A Caravan Leader Walks Toward a Glowing JerusalemBible World
60:1Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Arise and shine is God's call to Zion, His church and people who know the truth, because their light has come and His glory has risen upon them. To arise is to wake from spiritual sleep, lethargy and delay and take up the appointed work with decisive action. The light given is Christ the Sun of Righteousness and the knowledge of salvation in Bible truth, and the glory is the Lord's presence and power resting on His people as the Holy Spirit to enable them to shine. This shining is set against a world covered with spiritual and moral darkness, which God's light through His people dispels and draws hearts to Him. As that glory is seen upon them, Gentiles and kings are drawn to its brightness from afar, so fulfilling the call means carrying salvation and the final warning into every land until the whole earth is lightened.
People Called to Arise
The call is addressed to Zion, to the church, to God's children and God's people who know the truth, commanding them to arise and shine because their light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them and rests upon them. It is a call to take up the appointed work, to make the truth known by carrying it into new places and taking part in reaching people, so that the way is prepared for His everlasting kingdom. The light is the knowledge of God and His saving message, and as His people do this work His glory is seen upon them amid spiritual darkness covering the earth, drawing Gentiles and bringing people from distant lands into the community of faith. The command requires personal piety and practical godliness in public work, with the Spirit of Christ resting on those who walk humbly with God so that good works shine before others and lead them to glorify God, and it shows that God expects more than is now being rendered.
To arise means to awake from spiritual sleep, slumber, idleness, inaction, cold formality and lethargy, to make room in the heart for the Spirit of God to work, and to take up the appointed work without delay with decisive action. Church members must devote their powers to saving souls perishing in sin and out of Christ, firmly establishing the truth in cities and villages and proclaiming it in the highways and byways, with men and women everywhere going forth to prepare the way for His coming. They must stand together against Satan's deceptions and deceptive theories, carry the light of their work into new territories because the end is near and a great work remains, and reach people where they are, including through publications carrying present truth so the world may be enlightened. Obeying the call brings awakening and decided change, with converted men and women so filled with the Spirit that they go from country to country and city to city proclaiming the message with earnest love for souls, opening their Bibles and presenting the Word, so that wherever they go a people is raised up to stand in the day of the Lord.
The call is present truth for this time and for the last generation, urgent because time is short, the end is near, and great peril, confusion and uncertainty are upon the world. It commands the church to awake from the lethargy Satan has brought upon it and to fulfill its heaven-appointed work of enlightening the world by cooperating with God in shedding abroad the light of Bible truth at the time when darkness and gross darkness cover the earth and the people. Fulfilling it means looking to Jesus for help and guidance, seeking to understand and proclaim the message for this time that shows God's people their transgression and sin, so that Gentiles and kings come to the light and brightness, and when the spirit of the third angel's message takes hold upon hearts this arising and shining will produce a work that God can approve. It is joined to Christ's loving rebuke to Laodicea as a word of hope for lukewarm churches, calling every one to heed it now by being zealous to repent, confessing sins and seeking the Lord before evil gains sole ruling power in the life.
Those who heed it reach a high standard that gives increase of faith and confidence and cheerful assurance, with those bearing responsibilities meeting together for seasons of seeking the Lord, rejoicing in answered prayer, talking faith and walking and living by faith as duty and privilege, and praying without ceasing for a free anointing for the great and sacred work. It gives inspiration and encouragement to enter new fields and carry the gospel into new territory, with all God's people uniting in the work and relying not on themselves but on the Lord's power and grace. God in compassion delays His judgments upon an impenitent world so His light-bearers have time to seek and save the lost, and to those who faithfully do their part He gives assurance that His presence and glory will be seen upon them and will draw others to the light. This binds Christians living in great centers of commerce and travel, believers in cities, and messengers of the Most High to take their position in the great thoroughfares of travel, in large cities, in world-renowned health resorts and centers of tourist traffic, where they can meet people from all parts of the world.
There they are to labor quietly and in humility, carrying the atmosphere of heaven, keeping self out of sight and pointing always to Christ, with mighty intercession, the love of Christ filling the heart, the Spirit of Christ poured out, readiness to stand in the judgment, and consecration bringing convincing power, not sleeping on Satan's enchanted ground but using all resources and every providential facility. The truth is not to be hidden but made known, sowing the gospel seed, rescuing truth from companionship with error and presenting it in original simplicity so men can comprehend it, with stationed ministers and canvassers holding meetings, watching and seizing opportunities to speak, accompanied by the Holy Spirit. The third angel's message as a worldwide message to all cities and villages in the highways and byways is that light, presented with clearness and power as Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, so that those who know it not accept it and carry it to homes in all parts of the earth, proclaiming the last warning before many peoples and nations and tongues and kings with the promise of Christ's presence to the end of the world, until the church is made an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations, its people all righteous inheriting the land forever as the branch of God's planting, the work of His hands, that He may be glorified.
The call applies personally and locally, to ministers and to each person who has received the light, including believers in Southern California and in Graysville and in Melbourne and Sydney, and to the discouraged and weak. To a minister it means a changed life and witness that can help others find the right way, and to the one who has received the light it means rising to shine as a light-bearer and reformer through whom the Lord's glory is revealed to souls needing comfort and encouragement. To believers in Southern California it means taking seriously Christ's teaching that they are the light of the world, letting their light shine as Christ's light in the world, and seeking renewed spiritual strength by humbling themselves before God, confessing mistakes and sins, and waiting upon the Lord. To those in Graysville it means that many men and women should now be working as mouthpieces of God, declaring the truth in its simplicity and giving this last message of warning to the world, because a great work remains to be done that they are to do, and cherishing and following the light brings a rich experience in which the light increases rather than leaving the person walking in darkness. To a bereaved man it calls him to rise from consuming grief and shine because God's light has come and the Lord's glory is upon him, giving reason and strength to turn from mourning and continue living in God's presence.
