Scripture: Isaiah 60

I. When Jesus comes, His people will be the light to the world.

A. There is much in Isaiah 60 that looks like it could refer to the events surrounding Christmas. Verse 3 looks like a reference to the star the wisemen followed into Bethlehem to see Jesus. Verse 6 describes some of the gifts the wisemen brought to Jesus. And vs. 9 speaks of people from other nations coming to worship Jesus. Who is Jesus? John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

B. The good news is that you are now the light of the world. Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Jesus has given His light to us. We reflect the glory of Jesus to people around us in a dark world. Our hearts are swollen with joy because of Jesus living in us (vs. 5). We need to shine the light of Jesus to those around us. Do good deeds to others to bring glory to God by showing God’s power and beauty in a dark world.

II. When Jesus comes, His people will receive treasure from former enemies.

A. Look at the surprising thing foreigners are doing in Jerusalem in vs. 10: “Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you.” There will be so many luxury goods flowing into Jerusalem that the gatekeepers will have no time to shut the gates (vs. 11). Even kings from foreign countries will come, and they will come not as conquered foes. They will come willingly to Jerusalem because they have been drawn there by Jerusalem’s great God.

B. Revelation 21:23-26 describes the New Jerusalem in heaven: “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.” This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 60.

III. When Jesus comes, His people will all be righteous.

A. The promises and prophecy of Isaiah 60:17-22 have not been fulfilled yet. But they will be fulfilled after Jesus returns to earth. Heaven and the new Jerusalem will come after Jesus returns. In heaven we will be slaves to righteousness (vs. 17). Our righteousness then will match God’s own righteous character. Of course, Jesus, God’s Son, is also righteous. At the cross, Jesus gave us His righteousness in exchange for our sin. What does that mean for us in heaven? In the new Jerusalem, all of us will be what our Messiah is. We will all be righteous (vs. 21).

Application:
Let the thought of the beautiful and brilliant light of heaven keep you going today.

Sources:
The book of Isaiah
Commentaries by J.A. Motyer, Tim Chester, Bob Fyall, David Jackman and Derek Thomas.

Sermon Discussion Questions

1) What does God promise is coming for His people in Isaiah 60:1-3? What does the content of this prophecy teach us about the nature of darkness and light?

2) What prophecies in Isaiah 60 were fulfilled at Jesus’ first coming to earth at Christmas? What prophecies in Isaiah 60 will need to wait for Jesus’ second coming to be fulfilled?

3) What changes will God bring to the persecutors of His people (vs. 12 -14)? What do you learn about heaven from vs. 17-22?