Ephah was Midian's firstborn—come back into the land during the millennial reign not to steal, but to "bring gold and incense, and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD." A great transformation will take place.

Verse 7 names "the flocks of Kedar" and "the rams of Nebaioth"—sons of Ishmael (Genesis 25:13). Abraham, promised descendants as numerous as the stars, grew antsy and tried to help God by producing Ishmael through Hagar. God blessed Ishmael with twelve sons, the first two being Nebaioth and Kedar. Midian, too, was a descendant of Abraham through Keturah, whom Abraham married after Sarah died (Genesis 25). These relatives of Israel were enemies throughout their history—yet in the time to come they will be rejoined to Israel, worshiping God.

What is awesome is that the descendants of Ishmael and Midian today are Islamic peoples, Muslims. Yet there is coming a day when even they will be redeemed into the reign of Christ, ministering and serving God.

Distant Nations Brought Near

Verse 8 sees a multitude flying "as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows"—not birds of prey, but a cloud of doves journeying up to Jerusalem. The distant nations, "the isles," wait for the Lord's voice. They will help bring back the children of Israel and bring their silver and gold as an offering.

Verse 10 says "the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee." Foreigners and even kings return to help rebuild the waste places and serve God's people. This is not the church—the church will be ruling and reigning with the Lord. Israel will serve as priests, and the surviving nations will gather at Jerusalem with acceptable offerings: people from every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping the Lord.

When God smote Israel in anger, they had to seal their cities behind walls and gates. But when He pours out His mercy, "thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night." In ancient times a city shut its gates at sundown and posted watchmen. But in this day there will be no terror—and an abundance of treasure. A steady stream of peoples will come up before the Lord day and night, so the gates remain open.

The Restoration of the Earth

Verse 12 warns that "the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish." The covenant of Genesis 12:3—"I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee"—extends into the millennial reign. Any nation that will not serve the Lord and His people will be among the wicked destroyed at the day of vengeance.

Verse 13 brings "the glory of Lebanon"—today an enemy of Israel—as a gift to the Lord, just as Hiram, king of Tyre and Lebanon, brought wood to Solomon to build the temple. God will "beautify the place of my sanctuary, and make the place of my feet glorious." In 1 Chronicles 28:2, David calls the temple the footstool of our God; Ezekiel 40–47 describes a glorious temple yet to be built. And since Isaiah 66:1 says "the earth is my footstool," I think this also means the earth itself will be restored to a beauty we have not seen—many believe like it was before the fall.

There are all these people seeking to make the earth better and save it from global warming. We ought to be good stewards of creation as God called us to be—but we also recognize that He will return one day and set the ecology right, and we look forward to that day.

Verse 14 says the descendants of those who afflicted Israel—nations like Assyria, Syria, Lebanon, Babylon—will come bending and bow at the soles of their feet, not because Israel is great, but because Israel's God is great. The Assyrians blasphemed the Lord in Isaiah 36–37, calling Him just like the gods of other nations; but they will yet reverence and fear Him.

Replacing Judgment with Glory

Verse 16 says, "thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer." When you see this restoration, you will know it is the Lord who has done it. Verse 17: "For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron." God promises to make all things better and stronger.

The illustration breaks down, but in Scripture bronze pictures judgment, gold pictures glory, iron pictures bondage, and silver pictures redemption. So God says, "I will take away judgment and give you glory; I will remove bondage and redeem you." And "I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness"—no longer harsh taskmasters, but peace and righteousness ruling.

We who follow Jesus already live under this kind of rule. Philippians 4:6–7: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." We already enjoy His peace guiding us; for Israel this is yet future.

The Lord Their Everlasting Light

Verse 18: "Violence shall no more be heard in thy land... but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise." Salvation and praise will be the protection of God's people; they won't need physical walls. Revelation describes a city without walls, protected by God's salvation and praise.

