An ode of congratulation to Zion on her restoration at the L-rd's second advent to her true position as the mother Messianic church from which the Gospel is to be diffused to the whole Gentile world; the first spread of the Gospel among the Gentiles, beginning at Jerusalem [Lk.. 24:47], is an serious of this. The language is too glorious to apply to anything that as yet has happened in Isaiah’s time, imperative for the future indicative.
The fact that G-d speaks of the Gentiles here in opposition to the subjects of the prophecy shows He speaks to Israel as Israel. Replacement theology just doesn't work here, or anywhere.
[Isa.60:1] Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
The glory of the L-rd is not merely the Shekinah, or cloud of glory, such as rested above the ark in the old dispensation, but the glory of the Messiah in person (Jer. 3:16, 17). Israel’s spiritual light will be impart to the Gentiles, for at this time they will all become true believers in the Messiah and step into their calling of teaching ‘all’ nations. Isa 2:2-3 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of G-d’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of G-d, to the house of the G-d of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of G-d from Jerusalem.
Zec. 8:23 Thus saith G-d of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that G-d is with you.
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to Israel: Not only will they receive the treasure for their people, but also the literal treasure of the Gentiles shall come to Israel as willing captives to the truth; or, if not willingly, be bought by judgments to submit to Israel (verses 12, 14). The nations will willingly give them their wealth, much as the Egyptians willingly gave the Israelites riches when they left Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36). So much will be given that they will need to keep the gates of the city open continually!
The gates are ever open to receive new offerings and converts (26:2; Acts 14:27; Rev. 3:8). In time of peace the gates of a city are open: so, under the Prince of peace, there shall be no need of barring gates against invaders. Gentiles brought forth as willing captives to the truth,
[14] The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
All rulers in restored Jerusalem shall not only be peaceable and righteous, but shall be, as it were, "peace" and "righteousness" itself in their administration.
Poetically, with figurative allusion to the furniture of the Temple; all things in that happy age to come shall be changed for the better. Were the sun and moon, the brightest objects by day and night, shall be eclipsed by the surpassing glory of G-d manifesting Himself to you (30:26; Zec 2:5; Rev. 21:23; 22:5). No more mourning:
Rev. 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.
Not our timing; we might wish to hasten it, but it will come in due time, and sooner than you think!
The promise seems too good to be true, and we are conditioned to think that if it seems too good to be true, it is. But G-d is too good not to be true!
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