Light and Glory Given
The light that has come and the glory that has risen are God's own gift and promise to His people, not resting on human assertions, and they bring blessed assurance that calls for enlarged faith and expectation of fulfillment. The church receives this light and glory from God to do His work both at home and in distant regions, and amid the darkness covering the earth the Lord rises upon His people so that His glory is seen upon them and draws the nations to them. That promise is to be borne in mind and looked for as God's people faithfully carry His light to others.
The light is the knowledge of God and His saving message, the sacred truth opened in Scripture, Bible truth and present truth, including the law, the prophecies, and the last warning message to be carried through publications and proclaimed to the world. Those who diligently search the Scriptures receive the Holy Spirit to present that truth in language so simple that old and young, learned and unlearned can understand, because Christ's words are spirit and life. It means giving a true line of education in all points, letting the trumpet give a certain sound in proclaiming the gospel message for this time, building up and restoring by diversity of instrumentalities and talent as truth takes hold of heart and character to beautify, elevate and ennoble individuality. It means bearing sharp, strong messages, carrying the third angel's message and uplifting the banner of truth, for conversion is in it because the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. It is a call to move forward in the light of truth toward clearer understanding of Scripture with God's help, the Holy Spirit bringing truth to remembrance and heaven's light shining on those who seek it, and for those who recognize God's law as binding to declare its claims as unchanged and make them known.
The light is Christ Himself, the Sun of Righteousness, whose heavenly light shines in the heart, bringing praise to God and words of faith, courage and hope, stirring those who receive it to walk reverently with uplifted faces. That light from Jesus illuminates the converted soul, dispels darkness and guides the way, and each converted person is entrusted with a measure of it to let shine through good works, teaching and example so others may know the truth and glorify God, and as it is given out it increases and grows brighter. The light is seen in Christ's beauty and glory, and those who behold Him become radiant in His presence and are sent to serve others, like the disciples coming down from the mount of transfiguration to carry faith and prayer to those enslaved by Satan and seek their freedom through self-sacrificing love that lives, labors and sacrifices for salvation. The church shines only by reflecting the light received from Christ, and those who behold His love are changed in thought, heart and character and go out as lights reflecting that love. Christ is the Light and Lifegiver who gives light to every person, with the Spirit of truth given to each for benefit and God's wisdom guiding every true, humble, devoted worker, and His followers shine for God's glory by looking to Him as the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
The glory risen is God's presence, power, purposes and blessings resting upon His people when they draw nigh to Him, are humbled and rebuked for sin, reform and have His love revived in their hearts. It is given as the Holy Spirit, a sacred endowment and divine communication enabling them to shine, granted to those who humble their hearts, submit to His guidance, seek His counsel and surrender the will, as Paul and Barnabas did, so that the same presence goes with all who labor together with God as the secret of power. Much prayer, humbling of heart and constant surrender bring the help pledged by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and angels work for those who yield to the Spirit's leading. That glory is desired to be revealed in the churches through the Holy Spirit, and its power comes as workers rightly ask for it, since no change in God's order will effect the needed religious change without receiving this gift. The work can be done only through the Spirit under Christ's guidance by those who yield themselves to God, put away division and idle talk, speak and act righteously and work earnestly now without neglecting spiritual instruction and responsibility, and God gives such Spirit-led workers His righteousness, grace, truth, persuasive power and love for missionary work at home and abroad so their labor bears fruit in gathering people to Christ. The light is thus connected with receiving the golden oil in rich blessings, enabling workers who earnestly seek the Spirit to shine as they preach and practice the truth and join Christ's work of saving the world.
The Lord rises upon His people and His glory is seen upon them and reflected through them to the world as they take up their appointed work, for God comes down and works with them in it. Though darkness covers the earth and its people, the Spirit of Christ rests on those who walk humbly with God, calling for personal piety and practical godliness in public work so that good works shine before others and lead them to glorify God. His people have been called out of darkness and made a chosen people, and their shining witness makes God's light visible, drawing the nations and their rulers to it. The church shines as the Holy Spirit is imparted and believers live for Christ rather than themselves, with the light and glory seen in lives shaped by sacred truth, humility, meekness, self-denial and devotion to Christ.
Looking to Jesus brings that light into darkness and gives joy and faith amid suffering, with hope dispelling spiritual darkness and encouraging faith and joy in Christ even amid apparent unanswered prayer. The light is experienced by looking to Jesus and breathing the atmosphere of faith, bringing happiness and assurance in Christ even amid suffering and pain. When Zion arises and shines her light is most penetrating, and songs of praise and thanksgiving are heard in the assembly of the saints while little disappointments and difficulties are lost sight of. That shining belongs to those with deeper appreciation of God's mercy and loving-kindness, who praise Him instead of complaining, speak of the loving watchcare of the Lord and the tender compassion of the good Shepherd, study God's Word, meditate and pray, gain spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple and catch the notes of thanksgiving sung by the heavenly choir around the throne. As Zion shines her witness reaches the churches that love God and keep His commandments, praise fills the assemblies, and murmuring over small troubles ceases.
