Isaiah Chapter 60

Isaiah 60, The Glorious Light of God’s Kingdom

A. The Glory of Israel in the Kingdom of God

1. Isaiah 60:1-3, The Glorious Light of God’s Kingdom

Isaiah 60:1-3, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, darkness shall cover earth, and gross darkness people: but LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to brightness thy rising.”

Isaiah 60 opens with a dramatic change of tone from the darkness described in Isaiah 59. In Isaiah 59, the people confessed, “we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.” They groped like blind men and stumbled at noonday as though it were night. Now the LORD speaks to Zion and says, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come.” The darkness of sin, judgment, exile, and national humiliation will not have the final word. God’s Redeemer will come, and the glory of the LORD will rise upon His people.

The command “Arise” implies that Zion had been down, humbled, afflicted, and in a posture of mourning. Darkness is for lying down, for grief, confusion, sleep, and defeat. Light is for rising. God does not merely give light so His people can observe it from a distance. He gives light so they may respond. The command is not only “Arise,” but also “shine.” The people who receive God’s light are then called to reflect it.

This is an important spiritual principle. No man can shine until he has first received light from God. Human effort cannot generate divine glory. The believer does not create light, he reflects the light of God. Yet once God gives light, there is something wrong if His people remain silent, passive, and hidden. Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are light world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light candle, and put it under bushel, but on candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The source of this light is made clear, “and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” This is not merely political restoration, economic prosperity, or national morale. The glory belongs to the LORD. The light comes from His manifest presence. This is the same kind of glory that appeared in Israel’s history when God revealed Himself in the tabernacle and temple. Exodus 40:34-35, “Then cloud covered tent congregation, and glory LORD filled tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into tent congregation, because cloud abode thereon, and glory LORD filled tabernacle.”

The glory of God is also revealed in Christ. At the transfiguration, the disciples saw a preview of kingdom glory. Matthew 17:1-2, “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as sun, and his raiment was white as light.” Isaiah 60 anticipates the day when the glory of the LORD will not only be seen in a private preview by three disciples, but will be manifested openly in connection with Zion and the reign of the Messiah.

Isaiah then says, “For, behold, darkness shall cover earth, and gross darkness people.” The coming glory is set against the backdrop of worldwide darkness. The nations are not naturally enlightened. Apart from the LORD, the world lies in spiritual darkness. This includes moral confusion, idolatry, rebellion, false religion, and ignorance of God. The deeper the darkness, the more glorious the rising of the LORD upon Zion.

This also shows that the hope of the world is not found in human progress, political theory, religious pluralism, or cultural enlightenment. The nations need the glory of the LORD. They need the light that comes from God’s redemptive rule. Man cannot educate himself out of spiritual darkness. He must be rescued by divine light.

The promise continues, “but LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” The contrast is sharp. Darkness covers the earth, but the LORD arises upon Zion. Gross darkness covers the peoples, but God’s glory is seen upon Israel. This is why the nations respond, “And Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to brightness thy rising.”

The Gentiles do not replace Israel in this prophecy. They come to Israel’s light. The kings do not become Zion in some spiritualized sense. They come to the brightness of Zion’s rising. This chapter does not support replacement theology. It distinguishes between Israel and the Gentiles while showing the nations being blessed through the glory God places upon Zion. That fits the Abrahamic promise. Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families earth be blessed.”

This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ, when Israel is restored, Messiah reigns from Jerusalem, and the nations come to the light of the LORD. There are spiritual applications for believers now, because all who belong to Christ are called to walk in the light. Yet the primary subject here is Israel, Zion, Jerusalem, and the future kingdom glory promised by God.

2. Isaiah 60:4-13, Great Treasures Come to Israel in the Kingdom

Isaiah 60:4-13, “Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because abundance sea shall be converted unto thee, forces Gentiles shall come unto thee. multitude camels shall cover thee, dromedaries Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth praises LORD. All flocks Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, rams Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify house my glory. Who are these that fly as cloud, and as doves to their windows? Surely isles shall wait for me, and ships Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto name LORD thy God, and to Holy One Israel, because he hath glorified thee. And sons strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee forces Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. glory Lebanon shall come unto thee, fir tree, pine tree, and box together, to beautify place my sanctuary; and I will make place my feet glorious.”

The LORD now calls Zion to lift her eyes and see the regathering and honor that God will bring. “Lift up thine eyes round about, and see.” Israel had known scattering, exile, humiliation, and foreign domination. But in the Kingdom, the scattered will return. Zion is told to look in every direction because her sons and daughters are coming home.

The promise says, “thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at side.” This is one of the great themes of Isaiah 60, the regathering of Israel. The Jewish people who have been scattered among the nations will be gathered back to the land. The present regathering of Israel in modern history is a remarkable preview, but Isaiah points beyond that to a complete and kingdom regathering under Messiah.

