Isaiah 60 - God's Glory in Zion

This chapter is another example of what is called dual or double reference prophecy, where the Scripture gives word pictures of what will happen soon on this earth (near) and what will happen at the end of the age, on the new earth (far). As in the Olivet Discourse, references to near and far are mixed together in Hebrew fashion, making it difficult for our linear western minds to make sense of it. Hence, many think this chapter is ONLY near, lending false support for a dispensational view.

Isaiah 60:1-3 (HCSB) Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD shines over you. For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the LORD will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance.

In 59:9 the people of Israel cried for light, even as they refused the light God had given them; so it is in our current chapter. Isaiah used similar language in 9:2, 29:19, 30:26, 51:17, and 52:2. In this context, his words are reminiscent of the creation account, wherein darkness covered the earth and God created light. The opening of John's gospel conveys this very same message, which begins and ends this chapter: A great light has come in the midst of the sin-darkened world. And His own knew Him not. Lastly, we see in verse 3 a foretelling of the end of the age: Revelation 21:23-25 "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s glory illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Each day its gates will never close because it will never be night there."

Isaiah 60:4-5 (HCSB) Raise your eyes and look around: they all gather and come to you; your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried on the hip. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and rejoice, because the riches of the sea will become yours and the wealth of the nations will come to you.

Sons and daughters (young ones - being carried on the hip) were signs of wealth in the ancient near east. Having these children would cause the Jewish people to rejoice and be satisfied. But I think we ought to look back to the promise to Abram and how it is being fulfilled in the New Covenant - Abraham would be the father to many and all who believe on Christ are children of Abraham, according to promise, not according to fleshly lineage. This will cause all indwelt by the Holy Spirit to tremble and rejoice, as all the riches of the earth will be ours when Jesus returns to make all things new.

Verses 6 - 9 describe the wealth that will be brought to Israel, including camels carrying gold and frankincense; flocks of sheep and goats for sacrifice to glorify God's house; ships from Spain bringing children with silver and gold; all for the honor and glory of YHWH - the Holy One of Israel!

Isaiah 60:10-12 (HCSB) Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you. Although I struck you in My wrath, yet I will show mercy to you with My favor. Your gates will always be open; they will never be shut day or night so that the wealth of the nations may be brought into you, with their kings being led ⌊in procession⌋. For the nation and the kingdom that will not serve you will perish; those nations will be annihilated.

Perhaps God speaks of when Artaxerxes paid for Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of earthly Jerusalem - they were served by that king. He reminds Israel that they have been punished for their rebellion, yet He will have mercy on them, bestowing His favor upon them. Here is a look at prophecy fulfilled in our past, in national Israel's time. What comes next, I believe, is a look at prophecy fulfilled at the end of time, as recorded in Revelation 21:25-26 "Each day its gates will never close because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it." For until then, wars and rumors of war will fill our ears and wicked men and their governments will not be eliminated until the Lamb returns to judge them.

Isaiah 60:13-14 (HCSB) The glory of Lebanon will come to you— ⌊its⌋ pine, fir, and cypress together— to beautify the place of My sanctuary, and I will glorify My dwelling place. The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet. They will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Lebanon coming to Israel reflects the restoration of that land as we read about in 35:2, with images of wealth (healthy trees flourishing) bring beauty to the dwelling place of God. This was accomplished with the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, but God's glory never dominated that place as it had previous ones. His temple on the new earth will fulfill this prophecy, as the oppressors who have plagued God's covenant people will bow down and fall on their faces before us, as Christ noted in Revelation 3:9 "Take note! I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—note this—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you." God's people are now known as His temple; since we belong to the Holy One of Israel, even Christ, we are on Zion, not Sanai - the city of YHWH!

Isaiah 60:15-17 (HCSB) Instead of your being deserted and hated, with no one passing through, I will make you an object of eternal pride, a joy from age to age. You will nurse on the milk of nations, and nurse at the breast of kings; you will know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. I will bring gold instead of bronze; I will bring silver instead of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your guard and righteousness as your ruler.  

This short paragraph lists 6 different contrasts between Israel's treatment by the world and YHWH's treatment of His people, with a statement in the middle showing why He does these things. These 6 contrasts deal with temporal things, dealing with the wealth symbols of the era: prideful, served by kings, having gold, silver, bronze, and iron instead of lesser materials. All these are promised so His people "will know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob." Saints, we need to keep this in mind - the primary, over-arching reason anything and everything was created is to bring glory and honor to God. Our salvation is not primarily about us - it is so God will be glorified in justifying sinners; the angels will continuously marvel at this! And YHWH will appoint peace as our guard and righteousness as our ruler - something that was begun at His first advent and will be complete upon His second and last advent.

Isaiah 60:18-20 (HCSB) Violence will never again be heard of in your land; devastation and destruction ⌊will be gone from⌋ your borders. But you will name your walls salvation and your gates, praise. The sun will no longer be your light by day, and the brightness of the moon will not shine on you; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not fade; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will be over.

Another series of contrasts, but all of these compare the fading glory and constant warfare of this age with the peace and rest of the age to come. No more violence, devastation, or destruction - things which plagued Israel and plague us this day. The walls that protect us will be called "salvation" and the gates called "praise" because the salvation Christ has earned for us keeps us secure for eternity, filling our mouths with praise!

Providing imagery for John's Apocalypse, Isaiah tells us no more sun and moon for light because YHWH will be our eternal light, God will be our splendor. LYWH will be our everlasting light - mentioned twice so we don't miss it - and sorrow will be gone. All that effects of the curse will be gone. See how God describes it: Revelation 21:1-4 (HCSB) "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away."

Eternal light and the glory of God - that's what Isaiah is painting for us. Same as we read in Revelation 22:1-5 (HCSB) "Then he showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the broad street ⌊of the city⌋. The tree of life was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever."

Note the parallels between John's account and Isaiah's and see that both speak the same language, describing the same scene. And this is how our chapter finishes.

Isaiah 60:21-22 (HCSB) Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch I planted, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified. The least will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am Yahweh; I will accomplish it quickly in its time.

In the New Covenant alone are ALL the members righteous, because each has been purchased by Christ and His righteousness imputed to them. We will possess the new earth forever because God has done this! Done this SO HE MAY BE GLORIFIED! He would be great in the kingdom must be a servant of the least; whoever wants to be first in the kingdom must be slave of all (Matt 20:26-27). This reflects the means by which the Lord Jesus came into the world, the least of us from a nowhere town; a servant to His own creatures to the point of death on the cross. Brothers and sisters, let none of us think we He is fortunate to have us; let none of think we are better than those who know Him not. All is done by God for His glory and we have no reason to boast except in Him. We are better than the worst reprobate, we are better OFF because the Lamb of God has given Himself for us.