Isaiah 60

CHAPTER 60THEME: The Redeemer and Gentiles come to Jerusalem; the return of Israel to Jerusalem; Jerusalem’s realization of all God’s promisesThe last part of Isaiah, I have a notion, is virgin territory to a great many folks because no school of prophecy dwells on this particular section of Scripture. In this chapter we see the Sun of Righteousness rising upon Israel; it is that which Malachi said would come to pass in the last days. When He comes, it will be like the sun rising into midnight darkness. In that day the nation Israel will reflect the glory light here upon the entire earth. The church, in the meantime, has gone to be with Christ. To attempt to make the nation Israel and the church synonymous is an interpretation that bogs down when you get into an area like this.

It is an unsatisfactory interpretation which does not meet the dimensions of these prophecies. I emphasize this because it has caused so much confusion. Certain schools of Bible interpretation place little importance on prophecy because they neglect sections like this great chapter in the Word of God. This third and final division of the Book of Isaiah presents the Redeemer on the Cross (ch. 53). Following that there has been a definite progress and development which speaks not of the government of God (as the first part of Isaiah did), but rather of the grace of God. In the first section the emphasis was upon law; here it is upon grace. We find hereas we found also in the first sectionthat there is love in law. Also in this section we find that there is law in love. The chapter before us brings us to the full manifestation of the Millennium. Chapter 59 closed by saying that the Redeemer will come to Zion. Now as we move along in chapter 60, He has come. In the Hebrew language there is what is known as the prophetic tensewhen the prophet goes beyond the event and looks back at it as if it were history. Isaiah speaks of many future things as having already taken place. For example, he begins by saying, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” And you can understand that for God to say a thing is going to happen, He is already on the other side of itfor Him it is just the same as its having taken place. In other words, prophecy is the mold into which history is poured.

Isaiah 60:1

THE REDEEMER AND GENTILES COME TO JERUSALEMThe Light has now come of which Malachi had spoken: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings …” (Mal_4:2).

Isaiah 60:2

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Light of the worldthat was one of His claims when He was here. When He comes to the earth the second time, He is that Light. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth.” The coming of the Light is necessitated by the night of spiritual darkness that has covered the earthand covers the earth today. In spite of the preaching of the gospel for nineteen hundred years, there is a wider circle of darkness today than ever before. Light must precede the future blessings. The Sun of Righteousness must rise to bring the millennial day. The preaching of the gospel was never intended by God to bring in the Millennium because it takes the Light to bring in the Millennium. And who is the Light? The Lord Jesus. We need the presence of the Redeemer in Zion, and He is going to bring the Gentiles from afar.

Isaiah 60:3

I believe that the greatest revivalthat is, the greatest turning to God is yet in the future. In Rom_11:15 Paul says, “For if the casting away of them [Israel] be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” It will be the resurrection of the nation Israel and the resurrection of the world. You and I live on a little clod of earth in space that is just a glorified cemetery!

Isaiah 60:4

Rebellious and scattered, they are going to come back to the Land of Promisebut in obedience to God. The women, who are weaker than men, are carried, like women in the East often carry their children, on their hips.

Isaiah 60:5

Here you see the tremendous movement of all peoples toward Jerusalemby land, by sea, and by airwhich will be an occasion of astonishment.

Isaiah 60:6

Again wise men, not only from the East, but from all over the world, will come with gifts of gold and incense for the Redeemer. Notice that they are not going to bring myrrh. Why? Because myrrh spoke of Christ’s death at His first coming. At His second coming they bring no myrrh. This is a remarkable verse!

Isaiah 60:7

Flocks are brought to Jerusalem for sacrifice. The sacrifices will be reinstituted in the millennial temple. This may be difficult for some to accept, but the Old Testament is very definite at this point. Read, for example, Ezekiel 40-44. These sacrifices, I believe, will point back to the death of Christ as in the Old Testament they pointed forward to His death. They will have the same meaning.

Isaiah 60:8

THE RETURN OF ISRAEL TO JERUSALEMIf there is any prophecy in Scripture that suggests the airplane, this is it, but I think the direct reference is to ships of the sea. It does not refer to what is happening today, although I understand that Jews who have come from farther East than Israel thought this prophecy was being fulfilled as they were brought by American airplanes to the land of Israel; but it does not quite meet the dimensions of the prophecy.

Isaiah 60:9

“Tarshish,” as used here, evidently refers to all seagoing nations whose ships will be used to return Israel to the Land of Promise. The nations who once destroyed Israel will assist in her recovery. At that time Russia will send the Jews back to their land. Instead of demanding payment, they will send the Jews off with gifts as the Egyptians did. After all, Israel only collected their back pay from the Egyptians, and they had a great deal coming because they had been in slavery for four hundred years.

Isaiah 60:11

The nations of the world that are saved are going to come to Jerusalem in the Millennium.

Isaiah 60:12

The Lord Jesus made it clear that His judgment upon the nations would be based on their treatment of the Jews (See Mat_25:31-46). In the Millennium every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (see Php_2:10-11). In the Millennium all mankind will be forced to bow to Jesus. The force, of course, will be the force of public opinion in that day. In their hearts there will be those who won’t want to bow, but they will go through the motions. Then when Satan is released at the end of the Millennium, those with rebellious hearts will naturally gravitate toward him, which will be the last rebellion. Then the eternal aspect of the Kingdom will be introduced.

I believe at that time certain radical changes will take place. It won’t be a patched-up earth, but a new earth and new heavens will come into existence. God is going to make all things new, and He is going to let me start over again. I am looking forward to that! I haven’t done so well since I began my life in Texas many years ago. I would like to start over.

God is going to make all things new. He is not going to retool the old nature; He is going to give me a new nature, and He is going to give a new nature to everyone who has trusted in Him. What a glorious, wonderful day that will be!

Isaiah 60:15

JERUSALEM’S REALIZATION OF ALL GOD’S PROMISESAs Isaiah said in chapter 2, Jerusalem will become the center of the earth. A great deal of blessing will come in that day.

Isaiah 60:16

The riches of Jerusalem, which were taken away by the nations, will be restored with interest.

Isaiah 60:17

It is interesting that we see so many objects of brass in that land today. The markets of Egypt and Lebanon sell many brass objects, but in that future day they will be replaced by silver and gold objects for sale. In other words, precious metals will become commonplace again. Now notice some other wonderful things which will take place:

Isaiah 60:19

Jesus, the Light of the world, will be there. He is also the Light of the New Jerusalem. The universe no longer will need street lights on the corners. After all, the suns and stars are street lights out in space. God did not light up the universe very well because sin had come in, but in that day He is really going to light things up!

Isaiah 60:22

Human strength will be increased in that day without resorting to vitamins! The Lord Jesus called attention to the fact that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. In my own experience I find that my flesh just doesn’t keep up with me! I would like to go much faster, but my body holds me back. However, in that future day all of this will be correctedcorrected here on earth as it will be corrected for the heavenly people.