Jeremiah 31:8-10, “Behold, I will bring them from north country, and gather them from coasts earth, and with them blind and lame, woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers waters in straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear word LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as shepherd doth his flock.”

The result of this regathering is joy. “Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged.” Zion will be overwhelmed by the goodness of God. The heart will fear, not in terror of condemnation, but in reverent awe. It will be enlarged with joy because God’s promises have come to pass.

Isaiah then says, “because abundance sea shall be converted unto thee, forces Gentiles shall come unto thee.” The wealth, commerce, strength, and resources of the nations will come to Israel. The Gentiles will bring their riches, not as an act of theft or coercion, but as recognition of the LORD’s glory upon Zion. This recalls the Exodus, when the Egyptians gave wealth to Israel as God brought His people out.

Exodus 12:35-36, “And children Israel did according to word Moses; and they borrowed Egyptians jewels silver, and jewels gold, and raiment: And LORD gave people favour in sight Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled Egyptians.”

In Isaiah 60, this wealth transfer is not merely for Israel’s comfort. It is tied to worship, kingdom order, and the honor of the LORD. The nations bring gold, incense, flocks, rams, silver, and building materials, and they proclaim the praises of the LORD.

The text says, “multitude camels shall cover thee, dromedaries Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth praises LORD.” These nations and regions represent Gentile peoples bringing tribute and worship. The mention of gold and incense also has a notable connection to the visit of the wise men after Christ’s birth. Matthew 2:11, “And when they were come into house, they saw young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” The wise men were a firstfruits picture of Gentile rulers and worshippers coming to the King of the Jews. Isaiah 60 looks to the fuller future reality when nations and kings will honor Messiah’s kingdom.

Isaiah continues, “All flocks Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, rams Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify house my glory.” The flocks and rams brought to the altar show that worship is central in the kingdom order. This connects with the Millennial Temple described in Ezekiel 40 through 47. The sacrifices in that future temple must be understood in light of the finished work of Christ. They cannot be atoning sacrifices in the sense of removing sin, because Christ has accomplished final atonement once for all.

Hebrews 10:10-14, “By which will we are sanctified through offering body Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on right hand God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

Therefore, any sacrifices in the Millennial Temple must be memorial, ceremonial, consecrational, and worshipful, pointing back to the finished work of Christ, much as the Lord’s Supper now looks back to Calvary. They do not compete with Christ’s atonement. They memorialize and honor the Redeemer’s finished work in the kingdom context.

The prophet asks, “Who are these that fly as cloud, and as doves to their windows?” The image is of swift and abundant return. People come rapidly, like clouds moving through the sky and doves returning to their roosts. The coastlands and ships of Tarshish bring Zion’s sons from afar, with silver and gold, “unto name LORD thy God, and to Holy One Israel, because he hath glorified thee.”

This explains why the nations bring wealth. They are not merely enriching Israel for Israel’s sake. They bring their silver and gold to the name of the LORD and to the Holy One of Israel. They recognize that God has glorified Zion. Israel’s restoration becomes a visible testimony to the faithfulness of God.

The LORD says, “And sons strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee.” Foreigners and kings who once oppressed or ignored Israel will now serve in rebuilding and honoring Jerusalem. This is a reversal of history. It is not based on Israel’s superiority in itself, but on God’s favor and covenant mercy.

The reason is stated plainly, “for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.” Israel’s suffering under divine discipline was real. God had smitten them in wrath because of sin. Yet wrath would not be the final word. In favor He would have mercy. God’s covenant faithfulness includes both discipline and restoration.

Deuteronomy 30:3-5, “That then LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all nations, whither LORD thy God hath scattered thee. If any thine be driven out unto outmost parts heaven, from thence will LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: And LORD thy God will bring thee into land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.”

Because the wealth of the nations continually comes, “thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night.” In ancient cities, gates were shut for protection. Open gates indicate security, abundance, and unceasing tribute. Jerusalem will not be threatened in the way she had been before. She will be honored.

The LORD then gives a severe statement, “For nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” During Messiah’s reign, the nations will be obligated to honor the LORD’s appointed order. Service to Zion will not be optional rebellion. This does not mean Israel is worshipped. It means the nations must submit to the kingdom order established by the LORD and centered in the reign of Messiah from Jerusalem.

Zechariah 14:16-17, “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship King, LORD hosts, and to keep feast tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all families earth unto Jerusalem to worship King, LORD hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.”

Isaiah closes this section by saying, “glory Lebanon shall come unto thee, fir tree, pine tree, and box together, to beautify place my sanctuary; and I will make place my feet glorious.” The finest materials will beautify the sanctuary. Lebanon was known for its great trees and building resources. These materials will be brought for the house of God’s glory.

The phrase “place my feet” refers to the earthly place associated with God’s royal presence. 1 Chronicles 28:2, “Then David king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build house rest for ark covenant LORD, and for footstool our God, and had made ready for building.” In the Kingdom, the sanctuary is glorious because the LORD Himself makes it glorious.

B. The Glory of Israel in the Kingdom Contrasted with Their Previous State

1. Isaiah 60:14-18, How the Nations Treated Israel, and How They Will Treat Them in the Kingdom

Isaiah 60:14-18, “The sons also them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at soles thy feet; and they shall call thee, city LORD, Zion Holy One Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee eternal excellency, joy many generations. Thou shalt also suck milk Gentiles, and shalt suck breast kings: and thou shalt know that I LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, mighty One Jacob. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.”

The LORD now contrasts Israel’s former humiliation with her future glory. “The sons also them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee.” Those connected to Israel’s former oppressors will come in humility. The nations that once despised Zion will acknowledge the LORD’s work in her.

The text says, “all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at soles thy feet.” This does not mean Israel becomes an object of worship. Worship belongs to God alone. Rather, it means the nations will acknowledge that God has chosen, restored, and glorified Zion. They will no longer despise Jerusalem as forsaken and worthless. They will call her “city LORD, Zion Holy One Israel.”

This reverses centuries of contempt. Jerusalem has been attacked, divided, hated, politicized, and trampled by Gentile powers. But in the Kingdom, her identity will be publicly recognized. She is the city of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 48:1-2, “Great is LORD, and greatly to be praised in city our God, in mountain his holiness. Beautiful for situation, joy whole earth, is mount Zion, sides north, city great King.”

The LORD says, “Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee eternal excellency, joy many generations.” Israel’s history has included seasons of abandonment, destruction, exile, desolation, and hatred. But God promises eternal excellence and multigenerational joy. What men despised, God will make glorious. What seemed ruined, God will restore.

The next statement, “Thou shalt also suck milk Gentiles, and shalt suck breast kings,” is a picture of provision, nourishment, and support. The nations and their rulers will contribute to Zion’s blessing. Again, this is not because Israel earned this through moral superiority, but because the LORD is displaying His covenant faithfulness.

The purpose is given, “and thou shalt know that I LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, mighty One Jacob.” God does this so Israel will know Him rightly. The restoration of Zion is a revelation of God’s identity. He is Savior, Redeemer, and the Mighty One of Jacob. The title “Mighty One of Jacob” connects the promise to the patriarchal covenant line. God has not forgotten Jacob. He has not forgotten Israel.

The LORD then says, “For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron.” This is the language of upgrade, transformation, and glory. God replaces lesser things with better things. What was useful but common becomes splendid. What was ordinary becomes excellent.

But the greatest transformation is not merely material. God says, “I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.” This is more miraculous than turning bronze into gold. Corrupt leadership will be replaced with peace and righteousness. Government will no longer be marked by oppression, greed, incompetence, or violence. Authority will operate under the righteous rule of Messiah.

Isaiah 9:6-7, “For unto us child is born, unto us son is given: and government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince Peace. Of increase his government and peace there shall be no end, upon throne David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. zeal LORD hosts will perform this.”

The result is stated clearly, “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders.” This is a total reversal from Isaiah 59, where violence was in their hands, their feet ran to evil, and wasting and destruction were in their paths. In Isaiah 60, violence is silenced. Destruction is removed. The land is marked by salvation and praise.

The LORD says, “but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.” Walls represent security. Gates represent access and public life. In the Kingdom, Israel’s security will be salvation, and her public life will be praise. What a transformation. The place once known for siege, bloodshed, destruction, and mourning will be known for salvation and worship.

There is a present application for the believer and the Christian home, though the ultimate fulfillment belongs to the Kingdom. A home under the lordship of Christ should increasingly reflect this kind of transformation. Violence should no longer be heard in the home. Wasting and destruction should be removed. The walls should be salvation, and the gates should be praise. A father, husband, pastor, or leader should labor under God to make his sphere of responsibility a place where truth, peace, order, and worship are established.

2. Isaiah 60:19-22, How the LORD Will Treat Israel in the Kingdom

Isaiah 60:19-22, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall moon give light unto thee: but LORD shall be unto thee everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and days thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit land for ever, branch my planting, work my hands, that I may be glorified. little one shall become thousand, and small one strong nation: I LORD will hasten it in his time.”

The chapter closes with one of Isaiah’s most glorious kingdom promises. “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall moon give light unto thee: but LORD shall be unto thee everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” This does not necessarily require the removal of the physical sun and moon in the Millennial Kingdom context, but it means their light will no longer be the defining glory of Zion. The LORD Himself will be Israel’s everlasting light.