Darkness Around Light
The verse stands against its own setting where darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people, a world sunk in spiritual and moral darkness. It calls Zion, the church, and churches and people who know the truth to arise and shine because their light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them. That divine glory is displayed through them and seen upon them even amid the covering darkness, for the Lord Himself rises upon His people. When spiritual darkness covers the world and deepens in the last days, God's word brings light into the darkness and commands His people to make His glory visible. Amid that darkness the light and glory come from God to enable His people to shine in their appointed work, and the surrounding context shows this light draws the nations to them. This calling prepares the way for His everlasting kingdom and shines so that Gentiles and kings are drawn to its light. The church fulfills its mission by letting its light grow strong enough to dispel the moral darkness of the age, since mere profession is not enough without genuine piety, Christian zeal, self-denial and self-sacrifice. In the setting of Christ's victory over Satan and the opening of a way for hope and mercy to reach the ends of the earth, the Lord's glory rises upon His people as light that dispels the darkness of heathen superstition and draws the Gentiles to God. The command was given in the old dispensation to get up and give light to the world, but it binds today with still greater force because the light is now brighter and shines with clearer and steadier rays. The obligation to give light is as much greater as the light is more clear and definite, requiring a brighter testimony gathered from the divine rays left by patriarchs, prophets and apostles. Meeting it means continuing to seek truth as hidden treasure, making Christ known, letting the light God has given shine in clear and steady rays, and standing like a lighthouse on a dangerous coast to warn souls so they do not wreck their faith. In contrast to merely believing about Christ without believing in Him, the bright testimony of the patriarchs and prophets and the glory of the prophecies give light to the path, and with the accumulated light of past centuries God's followers are to bear an especially bright testimony of loyalty. When darkness is deepest the light of a noble, Godlike character shines brightest, and in the coming crisis those who fear God and trust Him will be revealed. The light in Christ shining amid moral darkness revealed the contrast between sin and holiness and between purity and defilement, exposing false claims to piety. That righteous exposure of sin was unwelcome to those who rejected it. God's people are called to carry His light into a world in spiritual darkness by keeping moving forward in the light God gives and holding His perfect and high standard before others by teaching and example. If they refuse that light it becomes darkness to them and they are lost in the darkness around them, left in darkness instead of enabled to shine, while God's standard stands against Satan's false standard which brings misery, degradation, disease and death to body and soul. God sends abundant light and glory to His people and the world for the church to receive and share, yet by rejecting the light the church becomes spiritually complacent, and a church given great light that fails to walk in it and to put on its beautiful garments and arise and shine has its vision clouded with darkness until it regards light as darkness and darkness as light.
Nations Drawn to Light
While the glory of the Lord is seen upon Zion, Gentiles and kings are drawn to its light and its brightness, coming from distant lands and from afar into the community of faith. The light is the knowledge of God and His saving message, and His glory rests upon His people as they do their appointed work of carrying that salvation to the world. This shining stands out amid darkness covering the earth and gross darkness covering the people, making God's light visible through the witness of a people called out of darkness to be chosen. The call is therefore to wake up and let the light shine, since the light and glory come from God Himself to enable His people to shine. The wise men who followed the star to Christ and worshiped Him with gifts were the first fruits of the Gentile world and a fulfillment of this drawing of Gentiles and kings, and their offerings show the fitting response to the light of Christ.
This shining prepares the way for His everlasting kingdom and belongs to a promise of worldwide ingathering with righteousness and praise springing forth among all nations. It carries His salvation and pardon throughout the world as those who work with Christ in establishing His kingdom carry the light of truth in their hearts. They are to walk humbly with God, form characters fit for eternal life, and glorify the Lord, uniting in the work and relying not on themselves but on the Lord's power and grace. God gathers His people from afar and the abundance of the nations is turned to them, giving inspiration and encouragement for entering new fields and carrying the gospel into new territory.
It was God's purpose for Israel to be the depositaries of His law and the preservers of the knowledge of Himself among men, entrusted with a sacred trust after being called out and separated from the world. Through them His light and knowledge were to reach all peoples and prepare the way for the world to know Him, with the light of heaven shining out to the dark places of the earth in a call to all peoples to turn from idolatry to serve the living and true God. They were to reveal God's character and restore His moral image in humanity, becoming a praise and a glory through the spiritual advantages God gave them. Had the Hebrews been true to their trust they would have been a power in the world, defended and exalted by God above all other nations, with His light and truth revealed through them as an example of the superiority of His wise and holy rule over every form of idolatry.
The verse is a glorious promise to be borne in mind, requiring enlarged faith and expectation to look for its fulfillment. Though darkness covers the earth and its people, the Lord rises upon His people and His glory is seen upon them, and that hope is connected with God's people faithfully carrying His light to others.
Worldwide Witness and Service
To arise and shine is to make known what has been received by carrying it into new places and new territory, into foreign fields and neglected fields and every land, until the whole earth is lightened with the Lord's glory, with the work reaching near and far and not confined to the churches, and with church members taught by example and instruction to enlighten, encourage and save the perishing. The light received is to shine outward as it is carried to others, and receiving it brings responsibility to work and share it rather than remain indifferent.
That going outward includes the neglected cities of America and nearby cities still in spiritual darkness, especially unwarned places such as New York, where people of many languages need the truth. Those whose light is come and upon whom the glory of the Lord is risen are under Christ's commission to add new territory to the Lord's kingdom, to plant the standard of truth in new places, to wake to the peril threatening men and women in the cities, to arouse the churches, and to enter as volunteers into the whitening harvest field with the last message of mercy to a guilty world. They are to take their stand in great centers of commerce and travel and in world-renowned health resorts and centers of tourist traffic, in the great thoroughfares where people from all parts of the world can be met, with stationed ministers and canvassers holding meetings, watching and seizing opportunities to speak. There they labor quietly and humbly, carrying the atmosphere of heaven, keeping self out of sight and pointing always to Christ, not hiding the truth but making it known, giving the true light, sowing the gospel seed, rescuing truth from companionship with error and presenting it in original simplicity so it can be understood, with the message Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand presented with clearness and power so that those who know it not accept it and carry it to homes in all parts of the earth.
This worldwide message to all cities and villages, in the highways and byways and before many peoples and nations and tongues and kings, is accompanied by the Holy Spirit and by the promise of Christ's presence to the end of the world, and it calls for mighty intercession, for hearts filled with the love of Christ, for the Spirit of Christ poured out, for consecration that brings convincing power, for readiness to stand in the judgment, for refusing to sleep, and for using all resources and every providential facility with practical help and gifts to support the expansion into new places. The light is carried through publications and canvassers, through sending publications containing present truth to all places, through organizing canvassing campaigns with literature so the world is enlightened about what is just before it, and through wider circulation of large books and message-filled books. It is the truth committed to the church to share with the world in the last warning message, requiring waking from spiritual sleep, making God's work a priority over worldly interests, refusing idleness and discouragement, proclaiming the gospel to all the world, and reaching people where they are. Every line of work is to be carried forward so as to recommend the truth to hearers, with a clearer showing in daily life of being the light of the world, with no selfish act in commercial or spiritual work and no thread of dishonesty drawn into the pattern.
