WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 1.                   Some form of the word glory is found 9 times in 7 of the verses of this chapter. See verses 1, 2, 7, 9, 13, 19, 21. Look up the words glory and glorify in a dictionary. Now, carefully read the way they are used in the verses in this chapter. What statements can you make about the glory of God after this study? 2.                   In verses 1-2, the LORD is compared to a light that arises over a dark earth. The word arise is used 3 times in these verses. The picture is that of the Sun rising in the morning. This compares to Malachi 4:2 where, “unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” The Sun of righteousness is certainly Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus testified, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Jesus Christ is evidently compared to the Sun. Consider this comparison. In what ways is Jesus like the Sun? Try to come up with several comparisons. Isaiah 60 describes the kingdom age, also known as the millennium or thousand-year reign of Christ. Several of the descriptions of the city of Jerusalem match the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21-22. One example of this is found in Isaiah 60:11 – “Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night.” This is echoed in Revelation 21:25. Why are city gates shut in the first place. Joshua 2:5 and Nehemiah 13:19 might give you some ideas. Now, since the gates of the New Jerusalem are to remain open, what does this symbolize? What has changed in the world so that the gates can be left open day and night?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME? 1.                   In verse 5, the heart of Israel “shall fear, and be enlarged.” Since abundant blessings are the result of this, the fear must refer to the fear of the Lord. What then is the meaning of the enlargement of the heart? See also 1Kings 4:29; Psalm 119:32; 2Corinthians 6:11-13. How would you define the enlargement of the heart? What does it mean to us spiritually when God enlarges our heart? One of the blessings of the kingdom age is found in verse 18: “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders.” The first Bible references to violence are found in Genesis 6:11-13. What is violence a result of in society? What expressions of violence are seen around us? How should we respond to this culture of violence? Are there any ways that you allow violence to effect you? What should you do about it?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES:  Isaiah 60:1, 2, 19, 20     TEXT: Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.  2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.  4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.  5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.  6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.  7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.  8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?  9 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.  10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.  11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.  12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.  13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.  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.  15 Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.  16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.  17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.  18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.  19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.  20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.  21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.  22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.

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