This chapter provides a beautiful picture of Jerusalem in the future kingdom age. The glory of the Lord will shine upon it and the Gentiles will come unto it. Jerusalem will be a place of prosperity and praise. It will be blessed with the glory of God and will be a joy of many generations.

What Does It Say?

1. Of the flocks and rams brought to the temple, God says, “they shall come up with _______________ on my altar, and I will ___________ the house of my glory.
2. The sons of ___________ shall build up the walls and their __________ shall minister unto Israel.
3. Jerusalem will be called: The __________ of the Lord; The ________ of the Holy One of Israel.
4. God will make their officers __________ and their exactors _____________.
5. The time will come when Israel’s people shall be all ___________ and they shall ____________ the land forever.

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 4:2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
   See All... 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 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
   See All...). 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.
3. 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 60:11Therefore 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.
   See All... – “Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night.” This is echoed in Revelation 21:25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
   See All.... Why are city gates shut in the first place. Joshua 2:5And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
   See All... and Nehemiah 13:19And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
   See All... 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 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
   See All...; Psalm 119:32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
   See All...; 2Corinthians 6:11-13 [11] O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. [12] Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. [13] Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
   See All.... How would you define the enlargement of the heart? What does it mean to us spiritually when God enlarges our heart?
2. 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 [11] The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. [12] And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. [13] And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
   See All.... 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 60:1Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
See All..., 2, 19, 20