Shining means holding aloft the third angel's message while darkness and gross darkness cover the earth and the people, looking to Jesus for help and guidance, seeking to understand and proclaim the message for this time, showing transgression and sin, declaring the claims of God's law as unchanged and binding, and proclaiming the final warning and the second coming. The call is urgent because great peril is near, Satan is stirring the powers of earth, and the world is in confusion, and it rests on ministers and lay members alike, on all who have received Christ and recognize the law. When the spirit of that message takes hold of hearts it produces a work God can approve, and as the message swells into the loud cry its proclamation is attended by great power and glory, with the faces of God's people shining with heaven's light.
The same shining is shown by serving people in despair, bringing hope to the hopeless, relieving hardship and the miseries of life, and helping the needy and suffering nearby and within their own borders, done through God's grace and strength and by a present, all-powerful God of everlasting strength in time of need. Every surrendered soul is to give self to be worked through, not only to preach but to minister, unsealing sealed fountains of earnest Christlike work and laboring as never before. This includes taking hold of medical missionary work and taking a living interest in it, studying and following the instruction of the Bible and of Christ, sharing the light given about health reform, and giving care shaped by knowledge of human needs that safeguards souls from coming evils, with practiced health reform bringing spiritual and physical blessing and revealing God's wisdom made perfect in human weakness. The world is full of victims of physical and spiritual disease perishing for lack of knowledge of truths committed to the church, those enlightened are to be light-bearers, and to hide the light now is a terrible mistake born of failure to awake to responsibility.
Believers shine by reflecting that light amid moral darkness, letting their lives show the truth in practice and make the way to God bright rather than obscure. The Lord's glory is to be seen upon those who walk humbly with God, with the Spirit of Christ resting upon them, calling for personal piety and practical godliness in public work so that good works shine before others and lead them to glorify God. The church shines as the Holy Spirit is imparted and believers live for Christ rather than themselves, in lives shaped by sacred truth, humility, meekness, self-denial and devotion, keeping the simple truth exemplified by Christ and sharing what has been received to win souls rather than to exalt self. Power to withstand the darkness of the last days comes from God, and the light is shown by exalting Jesus, honoring the Word, living holy lives, humbling self before God and seeking Him meekly until He gives richly of His Spirit and His mercy and love appear through them. Those who belong to God, redeemed by blood, reveal Christ in home and church and world, bear fruit to His glory, work with Him to enlighten the world, and look to Jesus so as to represent His character and show they have been with Him and learned from Him, with courtesy and tenderness and self-sacrificing love.
The verse stands together with Isaiah 58 and Isaiah 61:1-4 as instruction for loyal commandment-keeping people to labor together with God and repair the breach. Its work and experience appear when special help is given to those convicted and converted by the truth and to worthy poor families who love God, keep His commandments, lose employment and suffer for the Sabbath, thereby revealing to a sinful world that God has not left His people to perish.
Prophecy Through the Ages
The verse defines the work of Christ, who came to set right what unrighteous leaders had distorted and to bring light and righteousness and salvation to God's people. It predicts His coming as a distinguished Teacher whose words carry invincible power and authority, with the light come and the glory risen being His own light and His own rising, drawing Gentiles and even kings beyond Israel into saving light. The wise men who followed the star to Christ and worshiped Him with gifts were the first fruits of the Gentile world in fulfillment of that drawing of Gentiles and kings to the light, and their offerings show the fitting response to the light of Christ. By His death on the cross the power of hell was overcome and the way was opened for the message of hope and mercy to be carried to the ends of the earth, so that the heathen are no longer to be wrapped in midnight superstition and the gloom of Satan's unchallenged reign disappears before the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and whoever will may take hold of God's hand and make peace with Him.
The light of the prophecies points forward to Christ, with their types meeting fulfillment in His death and resurrection, and the glory of that revelation is to shine through His followers today. That same light of God's truth later shone from Wittenberg through Luther's teaching, praised as light that had appeared and would reach distant countries.
At Christ's second coming, while the world is plunged in darkness, His faithful followers receive the first light of His appearing, and the unsullied light of His splendor shines in their homes and dwellings. They are admired for having served Him and they rejoice in His presence and in the undimmed brightness of the King rather than fleeing when He comes in power and glory with the Father's glory and the holy angels, while the wicked flee from Him. Their readiness for heaven comes from having lived in close communion with God and reflecting the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ, so that the light of God's glory in Christ has already been reflected in their lives as they go out to meet the Bridegroom with joy as redemption draws near.
This rising belongs both to the opening proclamation of Christ's mission and to the final work that closes the world's history, when the Sun of Righteousness arises and shines gloriously upon God's people with nations and kings drawn to that brightness. As the third angel's message swells into a loud cry, its proclamation will be attended by great power and glory, and the faces of God's people will shine with heaven's light. Though the faithful may suffer persecution and prejudice and temporary grief, they will ultimately shine and be clothed in honor when the Lord's glory is revealed.
Conditions for Shining
To give light the soul must first receive light through conversion, through faith in Christ's righteousness, through personal knowledge of Christ, and through close communion that reflects the knowledge of His glory. That receiving comes from Jesus as the Sun of Righteousness, whose light dispels darkness and guides the way, and from the Holy Spirit given to guide, empower and be obeyed in reliance on God's strength. Ministers especially can give light and lift up the risen Saviour only after thus receiving, for the work depends on Christ's power and not their own.
Rising does not come from learning, position, numbers, greatness of talents or human will, but from God being with His workers day by day to teach perfect obedience. It is found by humbling the heart before God, confessing mistakes and sins, surrendering the will to His guidance, seeking His counsel, waiting upon the Lord for renewed strength, and laboring together with Him in prayer. To those who so humble themselves, seek meekly and yield to the Spirit's leading, the Holy Spirit is given as sacred endowment and secret of power, with the pledged help of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and angels working for them, and the willing and obedient gain victory after victory by contemplating Christ, grasping His hand and holding fast for His blessing.
