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Glorious Zion!................................................................................... Ch 60,61
Made Glorious Through the Light of Jehovah’s Presence................60:1-3
Isaiah again looks into the future. Zion is told to arise and shine for two reasons:
a. Your light has come—represents salvation in this context and an obvious
reference to the Christ, the great light who brought salvation (9:2; Mal 4:2; Lk1:78-80 ; Jn 1:4; 8:12-20, 46; Eph 5:8,14).
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.
Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
“You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.
“But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.
“Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true.
“I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”
So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”
These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.
“Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me?
for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
. The glory of the Lord is risen upon you—another obvious reference to Christ
(Jn 1:14; 2 Cor 4:4; Heb 1:3).
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
When this occurs, the world will be filled with darkness (sin) but the Lord’s glory will
be seen in Zion (the church - Rom 16:27; Eph 3:21).
Gentiles will be attracted to Zion by this great light (2:3; 11:10; 49:22; 54:3;
Eph 2:11-22).
Made Glorious Through the Return of Her Children..........................60:4-9
This is a reference to the conversion of the Gentiles. They will come in great numbers
(49:22,23). At this time Zion’s heart will overflow with joy and excitement because
of the conversion of such a large number of Gentiles (Acts 11:18; 15:13) and
these converts will turn over much of their worldly goods to Zion (the church).
People from distant nations will offer their best to the Lord and praise Him. They will
offer acceptable worship to God and God will glorify His house—the church (Hag
2:7,9; Heb 12:26ff).
“Drawn to Zion because she has been glorified and beautified by Jehovah’s presence,
light, and name, multitudes of foreigners from throughout the world come
bringing their all; everything they have is dedicated to Him” (Hailey).
MADE GLORIOUS THROUGH OFFERINGS .................................................60:10-14
10-12. The attitude of those coming to Zion.
Foreigners will help in the building of this Zion.
a. The language is Messianic (cf. Amos 9:11,12; Acts 15:14-17). For inclusion
of the Gentiles in the building of the church, see Eph 2:11-22.
b. The gates of Zion will be open continually.
c. Anyone can enter the church any time, as long as they meet the Lord’s conditions.
d. Whoever refuses to serve this Zion (the church) will perish (Mt 21:44) and
perish eternally!
Gates shall be open continually—this clearly demonstrates that this is not talking
about conditions after the return from captivity.
13,14. The attitude toward worship shown by those coming to Zion.
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The most beautiful and glorious objects will be devoted to God’s service (35:2;
41:19).
a. God will make His dwelling place, the church, glorious.
b. The descendants of those who had persecuted the Zion will come humbly
before her, acknowledging her as God’s dwelling place.
MADE GLORIOUS THROUGH HER ETERNAL EXCELLENCY .........................60:15-18
God will change Zion from being forsaken and despised (in captivity) into something
to be exalted and rejoiced in forever (the church).
She is pictured as a nursing child, receiving the best of nutrients (49:23; 66:11,12).
Zion will know that God is her Savior, Redeemer and the Mighty One!
This will be a time of unprecedented changes for the better through the remarkable
power of the glorious gospel, also peace and righteousness will rule over this Zion.
This Zion will be characterized by peace, not violence; construction, not destruction.
a. It will be ruled by the Prince of Peace,
b. His reign will be that of peace (2:4; 11:6ff; Acts 10:36; Eph 2:14,15,17) and
c. His church will consist of citizens who seek and pursue peace (Mt 5:7,9,21-
26,38-42; Rom 12:18-21; 14:19; Heb 12:14).
Zion’s walls will be Salvation and her gates Praise (26:1).
MADE GLORIOUS THROUGH JEHOVAH’S EVERLASTING LIGHT...................60:19-22
Salvation and Praise in the light that this Zion depends upon is the everlasting light
that Jesus and His gospel brought into the world, not the physical light provided by
the sun and moon.
Little one—the less privileged and those who appear insignificant.
Small one—the poor, weak or young.
THE HERALD OF GOOD TIDINGS..................................................................61:1-3
The Servant speaks in these verses. They are applied to Jesus by Luke (4:16-21).
Note the Servant’s qualifications:
a. The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me—Peter tells us that God anointed Jesus
with the Holy Spirit and power (Acts 10:38). Cf. 11:2; 42:1; Mt 3:16; Jn 1:32;
3:34.
b. The Lord has anointed Me, set Him apart for a special office (cf. Psa 45:7;
Acts 4:27; 10:38; Heb 1:9).
Also note the functions for which God anointed Him:
a. Preach good tidings to the poor (afflicted). Jesus brought the gospel to the
afflicted and poor (Mt 5:3-12; 11:5).
b. Heal the broken hearted. Jesus healed and comforted those who are distressed
and mourning—probably because of their sins (Mt 5:4; 11:28-30).
c. Proclaim liberty to the captives. Jesus made it possible for men to be
released from the bondage of sin (cf. 42:7).
d. Proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord—to let all know that this was the
right time in God’s eyes. Jesus did this in the “fullness of time” (Gal 4:4).
e. The day and vengeance of our God—victory of God over His enemies in the
perfect life, death, resurrection and ascension of His Servant Son (Mk 3:27;
Jn 12:31-33; Eph 4:8; Col 2:15; Heb 2:14ff; 1 Jn 3:8).
f. To comfort all who mourn (25:8; 49:13; 57:18; Mt 5:4; 11:28-30).
g. To give them beauty for ashes.
h. To give them...oil of joy for mourning.
i. To give them...garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Heaviness—“the word describes a condition burdensome enough to cause
one’s death” (Vine).
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THE MISSION AND BLESSING OF THE REDEEMED .........................................61:4-9
The thought in this section is that Jews and Gentiles work together to build the new
Zion (the church).
