Arise, shine ... Nations will come to your light...

Isaiah 60:1-5 (NASB) from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

60 “Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
² “For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
³ “Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.

⁴ “Lift up your eyes round about and see;
They all gather together, they come to you.
Your sons will come from afar,
And your daughters will be carried in the arms.
⁵ “Then you will see and be radiant,
And your heart will thrill and rejoice;

Just a few days ago I received an email expounding on this passage. I felt that the timing was more than a coincidence. I was encouraged by what was shared by Francis Frangipane and believe you will be also.

Arise, Shine!
(En Español)

"It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 2:14).

The Word of God states plainly -- no, it commands those at the end of the age to be fearless in the face of darkness! Speaking through the prophet Isaiah, the Spirit of the Lord orders His people:

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness will cover the earth,
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the Lord will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
                                      ---Isaiah 60:1-3

Traditionally, because the second half of Isaiah 60 contains references to the millennium, some have placed the fulfillment of this entire chapter in the age to come. But let me ask: Will "darkness . . . cover the earth" in the millennium? During the glorious reign of Christ when death, sin, and sorrow are banished, will "deep darkness" still rest on "the peoples"? The fact is, while Isaiah's prophecy does indeed conclude in the millennium, it begins during the last hours of this age.

Clearly these first three verses of Isaiah 60 are a pre-Rapture, pre-millennial command from God. The Lord calls us not just to endure the darkness but to arise in His manifest glory! People argue about the timing of the Rapture, but what I am presenting here does not disturb any popular eschatology. I'm saying between now and whatever scenario you believe, there will be a time of increasing glory for true Christ followers.

Some of us feel defeated; others are worn out and weakened by the increasing gloom in the world. Yet it is here, where depression would otherwise capture our souls, that we are commanded to rise. To throw off oppression is not just an act of faith; it is an act of obedience. It is time to cancel our plans to be miserable! Through the blood of Christ, we break our covenant with death and darkness; we obey the voice of our destiny!

One may argue, "But you do not know my difficulties." Listen to how the Amplified Bible renders the Lord's command: "Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you -- rise to a new life]!" Right at this moment, even as you read these words, new life from the presence of God is descending into your spirit. Receive it! Accept it! Obey it!

You see, God's plan is that here on Earth, in us, the glory of the Lord will be revealed. The luminous, radiant light of His presence, as it shone from Moses' face and flooded Solomon's temple at its dedication, as it radiated from Jesus and bathed His disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration -- that light of God's presence shall arise from within us at the end of the age! This same divine glory shall, in ever-increasing degrees of brightness, appear upon us in the years prior to the Lord's actual Second Coming.

In truth, this great work of grace has already begun. We are part of the Holy Spirit's expansive preparation. God is gathering together His people. We are learning to humble ourselves in repentance and prayer; we are finding friendship and unity with other Christians. Indeed, our reconciliation across denominational and ethnic barriers has an immeasurable reward attached to it. As valleys are "lifted up, and every mountain and hill . . . made low . . . then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together" (Isa. 40:4-5).

God is qualifying us to receive His splendor! Nations shall come to His light and kings to the brightness of His rising!

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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Days of His Presence, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, precious Holy Spirit in these days as the world does continue to become darker help me first of all to see Your glory and Your light. Help me to dwell and abide in You and in Your presence so that I see all things through the light of Your glory. Then because I see Your light, empower me to be Your light, that I might fulfill Jesus words: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. To You be all the glory.   Amen