Shining requires unity and love, with all differences swept away and all members working unitedly under Christ as the great Head. It means walking together in companionship, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, refusing tradition, presumptuous fallacies and controversy, and spending strength to save souls as laborers together with God. Such love and unity help carry the truth and the last warning message to nominal churches and the world and make God's glory visible to draw the nations.
Each converted person is entrusted with a measure of light and with abilities, resources, talents, means and influence to be understood, consecrated and put to work in diligent, fervent, consecrated service, especially by bringing the gospel and the Word into Sabbath meetings and lifting the standard higher as channels of light through the Holy Spirit. As that entrusted light is given out in good works, teaching and example for the salvation of others and the glory of God, it increases and shines more brightly. Those who fail so to use what is entrusted are like the unprofitable servant who hid his talent.
Living in the light means putting away darkness, murmuring, complaining, despondency and unbelief, and opening the heart heavenward with uplifted face. In its place are praise and thanksgiving, words of faith, courage and hope, and speech of God's love, goodness, watchcare and works, with songs given by Christ in the assembly of the saints. So little disappointments and difficulties are lost sight of, while study of the Word, meditation and prayer give spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple, catch the notes of the heavenly choir around the throne, and see Christ as Advocate presenting the incense of His merits with deeper sense of God's love and character.
The verse promises the Holy Spirit to those who diligently search the Scriptures and move forward seeking clearer understanding, bringing truth to remembrance and shining heaven's light upon seekers. That Spirit enables presentation of truth in language so simple that old and young, learned and unlearned can understand, because Christ's words are spirit and life. The same arising calls for a true line of education in all points, a certain gospel sound through the ministry of the Word, missionary restoration by diversity of instrumentalities and talents, and sharp, strong messages including the third angel's message and the uplifted banner of truth, since the perfect law converts the soul and truth takes hold to beautify, elevate and ennoble individuality like varied branches of the true vine. Here the sacred light for all nations is the word of God to be carried out by teachers.
Arising and shining means returning to first love and doing the first works, which are willing self-denying labor for souls after Christ's example rather than mere outward service of attending, singing and worship forms. It is regaining the love for souls felt at first conversion, when blessings received could not be kept silent, loving sinners with God's love, doing on earth the work Christ did, and warning multitudes left unwarned instead of growing cold, divided and waning in love with eyes taken from Jesus. It means beholding Christ's beauty and glory until radiant in His presence, then like those coming down from transfiguration carrying faith and prayer to those enslaved by Satan for their freedom, entering into Christ's joy to save the perishing, consecrating talents of means and influence, placing truth before those who do not know it, putting means into circulation for soul-saving until the converted convert others and lay up treasure in heaven, filled with a power of the Holy Spirit that Satan and his angels cannot resist, and willingly sharing in Christ's self-denial and sacrifice for the sake of Him who died to redeem the world.
For those who know the truth this means immediate, decided arousing from a nearly dead, standstill condition to action for time and eternity, for light has come and power through the Holy Spirit has been received for entrusted responsibilities. It requires renovation without delay: leaving behind past management, tone, order, wrong and confused principles, narrow control by a few minds and wrong decisions, cutting out every thread of selfishness, placing the work on a proper, sacred basis, bringing in other capable men of faith controlled by the Holy Spirit to share counsel and responsibility, broadening and enlarging into new and barren fields, moving heavenward round by round up the ladder into the everlasting kingdom, and lifting the work a hundred percent higher. In America this includes restitution to the Southern field, the most unpromising portion of the vineyard, both of money withheld and of sympathy, encouragement, prayers and means due to every worker there whom God has accepted with success beyond expectation, while unreasonable prejudice has closed the field and many duties there are left undone amid much done for outcasts in large cities; without this waking the work comes to nothing, meeting is useless, confusion remains, and satanic agencies to weaken and destroy keep gaining the victory.
It means putting on beautiful garments, casting off all works of darkness, departing from all iniquity, and living by great light received lest vision be clouded until light is mistaken for darkness. Each member is to examine whether his name is written in heaven, be thoroughly converted, guard the avenues of the soul against peculiar temptation and self-sufficiency, learn meekness and lowliness, delight to contemplate the Saviour's character, and turn from indulged appetite, animalized nature and corrupt thought and action. Then patience, kindness, longsuffering, mutual forgiveness and loving service appear, living faith trusts the Word, receives Christ's life, brings God's power among His people, and the sanctifying power of truth is shown with greater distinctness as a spectacle to world, angels and men, with zeal, earnest prayer and determination to let light shine so perishing souls are saved. This includes health reform and letting the sanctifying power appear in a more Christlike example revealing heaven's love and unity and the power of Christ's grace.
Warning Promise and Comfort
Having the light brings responsibility to share it, for those enlightened by truth are to be light-bearers to the world and to carry the truths entrusted to the church to those perishing for lack of knowledge of them. To hide that light at this time is a terrible mistake and a serious failure of duty, especially in medical missionary work which every church member is to take hold of for victims of physical and spiritual disease. Mere knowledge of truth is not enough, for those who fail to use the light and privileges given them remain fruitless and come under condemnation, and the call itself shows more is expected than is now being rendered.
If the church does not walk in great light its vision is clouded until it mistakes light for darkness and darkness for light. Shining means putting on beautiful garments through humble obedience and faithful conduct as doers of the word, so that the world can see fellowship with Jesus. It means revival joined to reformation, with new life and power in the soul, steady advance, repentance and confession of sin, recovery of first love, and drawing nigh to God until His presence, power, purposes and blessings rest upon His people even while gross darkness covers the earth. That first love and those first works are willing self-denying labor for souls after Christ's example, not mere outward service of attending, singing and worship, and a reformed condition in eating and drinking to God's glory and in health reform proves the light remains; willful blindness and refusal to receive, practice and act the assigned part cause the candlestick with the quickening influence of the Word to be removed out of its place, leaving only formal rules and methods and great peril, with the reform moving on without those left behind.
