It's a New Day

Sin and Satan’s influence are referred to as darkness. Every person who does not know Jesus as Savior and Lord walks in the darkness. They are at home in sin.

Righteousness and faith and the Kingdom of God is referred to as a light. Christians are told to walk in the light as He is in the light.

This theme is mentioned over 70 times in the New Testament.

Christians are to be people of the light who declare that Jesus is the light of the world.

Isaiah 60 emphasizes darkness and light. It is more than just the darkness of their exile in Babylon, and their release. It is also more a picture of Gentiles coming to faith in Jesus.

I believe Isaiah telescopes forward to the ultimate dark days of the Tribulation period, and the 2nd Coming of Jesus with GREAT GLORY. As a matter of fact John quotes Isaiah in Revelation .

And God assures Jerusalem that they will have a role to play in those future days.

The Coming of God’s Glory

Isaiah 60:1–2 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.

Glory used 20 plus times. It is God’s “heavy” presence. cloud by day, fire by night. Showed up on Mt. Sinai, the Tabernacle, the Temple, and in the person of Jesus.

The first time he came he was crucified for our sins.

The next times he comes, it will be as King of the World.

Arise shine.... Wake up, its a big day.

What a promise to Israel with a promise for us. It won’t always be dark. It won’t always hurt. It won’t always be judgment. It won’t always be heartache. There is a promised better day.

The Return of a People

Isaiah 60:3–9 HCSB

Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance. 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. Caravans of camels will cover your land — young camels of Midian and Ephah— all of them will come from Sheba. They will carry gold and frankincense and proclaim the praises of the Lord. All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on My altar as an acceptable sacrifice. I will glorify My beautiful house. Who are these who fly like a cloud, like doves to their shelters? Yes, the islands will wait for Me with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from far away, their silver and gold with them, for the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

The Jewish people will return from all over the world. Many people have put much stock in the rebirth of Israel in 1948. When you walk the streets of Jerusalem it is not uncommon to have someone say to you “welcome home.” This may be a precursor. But it is NOT the fulfillment of these verses..

By the way, please note that God plan’s to “glorify his beautiful house.” This is in keeping with the last several chapters of Ezekiel that promise an enlarged and restored Temple during this period.

But please don’t miss the big picture: Israel’s King will bring this glory. He will be in charge and will bring about a restoration like no one could imagine. (I believe God is always in the work of restoring broken down things, and using them for HIS GLORY!)

The Respect of the Nations

Isaiah 60:10–14 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. 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.

God gives Isaiah a glimpse of a restored Nation that the Nations looks to and adore.

It has always been God’s plan to use Israel and Israel’s King to be a light to he whole world.

Luke 2:32 HCSB

a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.

Israel will once again prosper as it did in the days of Solomon.

Israel will be the spiritual lighthouse of the whole world.

The Restoration of a People

Isaiah 60:15–22 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. 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. 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.

The rest of the chapter bares out the literal nature of this restoration to Jerusalem. In order to make a prosperous, redeemed, restored people out of a Nation that was almost completely destitute and lost forever. This was brought on by their idolatry, rebellion, and lack of faith. But God has great plans to reach down to them with grace and love and mercy.

What’s the takeaway? God intends to take his people out of darkness and bring them into the light of His Kingdom and His plan for their lives.

While the context deals with the nation of Israel, this speaks to all of us.

There is not a person in this room God doesn’t want to save, to redeem, to take from darkness to light.

There is no one too far gone. No one too dark.

Some need to come to Christ today.

Child of God, God has great plans for you. Walk in the light. His best is there. Point to the light. Others need to see Jesus in and through you.