Isaiah 60

Light of the World

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1–3

When the world is dark, the Lord rises over His people like the sun, and His light on them draws the nations. Christ is that light, and those who receive it are to arise and shine.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Malachi 4:2 — The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.
• the same title in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'

Birth of Christ

The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. Isaiah 60:6

Nations from the east bring gold and incense to praise the Lord. Christians have long seen an echo of this in the wise men bringing gold and frankincense to the child Jesus.

• alluded to by Matthew 2:11 — The wise men offer gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Holy One of Israel

Holy One of Israel — the perfectly holy God who belongs to His covenant people

Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Isaiah 60:9

Gathered Israel returns with its riches to the name of the Lord and the Holy One of Israel, the Christ who glorified His people.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Isaiah 55:5 — 'for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.'

Holy One of Israel

The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. Isaiah 60:13–14

Zion will be named for the Holy One of Israel, and His temple will be the glorious 'place of my feet.' The risen Christ promised the faithful that their enemies would bow before them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alluded to by Revelation 3:9 — Christ: 'I will make them to come and worship before thy feet.'

Savior

Saviour — Hebrew moshia, from the same root as Yeshua (Jesus), 'Jehovah saves'

Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. Isaiah 60:16

Jehovah declares Himself Israel's Saviour. The name Jesus comes from the same Hebrew root, so this verse identifies the LORD with the one who would be named Jesus.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in 1 Nephi 22:12 — 'The Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.'
• the same title in Isaiah 49:26 — 'I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.'

Redeemer

Redeemer — Hebrew go'el, the kinsman who buys back a family member from bondage

Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. Isaiah 60:16

The same LORD who saves also redeems, buying His people back from bondage. Christ paid that price through His Atonement.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Isaiah 49:26 — The identical triple title.

Mighty One of Jacob

Mighty One of Jacob — Hebrew Abir Ya'akov, the strong protector Jacob relied on

Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. Isaiah 60:16

This is the title Jacob used when blessing Joseph, 'the mighty God of Jacob,' who is also the Shepherd and the Stone of Israel. Christ is the strong one who protects Jacob's children.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Genesis 49:24 — 'The mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel).'
• the same title in Isaiah 49:26 — The same title.

Light of the World

The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Isaiah 60:19–20

In the perfected Zion the Lord Himself replaces the sun and moon as its light, and mourning ends. John saw the holy city lit by the glory of God, with the Lamb as its light.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Revelation 21:23 — The city needs no sun or moon: 'the Lamb is the light thereof.'
• alluded to by Revelation 22:5 — No night there; the Lord God gives them light.

Jehovah

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. Isaiah 60:22

The Lord promises to grow His small people into a strong nation and to speed His work when the time is right. In the latter days Christ repeated the promise to hasten His work.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alluded to by D&C 88:73 — 'Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.'