The chapter is a reproof and charge to leaders in the cause and those connected with institutions who have had great light but have disregarded reproof, accepted only what they choose, neglected duty, and failed in thorough consecration. The command is to arise and warn the people what is truth, receive the light with faith and follow on to know the Lord, and stop all complaining and every evil work. When heeded in this way with reformation, repentance and conversion, chapters sixty and sixty-one are understood and the Lord manifests His power in the conviction and conversion of many souls now unwarned who would hear the reasons of faith.
The verse gives blessed assurance from the living God, not from human assertions, that the light come and the glory risen are His promise to His people. To those who faithfully do their part as bearers of precious Bible truth while darkness covers the earth, and while God in compassion delays His judgments to give time to seek and save the lost, He pledges that His presence and glory will be seen upon them and will draw others to the light, including Gentiles and kings coming to its brightness. That light and glory is the Holy Spirit given as sacred endowment to those who humble the heart, submit to guidance, seek counsel and surrender the will, and the same presence that went with Paul and Barnabas goes with all who labor together with God as the secret of power, with much prayer and constant surrender bringing the pledged help of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Holy intelligences and angels wait to work through consecrated people who do the work given them, walk in the footsteps of Jesus, seek the Spirit through repentance, obedience and earnest intercession as Daniel was heard, and are not intimidated by threatenings nor overcome by despondency, so that their shining prepares the way of the Lord, finishes the work, and becomes as sacred harps sending praise to the Lamb who takes away sin. Each soul is thus called to a standard that can be reached through surrender and faith receiving Christ abiding in the heart, until the life and witness of the church bring convincing power even to the rulers of darkness.
It is the personal call of Jesus as sin-pardoning Saviour and Advocate to arise when temptation assails, when care, perplexity and darkness surround the soul, when sin struggles for mastery, when guilt oppresses conscience, and when unbelief clouds the mind. Then the soul is to look to where it last saw the light and rest in His love and under His protecting shade where rest and peace are found, remembering His grace is sufficient to subdue sin and expel darkness, and to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. When mist and fog gather around the suffering helpless invalid, the call is to come up higher and breathe the pure atmosphere of faith, and as the eye looks to Jesus darkness flees, light arrives with risen glory, and happiness in Christ is given even amid pain and suffering. So also the bereaved are called to rise from consuming grief and live on in God's presence by reason and strength from His light and glory upon them.
That light must be acted on at once while still present, for worldly perplexities and cares can extinguish it and endanger eternal life. Under the Laodicean rebuke the present word of hope still calls all to be zealous, repent, confess sin and seek the Lord now because light has come and glory rests upon His people, before the evil spirit from beneath gains sole ruling power over the life. The warning given in the verse will be met again in the day of God.
The chapter is meant to stir souls and direct them to seek the Lord and do the work essential for the time, marking clearly the position the church is to occupy as it awakes, sees clearly, shines, and carries out God's work in every age. The call itself declares that more is expected than is now rendered. When God's laws are obeyed, people are brought into harmony with the principles of heaven, light shines forth amid moral darkness, truth triumphs, and the glory of God is revealed.
Arise and shine is God's call to Zion, His church and people who know the truth, because their light has come and His glory has risen upon them. To arise is to wake from spiritual sleep, lethargy and delay and take up the appointed work with decisive action. The light given is Christ the Sun of Righteousness and the knowledge of salvation in Bible truth, and the glory is the Lord's presence and power resting on His people as the Holy Spirit to enable them to shine. This shining is set against a world covered with spiritual and moral darkness, which God's light through His people dispels and draws hearts to Him. As that glory is seen upon them, Gentiles and kings are drawn to its brightness from afar, so fulfilling the call means carrying salvation and the final warning into every land until the whole earth is lightened.
People Called to Arise
The call is addressed to Zion, to the church, to God's children and God's people who know the truth, commanding them to arise and shine because their light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them and rests upon them. It is a call to take up the appointed work, to make the truth known by carrying it into new places and taking part in reaching people, so that the way is prepared for His everlasting kingdom. The light is the knowledge of God and His saving message, and as His people do this work His glory is seen upon them amid spiritual darkness covering the earth, drawing Gentiles and bringing people from distant lands into the community of faith. The command requires personal piety and practical godliness in public work, with the Spirit of Christ resting on those who walk humbly with God so that good works shine before others and lead them to glorify God, and it shows that God expects more than is now being rendered.
To arise means to awake from spiritual sleep, slumber, idleness, inaction, cold formality and lethargy, to make room in the heart for the Spirit of God to work, and to take up the appointed work without delay with decisive action. Church members must devote their powers to saving souls perishing in sin and out of Christ, firmly establishing the truth in cities and villages and proclaiming it in the highways and byways, with men and women everywhere going forth to prepare the way for His coming. They must stand together against Satan's deceptions and deceptive theories, carry the light of their work into new territories because the end is near and a great work remains, and reach people where they are, including through publications carrying present truth so the world may be enlightened. Obeying the call brings awakening and decided change, with converted men and women so filled with the Spirit that they go from country to country and city to city proclaiming the message with earnest love for souls, opening their Bibles and presenting the Word, so that wherever they go a people is raised up to stand in the day of the Lord.
The call is present truth for this time and for the last generation, urgent because time is short, the end is near, and great peril, confusion and uncertainty are upon the world. It commands the church to awake from the lethargy Satan has brought upon it and to fulfill its heaven-appointed work of enlightening the world by cooperating with God in shedding abroad the light of Bible truth at the time when darkness and gross darkness cover the earth and the people. Fulfilling it means looking to Jesus for help and guidance, seeking to understand and proclaim the message for this time that shows God's people their transgression and sin, so that Gentiles and kings come to the light and brightness, and when the spirit of the third angel's message takes hold upon hearts this arising and shining will produce a work that God can approve. It is joined to Christ's loving rebuke to Laodicea as a word of hope for lukewarm churches, calling every one to heed it now by being zealous to repent, confessing sins and seeking the Lord before evil gains sole ruling power in the life.
Those who heed it reach a high standard that gives increase of faith and confidence and cheerful assurance, with those bearing responsibilities meeting together for seasons of seeking the Lord, rejoicing in answered prayer, talking faith and walking and living by faith as duty and privilege, and praying without ceasing for a free anointing for the great and sacred work. It gives inspiration and encouragement to enter new fields and carry the gospel into new territory, with all God's people uniting in the work and relying not on themselves but on the Lord's power and grace. God in compassion delays His judgments upon an impenitent world so His light-bearers have time to seek and save the lost, and to those who faithfully do their part He gives assurance that His presence and glory will be seen upon them and will draw others to the light. This binds Christians living in great centers of commerce and travel, believers in cities, and messengers of the Most High to take their position in the great thoroughfares of travel, in large cities, in world-renowned health resorts and centers of tourist traffic, where they can meet people from all parts of the world.
There they are to labor quietly and in humility, carrying the atmosphere of heaven, keeping self out of sight and pointing always to Christ, with mighty intercession, the love of Christ filling the heart, the Spirit of Christ poured out, readiness to stand in the judgment, and consecration bringing convincing power, not sleeping on Satan's enchanted ground but using all resources and every providential facility. The truth is not to be hidden but made known, sowing the gospel seed, rescuing truth from companionship with error and presenting it in original simplicity so men can comprehend it, with stationed ministers and canvassers holding meetings, watching and seizing opportunities to speak, accompanied by the Holy Spirit. The third angel's message as a worldwide message to all cities and villages in the highways and byways is that light, presented with clearness and power as Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, so that those who know it not accept it and carry it to homes in all parts of the earth, proclaiming the last warning before many peoples and nations and tongues and kings with the promise of Christ's presence to the end of the world, until the church is made an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations, its people all righteous inheriting the land forever as the branch of God's planting, the work of His hands, that He may be glorified.
The call applies personally and locally, to ministers and to each person who has received the light, including believers in Southern California and in Graysville and in Melbourne and Sydney, and to the discouraged and weak. To a minister it means a changed life and witness that can help others find the right way, and to the one who has received the light it means rising to shine as a light-bearer and reformer through whom the Lord's glory is revealed to souls needing comfort and encouragement. To believers in Southern California it means taking seriously Christ's teaching that they are the light of the world, letting their light shine as Christ's light in the world, and seeking renewed spiritual strength by humbling themselves before God, confessing mistakes and sins, and waiting upon the Lord. To those in Graysville it means that many men and women should now be working as mouthpieces of God, declaring the truth in its simplicity and giving this last message of warning to the world, because a great work remains to be done that they are to do, and cherishing and following the light brings a rich experience in which the light increases rather than leaving the person walking in darkness. To a bereaved man it calls him to rise from consuming grief and shine because God's light has come and the Lord's glory is upon him, giving reason and strength to turn from mourning and continue living in God's presence.
Light and Glory Given
The light that has come and the glory that has risen are God's own gift and promise to His people, not resting on human assertions, and they bring blessed assurance that calls for enlarged faith and expectation of fulfillment. The church receives this light and glory from God to do His work both at home and in distant regions, and amid the darkness covering the earth the Lord rises upon His people so that His glory is seen upon them and draws the nations to them. That promise is to be borne in mind and looked for as God's people faithfully carry His light to others.
The light is the knowledge of God and His saving message, the sacred truth opened in Scripture, Bible truth and present truth, including the law, the prophecies, and the last warning message to be carried through publications and proclaimed to the world. Those who diligently search the Scriptures receive the Holy Spirit to present that truth in language so simple that old and young, learned and unlearned can understand, because Christ's words are spirit and life. It means giving a true line of education in all points, letting the trumpet give a certain sound in proclaiming the gospel message for this time, building up and restoring by diversity of instrumentalities and talent as truth takes hold of heart and character to beautify, elevate and ennoble individuality. It means bearing sharp, strong messages, carrying the third angel's message and uplifting the banner of truth, for conversion is in it because the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. It is a call to move forward in the light of truth toward clearer understanding of Scripture with God's help, the Holy Spirit bringing truth to remembrance and heaven's light shining on those who seek it, and for those who recognize God's law as binding to declare its claims as unchanged and make them known.
The light is Christ Himself, the Sun of Righteousness, whose heavenly light shines in the heart, bringing praise to God and words of faith, courage and hope, stirring those who receive it to walk reverently with uplifted faces. That light from Jesus illuminates the converted soul, dispels darkness and guides the way, and each converted person is entrusted with a measure of it to let shine through good works, teaching and example so others may know the truth and glorify God, and as it is given out it increases and grows brighter. The light is seen in Christ's beauty and glory, and those who behold Him become radiant in His presence and are sent to serve others, like the disciples coming down from the mount of transfiguration to carry faith and prayer to those enslaved by Satan and seek their freedom through self-sacrificing love that lives, labors and sacrifices for salvation. The church shines only by reflecting the light received from Christ, and those who behold His love are changed in thought, heart and character and go out as lights reflecting that love. Christ is the Light and Lifegiver who gives light to every person, with the Spirit of truth given to each for benefit and God's wisdom guiding every true, humble, devoted worker, and His followers shine for God's glory by looking to Him as the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
The glory risen is God's presence, power, purposes and blessings resting upon His people when they draw nigh to Him, are humbled and rebuked for sin, reform and have His love revived in their hearts. It is given as the Holy Spirit, a sacred endowment and divine communication enabling them to shine, granted to those who humble their hearts, submit to His guidance, seek His counsel and surrender the will, as Paul and Barnabas did, so that the same presence goes with all who labor together with God as the secret of power. Much prayer, humbling of heart and constant surrender bring the help pledged by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and angels work for those who yield to the Spirit's leading. That glory is desired to be revealed in the churches through the Holy Spirit, and its power comes as workers rightly ask for it, since no change in God's order will effect the needed religious change without receiving this gift. The work can be done only through the Spirit under Christ's guidance by those who yield themselves to God, put away division and idle talk, speak and act righteously and work earnestly now without neglecting spiritual instruction and responsibility, and God gives such Spirit-led workers His righteousness, grace, truth, persuasive power and love for missionary work at home and abroad so their labor bears fruit in gathering people to Christ. The light is thus connected with receiving the golden oil in rich blessings, enabling workers who earnestly seek the Spirit to shine as they preach and practice the truth and join Christ's work of saving the world.
