“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” In Isaiah 60:1-3 God issues a statement that should bring a message of immediate hope and comfort to the people of Israel, as well as giving prophetic insight into the future, as these verses will be fulfilled in several stages; the first would be their restoration from Babylonian captivity, after which we understand many Gentiles became proselytes to Judaism. But of even greater importance, which affects even us today, is when they become consummated in the Messianic and Eschatological ages. Israel would experience a measure of God’s glory following their return from captivity. However the real glory would come with the coming of Messiah into and through their lineage that would impact all Nations! In Luke 2:29-32 Simeon’s words of praise at Jesus presentation at the temple in Jerusalem, possibly with this Scripture, along with others in mind, end with this prophetic proclamation over Him, “A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” Indeed He is “the true light which gives light to every man…” John 1:9, but carnal men “loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” John 3:19, nevertheless He declared “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” John 8:12. Oh how glorious and great to know that “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” Colossians 1:13. His kingdom today is spiritual, implanted within us, “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” Luke 17:21, enabling us to “shine as lights in the world” Philippines 2:15. Then I see the final stage of this prophecy being fulfilled in His future kingdom on earth and the new heavens and earth when He comes back again; Isaiah 60:19-20 says “For the Lord will be your everlasting light”, cf. Revelation 21:23.
Arise and shine
By Rose Hill
If Jesus has delivered you from your sin,
And this light of life is dwelling within,
Then you are part of His kingdom divine,
And He makes you able to arise and shine.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.