Old destroyed areas will be restored (49:8; 54:3; 58:12).
Foreigners will serve Zion (14:2; 60:9,10).
All the citizens of Zion will be priests (1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
Verse 6 is a remarkable prophecy, resulting in a change from the Levitical system.
The Gentiles will contribute of their best to Zion (19:16-25; 60:5-11).
Their shame and confusion (in captivity—sin) will be replaced with twice as much
honor (35:10; 40:2; 60:15; Jn 15:11; 16:22; 17:13; Rom 14:17; 1 Jn 1:4).
God loves justice and hates injustice.
a. This requires that He punish His enemies and deliver His people.
b. Therefore, He will reward His people in truth (faithfully) and make an everlasting
covenant with them (55:3; 59:21).
c. The descendants of God’s people will be distinct and others will recognize
that the Lord has blessed them (44:3; 54:3; Acts 2:47; 4:13; Rom 16:19; 2
Cor 3:2; Phil 2:15,16; 1 Thess 1:8; 1 Pet 2:12).
d. Whether Jehovah gives joy or judgment, He does it because He is just.
ZION’S BURST OF PRAISE ...................................................................... 61:10,11
Those who are in the Lord (Zion, the church) rejoice because of God’s salvation and
righteousness (25:9; 49:18; 52:1; Lk 1:46ff, 68ff).
a. In making this salvation possible, God will cause righteousness and praise to
abound throughout all the world (14:8; 42:19; 43:9; 44:4).
b. This will burst forth like a tender, young plant. God’s word will accomplish its
purpose! (55:10,11).
Ch 62—Salvation is Drawing Near
4. SALVATION IS DRAWING NEAR..................................................................... CH 62
THE NEW NAME AND GLORY OF ZION..........................................................62:1-5
1-3). For Zion’s sake, God will not rest until righteousness and salvation proceed out of
her like a brightly shining light.
a. When righteousness and salvation go forth brightly, the Gentiles will see the
righteousness and glory of Zion and
b. Zion will be called by a new name which God will give.
c. The following is fulfillment of this prophecy:
1) Peter was sent to Cornelius, a Gentile (Acts 10:1ff).
2) He went to tell Cornelius what was commanded of him by God (Acts
10:33).
3) He told Cornelius what he had to do to be saved and receive remission of
sins (Acts 10:43; 11:14).
4) God indicated His approval of the Gentiles through the pouring out of His
Holy Spirit on Cornelius, just as He had done on the apostles (Acts 10: 44,
45; 11:15,17).
5) Thus, the Gentiles saw God’s righteousness, salvation and glory just as
He had prophesied.
6) Just after this, a congregation was established in the Gentile city of Antioch,
where the disciples were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26), the
new name given by God!
d. Crown of glory....royal diadem—“the two descriptions mark the combination
of royal authority and priesthood....men of renown have sought to exercise
this double function, so as to have authority over both the religious and the
civil life of those under them. The whole history is one of dismal failure and
catastrophe” (Vine).
I will not hold My peace—Jehovah will not remain quiet or refrain from speaking.
I will not rest—He will not be inactive.
Then, Zion would not be called Forsaken and Desolate as they were during captivity
(54:4ff). Instead, she will be called:
a. Hephzibah—“My delight is in her.” God will delight in His new creation,
spiritual Zion, the church and
b. Beulah—married (54:4,5). The forsaken one is now reunited to her husband,
God. And, God will rejoice over Zion as a bridegroom does over his bride; a
most special and tender love.
1) Notice the picture of God as the husband and Zion (the church) as His
bride (Eph 5:21ff; Rev 19:6-8; 21:2; 22:17).
2) “As a young man marries a virgin and dedicates himself to protecting and
caring for her honor, so the sons of Zion dedicate themselves to the honor
of Jehovah’s land and people—His kingdom” (Hailey).
JEHOVAH’S PROTECTION AND PROVISION FOR ZION.....................................62:6-9
6,7. God says that He has placed faithful watchmen upon the walls (52:8; 56:10).
a. They are exhorted to continue steadfastly in prayer until God causes Jerusalem
to be praised.
b. These watchmen are not angels, Old Testament prophets or priests.
c. They are the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers under the
New Testament.
8,9. Successful achievement on God’s part.
God gives a solemn oath that Zion will no longer be plundered by foreigners. Instead,
she will have security and will praise God for it.
SALVATION OF THE DAUGHTER OF ZION ..................................................62:10-12
“Zion’s citizens go forth removing obstacles, making clear the way, and lifting high
the banner so that those of the nations (Gentiles) can find their way to Zion and
press through the gates into the city” (Hailey).
“All that presents a stumbling block, all that hinders our enjoyment of free and constant
access to the Throne of Grace, everything that stands in the way of our communion
with God is to be removed. Often there is much rubbish to be cleared out,
such as worldly associations and fleshly desires” (Vine).
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God makes a universal proclamation—Zion’s salvation is coming and He has His
reward with Him.
a. Language very similar to 40:10, which is Messianic.
b. Similar language is used about Jesus (Mt 21:5; Jn 12:15; Rev 22:12).
When this happens Zion’s citizens will be known as:
a. The Holy People—set apart and dedicated to God (Ex 19:6; Heb 12:14; 1 Pet
1:15,16; 2 Pet 3:11).
b. The Redeemed of the Lord—bought back by paying the ransom price (1 Cor
6:19,20; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18,19).
c. Sought out—not only have they sought out the city (the church), but Jehovah
has sought them out through His Son.
d. A City Not Forsaken—constantly under Jehovah’s care and providence.
“But should the citizens of Zion lose sight of this sacred relationship, become a religious
‛social club’ concerned primarily with political affairs and business enterprises,
they will cease to be The Holy People, separate and different from the world. They
will become simply another religious body” (Hailey).