by Robin MacKinley
Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you. Isaiah 60:1
On the world front, Jerusalem gets quite a bit of attention. But it hasn’t been much of a bright spot in the world. Isaiah prophesied that will change in the end times.
When we look back to the end of chapter 59, the prophet declared the return of Jesus to Jerusalem. He will come to defeat the antichrist and end the 7-year tribulation.
The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says the Lord. Isaiah 59:20
Isaiah also indicated that God would fulfill the covenant He made with the forefathers of the nation of Israel.
And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken! Isaiah 59:21
The Israelites will no longer see the Lord only as the God of the mosaic law. Instead, they will recognize Jesus as their Redeemer.
So Isaiah told Jerusalem to let its light shine for all to see. That light would shine so the inhabitants of Israel living in countries around the world could see His light.
Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you. Isaiah 60:2
The Light Of Jerusalem
Spiritually speaking, Jerusalem will be the only bright spot in the world. It will draw the sons and daughters of Abraham to the City of God.
Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Isaiah 60:4
This nation, which has continually rejected Jesus for over 2000 years will flock to the light of the King. And many others will come as well.
All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance. Isaiah 60:3
Read all of Isaiah 60 to see what the world will look like during the reign of Christ. And how people of the earth will act.
The Church is Called to Shine Its Light for All to See
Why did Isaiah say that “darkness as black as night covers all the nations?” Because the church won’t be here to shine the light of Christ in this dark world.
The Apostle Paul said, the church “will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
We know that Jesus is the Light of the world. It’s His light that draws people to Himself. In Matthew 5, however, Jesus also said “You are the light of the world.”
So, everyone who knows Christ as their Savior is a light for the Lord. In other words, through Him, we must shine His light into a world darkened by sin.
The question must be asked, are you letting your light shine bright? Or are you hiding it so others can’t see it? Jesus continued His thought in Matthew 5 with the following;
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16
Your good deeds must go beyond doing things that make you look and feel good. Jesus said when you let your light shine for all to see, your heavenly Father will receive praise.
About the Author:
Robin, with his wife Cindy, became children’s evangelists early in their ministry. They ministered to children full time for 8 years. During that time they developed several children’s stories which were told with visuals and puppets.
Robin recently turned two of those stories into children’s books. One is called “The Contest,” a book about the Fruit of the Spirit, and the other is called “Twas the Night of Christmas”. He has also authored 5 volumes of devotional books called, 3 Minutes Alone with God. Each entry is a product of his personal biblical Journaling.
These and his other writings are available on his website called Christian Perspectives at www.ramckinley.com. When you visit this site, you can sign-up for newly written devotions as they come out which will be emailed to you.
Presently Robin is the pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Pottstown, PA. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He and his wife make their home in Birdsboro, Pa. He also serves as the president of the local ministerium. He and Cindy have two married sons and four grandchildren.