A vacation often means not setting the alarm; it’s your chance to sleep in for a change! But if you’re vacationing along a beach on the east coast, you may wish to rise extra early. As the sun rises over the ocean, we are attracted by the fabulous beauty, coming to the shore with our cameras for a better view. At the start of Isaiah 60, the sun is rising in Israel. After a prolonged period of “thick darkness,” all nations are flowing to Zion in order to welcome the light. Men and women have been in darkness because they have not known the one Creator, the only Savior. But with the dawning of God’s light in Jesus Christ, His people have become lamps, shining the glory of God into a lost world. New converts, like spiritual children, are now flooding into the church, celebrating the glorious arrival of God’s kingdom on earth (v 1-4). These grateful believers are coming by various means, from camels to ships, bringing with them all sorts of wealth, including “gold and frankincense.” Magi from the east will come to Jerusalem by the light of a star to present their gifts to the Christ child. And as the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy, kings of the earth will bring their glory and honor into the new Jerusalem, walking in the light of the Lamb who died for the sins of the world. Gentiles and Jews will join together in worship, as God’s forever family, made “beautiful” for the glory of His name (v 5-9). While the whole world will be swept up into a new enthusiasm for building up the city of God as the most desirable place on earth (v 10-11), all who refuse this glory will face judgment: “For the nation and kingdom that will not serve You shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.” As D.A. Carson notes, “The text offers no hope that the final Zion embraces all without exception; rather, it embraces all without distinction, provided they embrace ‘the Holy One of Israel’ and ‘the City of the LORD’” (v 12-14). The church, never again persecuted and despised, will be made “majestic forever, a joy from age to age.” Like a mother cares for her baby, leaders of nations will cherish the people of God, to whom they now belong. God’s kingdom will be filled with peace and righteousness, and all its inhabitants shall be preoccupied with praise for His salvation (v 15-18). What makes heaven wonderful is the presence of God Himself. We will see the light of His glory shining forever with dazzling brilliance. No longer sinful and sad, we “shall all be righteous.” And this reality is not far off! “I am the LORD; in its time I will hasten it” (v 19-22). Even so, come, Lord Jesus! For further meditation: