Isaiah 60:20

This is overwhelming evidence, if any more were needed, that the church on earth or in heaven is not pictured here, but the ancient people of God blessed according to His promise and prophecy. The rule here is righteousness measured by an earthly standard. It is also a day not for a chosen witness, but one in which "your people shall all be righteous," and this in prosperous power — not in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, being made like Him in His death.

In that day, "the sun shall be no more" Israel's light by day; "nor for brightness shall the moon give" light to God's earthly people, for they shall no more need to rely on the supreme and derived authorities of earth, "but the Lord will be" their "everlasting light," and their God their glory (Isa. 60:19). As their everlasting light, the Lord will be their source of light forever. He will bring them the knowledge of God and direct them in His ways.

The next verse has a remarkable change. It is no longer "The sun," but "Your sun," not the supreme authorities of earth, but "the Sun of righteousness" that has arisen for them "with healing in His wings" (Mal. 4:2). Their Messiah has returned to bring to them all the promised blessing, and this Sun "shall no more go down": they will have His light, direction and brightness forever… and this will never again be withdrawn because of their unfaithfulness. Their place of prominence among the nations, and their divine blessing, will not rest on the old covenant they could not keep. It rests on the new covenant in the blood of Jesus.

"And His face shone like the sun" (Matt. 17), which the reader may compare with the statement in the vision granted to John, "His face was like the sun shining in full strength" (Rev. 1:16). These are cited as the sure proof that it is Christ Himself who is the Sun of righteousness. We have seen the same in Isaiah: "The Lord will be your everlasting light." This is a great thing for our souls, because it fixes our eyes upon the coming glory of the One who, as our Redeemer and Lord, has already made His home in our hearts.

While scattered among the nations they mourn their lot, but it is God's righteous judgment on them. Back in the land they mourn again, when they discover that the One they rejected and crucified is none other than their Messiah. But when the days of mourning are over, they will bask in the light of the Sun of righteousness. They will live in the everlasting light of their God, seen in Messiah their King.

The light of the earthly city will be derived from that which shines down through the holy Jerusalem (Isa. 60:19-20)… for the heavenly city will be above and over the earthly one.

That day, however, has not yet come. A higher and greater work of God is going on in the earth: He is calling out the assembly by the preaching of Christ… Meanwhile, the earthly city is still desolate. She has not yet returned to her Royal Owner, or to her royal splendour.