Isaiah 60:10-12 – The City of God
God interrupts things here, just for a moment, to stop looking at peoples from different directions, to look at what they are going to — the city of God. What we’re talking about is not a literal city, but it is a picture of the church of Jesus Christ of all ages, all the elect of God. Christ is now in the midst of His church, and He is building His city round about. We are part of that new Jerusalem, although we are now covered with tarps, we are now behind scaffolding. The true beauty of it is not yet seen. But a time is coming when it shall be seen.
There was a partial fulfillment of verse 10 when King Cyrus freed the people from Babylon, sending them home with his royal protection and riches, so that the people could and would rebuild the Temple. But Isaiah was privileged to see that a far greater fulfillment is intended. The nations would come, and they have come, though not to the degree which they shall someday. They shall gladly devote all their energies and wealth for the privilege of building up the Church of Jesus Christ. They build the walls of the city of God. They build the walls of her who is the bride of Christ. They build it with numbers of people, huge numbers yet to be, who will come to Jesus Christ. They will be made, of course, into living stones and they build up the new Temple in power and glory as they bring all things under Him, as they are enabled and empowered by Him. Smiting will have happened to them in a moment of wrath. But God in favour, God in mercy brings life to them.
In this city the gates are never shut as we see in verse 11. Of what is this a picture? Some commentators say it is a picture of peace. The city is safe and secure. But there’s more than that. It is open all the time so that all can come in. It’s constantly open so that from it the gospel may go forth to the east, the south, the west, and the north. This is a picture of not just a few straggling in, but of many by God’s grace coming in joyfully to the triumph, to the exaltation of our God.
What of those who will not come? We see them mentioned in verse 12. All these shall be ruined if they do not turn. Outside there is darkness, outside there is destruction. Come into the city of God!
Question
- What is this city of God like?
Prayer Points
- Pray that many people would be brought into the city of God.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.