This anticipates the final state described in Revelation. Revelation 21:23, “And city had no need sun, neither moon, to shine in it: for glory God did lighten it, and Lamb is light thereof.” Isaiah 60 has immediate focus on Zion’s kingdom glory, while Revelation 21 describes the New Jerusalem in the eternal state. The connection is clear, God Himself is the ultimate light of His people.

The LORD also says, “and thy God thy glory.” This is as important as the promise of light. Israel’s glory will not be military strength, wealth, architecture, temple beauty, national prominence, or Gentile tribute. God Himself will be her glory. This is the proper order of all worship. The blessing must never become greater than the Blesser. The gift must never replace the Giver.

Jeremiah 9:23-24, “Thus saith LORD, Let not wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let mighty man glory in his might, let not rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in earth: for in these things I delight, saith LORD.”

The promise continues, “Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and days thy mourning shall be ended.” Israel’s long history of mourning will come to an end. The mourning of exile, persecution, destruction, dispersion, rejection, war, and national sorrow will finally be finished under the reign of Messiah.

Psalm 30:5, “For his anger endureth but moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for night, but joy cometh in morning.”

For Israel, Isaiah’s promise would have been especially precious because Isaiah prophesied under the shadow of coming judgment and exile. The nation would face devastation, but God promised that mourning would not be permanent. He would bring everlasting light.

The LORD then says, “Thy people also shall be all righteous.” This is not the present condition of national Israel, nor has it yet been fulfilled in history. It points to the future work of God when Israel is spiritually restored. This agrees with New Covenant promises.

Jeremiah 31:33-34, “But this shall be covenant that I will make with house Israel; After those days, saith LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know LORD: for they shall all know me, from least them unto greatest them, saith LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Ezekiel 36:26-28, “A new heart also will I give you, and new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away stony heart out your flesh, and I will give you heart flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

Isaiah says, “they shall inherit land for ever.” This is a direct land promise. The text does not say that the church replaces Israel and inherits a spiritualized land. It says the people addressed will inherit the land forever. This is consistent with the Abrahamic covenant.

Genesis 17:7-8, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for everlasting covenant, to be God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, land wherein thou art stranger, all land Canaan, for everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

This is why a literal, grammatical, historical reading matters. God’s promises to Israel mean what they say. The church is blessed through Christ and shares in spiritual blessings of the New Covenant, but the specific national and land promises to Israel are not erased.

The LORD calls them “branch my planting, work my hands, that I may be glorified.” Israel’s final righteousness and inheritance will be God’s work, not Israel’s achievement. The people are His planting. They are the work of His hands. The purpose is His glory.

This protects the doctrine of grace. God’s future restoration of Israel will not be because Israel earned it by national virtue. It will be because God is faithful to His covenant, merciful in redemption, and zealous for His own glory.

Romans 11:28-29, “As concerning gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching election, they are beloved for fathers sakes. For gifts and calling God are without repentance.”

Isaiah then says, “little one shall become thousand, and small one strong nation.” God will multiply what is small. He will strengthen what is weak. The nation that was reduced, scattered, and hated will become strong under God’s hand. This reflects the pattern of God throughout Scripture. He brings greatness from small beginnings so the glory belongs to Him.

The final statement is, “I LORD will hasten it in his time.” This is a perfect balance of divine certainty and divine timing. God will hasten it, but He will do so “in his time.” He does not act too early or too late. When the appointed time comes, He will move swiftly. Until then, His people must trust His timing.

This promise may seem too great for human expectation. Israel restored, the nations bringing tribute, Jerusalem filled with glory, violence ended, the LORD as everlasting light, the people all righteous, the land inherited forever. Yet the promise rests on the character of God. The mouth of the LORD has spoken, and the LORD Himself will hasten it in its time.

Theological Summary of Isaiah 60

Isaiah 60 presents the glorious future of Israel in the Kingdom of God. After the darkness and sin described in Isaiah 59, Zion is commanded to arise and shine because her light has come. The glory of the LORD will rise upon her, and the Gentiles and kings of the earth will come to the brightness of her rising.

This chapter must be read with Israel as Israel. The Gentiles are distinguished from Zion, and the nations come to Israel’s light. The prophecy looks forward to the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ, when Israel is regathered, Jerusalem is exalted, the nations bring wealth and worship, and Messiah’s righteous rule is established on earth.

The chapter also shows the reversal of Israel’s previous humiliation. Those who afflicted and despised her will acknowledge her as the city of the LORD. What was forsaken and hated will become an eternal excellence and the joy of many generations. Violence will be removed, and her walls will be called Salvation and her gates Praise.

The highest blessing is not merely national restoration, wealth, or honor among the nations. The highest blessing is that the LORD Himself will be Israel’s everlasting light and glory. Her mourning will end, her people will be righteous, and they will inherit the land forever. This will be the work of God’s hands, so that He may be glorified.