Isa 60 | MHM | STEP | The Extension of the Church. In this chapter, God promises that his people will be blessed with light, joy, and growth. The “gospel temple”—meaning the church—will be full of God’s light and will welcome many people from all over the world. These promises look beyond just Israel’s return from captivity. They point to the coming of Christ and the way people from all nations will come to God through him. v. 1–2 : God calls his people to rise up and shine. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1 ). When the Jews returned from exile, they experienced new joy and hope. But this promise is even greater—it is fulfilled in Jesus, the Redeemer, who is the true Light of the world. While darkness covers other nations, God’s people will have his light and blessing (Isaiah 60:2 ). God’s presence brings joy, knowledge, and honor to his church.

‏ Isaiah 60

The Extension of the Church.

In this chapter, God promises that his people will be blessed with light, joy, and growth. The “gospel temple”—meaning the church—will be full of God’s light and will welcome many people from all over the world. These promises look beyond just Israel’s return from captivity. They point to the coming of Christ and the way people from all nations will come to God through him.

v. 1–2: God calls his people to rise up and shine. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1 ^a). When the Jews returned from exile, they experienced new joy and hope. But this promise is even greater—it is fulfilled in Jesus, the Redeemer, who is the true Light of the world. While darkness covers other nations, God’s people will have his light and blessing (Isaiah 60:2 ^b). God’s presence brings joy, knowledge, and honor to his church.

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v. 3–4: Many nations and kings will be drawn to God’s light. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:3 ^c). People from far away will come, bringing their families to join God’s people. The church will not be limited to one place or one group, but will welcome people from every nation. Like children coming home, they will be cared for and taught in God’s family (Isaiah 60:4; Hebrews 12:22 ^d).

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v. 5–7: As the church grows, people will bring their wealth and gifts to honor God. The abundance of the sea shall be converted to you, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto you (Isaiah 60:5 ^e). Merchants and rulers from different lands will use their resources to serve God’s church. Some will bring gold and incense, just as the wise men brought gifts to Jesus (Isaiah 60:6; Matthew 2:11 ^f). Even those who were once outsiders will be welcomed, and their offerings will be accepted by God (Isaiah 60:7 ^g). The church will become a place of honor for God’s name.

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v. 8: The growth of the church will be amazing and surprising. People will say, Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? . Many people will hurry to join the church, seeking shelter, hope, and peace. Just like flocks of doves returning home, people from all over the world will come to God’s family.

The Enlargement of the Church.

In these verses, God repeats and expands on his promises to bless and grow his church. The message was meant to comfort the Jews after their return from captivity, but it also looks forward to the time when the gospel will reach people all over the world. God promises to show favor to his people, to welcome many from far away, and to make his church beautiful and honored in the eyes of the nations.

v. 9: People from distant lands will come to God’s church. Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord your God . These people will give themselves and their resources to God, recognizing his glory and greatness.

v. 10: Even foreigners and powerful leaders will help build up the church. The sons of strangers shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister unto you . God says he once punished his people, but now shows them mercy. Those who once ignored or opposed God’s people will come to help them.

v. 11: The church’s gates will always be open. Your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night . This means there will always be room for more people to come in. Nations and their leaders will bring their gifts and join God’s people at any time.

v. 12: Any nation or kingdom that refuses to serve God’s church will be ruined. The nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted . Those who do not accept God’s rule or join his people will miss out on his blessings and face judgment (Psalm 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ^h).

v. 13: The church will be made beautiful and glorious. The glory of Lebanon shall come unto you, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary . God will make his house a place of beauty and honor, something wonderful for all people to see.

v. 14: Those who once opposed and looked down on God’s people will come and show them respect. The sons also of them that afflicted you shall come bending unto you… and they shall call you, The city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel . The church will be known as a special place where God lives and is honored, and even former enemies will recognize its greatness and holiness.

The Glory of the Church.

This passage describes the wonderful change that God will bring to his people. Although the church was once weak, hated, and troubled, God promises to make it strong, honored, and full of joy. These promises look forward to the blessings of the Christian church and even give us a picture of the final happiness of God’s people in heaven.

v. 15–16: The church was once despised and rejected. Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through you, I will make you an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations (Isaiah 60:15 ⁱ). Now, God promises to make her beautiful and full of joy. Nations and kings will support and care for her, and she will know that the Lord is her Savior and Redeemer (Isaiah 60:16 ^j). The church will receive love and honor from others and will experience God’s mighty salvation.

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v. 17: Things will be much better than before. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver . God promises to replace everything old or poor with something much better. Instead of harsh rulers, there will be officers of peace and righteousness. The church will be a place of justice and blessing.

v. 18: There will be no more violence or fear. Violence shall no more be heard in your land… but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise . God’s protection will surround his people, and everyone will praise him for the peace and safety he gives.

v. 19–20: God himself will be the everlasting light of his people. The sun shall no longer be your light by day… but the Lord will be to you an everlasting light (Isaiah 60:19 ^k). There will be no more sadness or dark times, because God’s presence will always shine. All mourning will end, and joy will last forever (Revelation 21:23 ^l).

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v. 21: Everyone in the church will be righteous. Your people also shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever . God’s people will be holy and pure, made so by his own power. Their happiness will never end, and God will be honored by what he has made.

v. 22: The church will grow beyond all expectations. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation (Isaiah 60:22 ^m). Even if God’s people seem few or weak at first, he will make them great in his perfect timing. God promises, I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time. We can trust God to keep his promises and to do things at just the right moment.