Verses 19–20 say the sun and moon will no longer be their light, "for the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light." Revelation 21:23 says the city "had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." Revelation 22:5 adds, "there shall be no night there... for the Lord God giveth them light." We opened with the call to arise and shine because the glory of the Lord shines upon His people—and here we see that glory enlightening the whole earth.

Verses 21–22: God's people will be all righteousness, "the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified." Life under Christ's reign is abundant and full, life is extended, and descendants are many—"a little one shall become a thousand." We believers experience that abundant life now. John 10:10: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 17:3: "this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." We have already entered this life that will never end.

The Anointed One Speaks: Isaiah 61

Isaiah 61:1 says, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek... to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God." Who is speaking? Luke 4 gives a clear answer. In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus opened the scroll of Isaiah and read this very passage, then sat down and said, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."

In first-century Jewish custom, a rabbi stood to read Scripture, then sat down to teach. When Jesus sat and all eyes fastened on Him, He declared the passage fulfilled. But notice—He stopped reading mid-sentence, at "to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD," and did not read "and the day of vengeance of our God." Why? Because Isaiah 61 prophesies both comings of the Messiah. We today are still standing upon that comma, living in the acceptable year of the Lord. But there is coming a day when Jesus comes a second time for the day of vengeance of our God.

The Day of Vengeance and the Restoration

Your homework this week is to read Isaiah 34 and 35—chapter 34 speaks of the day of vengeance, chapter 35 of what comes after. Isaiah 34:8: "it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion." Isaiah 63 also prophesies the Lord coming from Edom with garments stained as one treading the winepress: "I have trodden the winepress alone... for the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come."

So follow the picture. Jesus will return to execute wrath and judge the unrighteous, and then He will redeem and comfort those of His people who mourn in Zion (Isaiah 61:3), giving them "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." The word comfort comes from the Latin con (with) and fortis (strong)—to strengthen by companionship. He will show up, be here on the earth, and strengthen His people by His presence. It's as if God takes them from the dirge of a funeral to the rejoicing of a marriage—"that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." Ultimately the goal is the glory of God.

Then comes restoration. Isaiah 61:4: "they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations." Strangers and foreigners will feed Israel's flocks and be their plowmen and vinedressers, "but ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD." Israel will take their rightful place as priests of God, supported by the riches of the Gentiles, just as the Levites were supported by the rest of the nation. Verse 7: "for your shame ye shall have double... everlasting joy shall be unto them."

Clothed in the Righteousness of Christ

Verse 10: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD... for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness." Israel throughout their history thought they were righteous because of who they descended from or what they did. They failed to recognize that only being clothed in God's righteousness would they be safe. In the coming kingdom, God says, "I will clothe you with my righteousness."

We, the church, already recognize this. Second Corinthians 5:21: "he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Paul says in Philippians 3 that he might be found in Christ, "not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

And Israel will one day come to this same recognition. Jeremiah 23:6: "In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jeremiah 33:16 repeats it of Judah. They will one day understand they cannot stand before God on their own righteousness, but only in the righteousness of Christ.

This should instruct and exhort us. We cannot stand before God in worship or service by our own strength and good works, but only by the blood of the Lamb—found in Him, not having our own righteousness, but the righteousness that is by faith in Jesus Christ. That is how we stand, church. No other way. And that is how we shine.

Romans 3:21–22: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." We receive Christ's righteousness not by who we are, who we descended from, or what we've done, but by grace through faith. "The just shall live by faith."

Closing Prayer

Father, we look forward to the day when, as we read in Isaiah 61:11, the earth will bring forth its fruit exceedingly and bountifully, and You will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations. We look forward to the day when You rule and reign here upon the earth. But God, even tonight before we close, we submit ourselves to You, asking that You would rule and reign in our lives, that Your will would be done on earth as it already is in heaven. Work in our lives that which is glorifying to You, that we would shine brightly in a dark world. For now is the time for us to shine. So Father, help us to let our light so shine that this world would see our good works and glorify You. For ultimately, Your glory is what we're looking forward to. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.