The Day of the Lord

And what do I see flying like clouds to Israel, like doves to their nests? They are ships from the ends of the earth, from lands that trust in me, led by the great ships of Tarshish. They are bringing the people of Israel home from far away, carrying their silver and gold. They will honor the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has filled you with splendor. “Foreigners will come to rebuild your towns, and their kings will serve you. For though I have destroyed you in my anger, I will now have mercy on you through my grace. Your gates will stay open day and night to receive the wealth of many lands. The kings of the world will be led as captives in a victory procession. Isaiah 60:8-11 NLT

From the text, Isaiah continues to describe the climactic day when the Lord will establish physically His Kingdom fulfilling His promise. This was further developed by the question raised in v. 8, “And what do I see flying like clouds to Israel, like doves to their nests?” The phrase “the great ships of Tarshish” signifies a gathering of scattered peoples now coming to join others from different parts of the world. Peoples who used to be at war with one another but because of their relationship with God, they are now coming together to celebrate and worship the One who reconciled one to another. “In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel...You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us” (Ephesians 2:12-14). There will be no more walls or gates that define boundaries but an open city that “will stay open day and night.” The Apostle John was given the same vision at the end of time, “The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city” (Revelation 21:24-26). When the reign of Christ comes, everything will be better! Isaiah’s invitation calls us to not lose the wonder of the anticipation when the Day of the Lord comes for “God is able to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Blessings,