THE GLORY OF JERUSALEM

ISAIAH 60

 “Arise and shine” is God’s wake up call to Jerusalem and the Jewish people who enter the glory of the Millennial Kingdom.  The light of the Shechinah Glory is like the rising of the sun  once more radiating its light from the Holy City.  God’s light had once dwelt in the Tabernacle only to depart because of Israel’s sin.  This light then came to the Temple but departed when the nation turned to idols.  The prayer of the ages will one day be answered which is, “Thy Kingdom come.”

Restored Israel will bring blessing to the whole earth as prophesized by Malachi, “But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings.” (Malachi 4:)  All the nations of the earth will come to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship during the Millennial reign of the Messiah of Israel, our Lord Jesus Christ, as seen in Isaiah 60:3.  One of the results of Israel’s restoration to divine favor will be an increase in commerce with all her neighbors.

One of the most significant points of the prophecy is the reconciliation of the Arabs of the Middle East and Israel.  The mention of the Midianite Tribe, Ephah and Sheba reveal that the Prince of Peace will bring true and meaningful peace to the Arab and Jews of the future.  Notice carefully that they will worship one God together during this 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth.  As we consider this worship, verse 7 makes it clear that the third Temple will be built in Jerusalem and be the place of worship.  In his book, The Temple by Joshua Berman, on page 204, the issue of the third Temple is dealt with as to the timing of being rebuilt.

In Isaiah 60:10-22, Israel’s restoration and return to her home land will be an act of God’s favor in which the whole nation of Israel will turn back to God in a national repentance.  The result will be the gates of Jerusalem will be continuously open, never shut, revealing all nations of the world crowding into the city of Jerusalem.  No nation or government which opposes God will have a future and will be punished; truly, “The meek shall inherit the earth.”  The result of repentance and being restored to God’s favor will see Jerusalem being called “The city of the Lord.”  Peace and righteousness will be the law of the land, and no more violence will be heard in the land.  This is a beautiful vision of the New Jerusalem, free from violence, which is the cry of the people who today are praying for peace.  The whole atmosphere is seen in Isaiah 60:18 as walls of salvation and gates of praise which are the very foundation of a restored Jerusalem. 

The capitol city of the restored Jewish nation will see the presence of God in the glory of the Shechinah, which will outshine the sun and moon.  In Revelation the Apostle John wrote, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Rev. 21:23)  The good thing is there will be no more sorrow or mourning in the city of God.  The reason is that the people shall be righteous in the sight of God and as such shall inherit the earth.  The good thing is that the Jewish Remnant will increase and fill the land.  An interesting insight is that the regenerated Israel will reproduce herself spiritually by her wonderful power to attract the nations of the earth to worship the God of Israel, our Wonderful Lord Jesus Christ.