The Lord rises upon His people and His glory is seen upon them and reflected through them to the world as they take up their appointed work, for God comes down and works with them in it. Though darkness covers the earth and its people, the Spirit of Christ rests on those who walk humbly with God, calling for personal piety and practical godliness in public work so that good works shine before others and lead them to glorify God. His people have been called out of darkness and made a chosen people, and their shining witness makes God's light visible, drawing the nations and their rulers to it. The church shines as the Holy Spirit is imparted and believers live for Christ rather than themselves, with the light and glory seen in lives shaped by sacred truth, humility, meekness, self-denial and devotion to Christ.
Looking to Jesus brings that light into darkness and gives joy and faith amid suffering, with hope dispelling spiritual darkness and encouraging faith and joy in Christ even amid apparent unanswered prayer. The light is experienced by looking to Jesus and breathing the atmosphere of faith, bringing happiness and assurance in Christ even amid suffering and pain. When Zion arises and shines her light is most penetrating, and songs of praise and thanksgiving are heard in the assembly of the saints while little disappointments and difficulties are lost sight of. That shining belongs to those with deeper appreciation of God's mercy and loving-kindness, who praise Him instead of complaining, speak of the loving watchcare of the Lord and the tender compassion of the good Shepherd, study God's Word, meditate and pray, gain spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple and catch the notes of thanksgiving sung by the heavenly choir around the throne. As Zion shines her witness reaches the churches that love God and keep His commandments, praise fills the assemblies, and murmuring over small troubles ceases.
Darkness Around Light
The verse stands against its own setting where darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people, a world sunk in spiritual and moral darkness. It calls Zion, the church, and churches and people who know the truth to arise and shine because their light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon them. That divine glory is displayed through them and seen upon them even amid the covering darkness, for the Lord Himself rises upon His people. When spiritual darkness covers the world and deepens in the last days, God's word brings light into the darkness and commands His people to make His glory visible.
Amid that darkness the light and glory come from God to enable His people to shine in their appointed work, and the surrounding context shows this light draws the nations to them. This calling prepares the way for His everlasting kingdom and shines so that Gentiles and kings are drawn to its light. The church fulfills its mission by letting its light grow strong enough to dispel the moral darkness of the age, since mere profession is not enough without genuine piety, Christian zeal, self-denial and self-sacrifice. In the setting of Christ's victory over Satan and the opening of a way for hope and mercy to reach the ends of the earth, the Lord's glory rises upon His people as light that dispels the darkness of heathen superstition and draws the Gentiles to God.
The command was given in the old dispensation to get up and give light to the world, but it binds today with still greater force because the light is now brighter and shines with clearer and steadier rays. The obligation to give light is as much greater as the light is more clear and definite, requiring a brighter testimony gathered from the divine rays left by patriarchs, prophets and apostles. Meeting it means continuing to seek truth as hidden treasure, making Christ known, letting the light God has given shine in clear and steady rays, and standing like a lighthouse on a dangerous coast to warn souls so they do not wreck their faith. In contrast to merely believing about Christ without believing in Him, the bright testimony of the patriarchs and prophets and the glory of the prophecies give light to the path, and with the accumulated light of past centuries God's followers are to bear an especially bright testimony of loyalty.
When darkness is deepest the light of a noble, Godlike character shines brightest, and in the coming crisis those who fear God and trust Him will be revealed. The light in Christ shining amid moral darkness revealed the contrast between sin and holiness and between purity and defilement, exposing false claims to piety. That righteous exposure of sin was unwelcome to those who rejected it. God's people are called to carry His light into a world in spiritual darkness by keeping moving forward in the light God gives and holding His perfect and high standard before others by teaching and example. If they refuse that light it becomes darkness to them and they are lost in the darkness around them, left in darkness instead of enabled to shine, while God's standard stands against Satan's false standard which brings misery, degradation, disease and death to body and soul. God sends abundant light and glory to His people and the world for the church to receive and share, yet by rejecting the light the church becomes spiritually complacent, and a church given great light that fails to walk in it and to put on its beautiful garments and arise and shine has its vision clouded with darkness until it regards light as darkness and darkness as light.
Nations Drawn to Light
While the glory of the Lord is seen upon Zion, Gentiles and kings are drawn to its light and its brightness, coming from distant lands and from afar into the community of faith. The light is the knowledge of God and His saving message, and His glory rests upon His people as they do their appointed work of carrying that salvation to the world. This shining stands out amid darkness covering the earth and gross darkness covering the people, making God's light visible through the witness of a people called out of darkness to be chosen. The call is therefore to wake up and let the light shine, since the light and glory come from God Himself to enable His people to shine. The wise men who followed the star to Christ and worshiped Him with gifts were the first fruits of the Gentile world and a fulfillment of this drawing of Gentiles and kings, and their offerings show the fitting response to the light of Christ.
This shining prepares the way for His everlasting kingdom and belongs to a promise of worldwide ingathering with righteousness and praise springing forth among all nations. It carries His salvation and pardon throughout the world as those who work with Christ in establishing His kingdom carry the light of truth in their hearts. They are to walk humbly with God, form characters fit for eternal life, and glorify the Lord, uniting in the work and relying not on themselves but on the Lord's power and grace. God gathers His people from afar and the abundance of the nations is turned to them, giving inspiration and encouragement for entering new fields and carrying the gospel into new territory.
It was God's purpose for Israel to be the depositaries of His law and the preservers of the knowledge of Himself among men, entrusted with a sacred trust after being called out and separated from the world. Through them His light and knowledge were to reach all peoples and prepare the way for the world to know Him, with the light of heaven shining out to the dark places of the earth in a call to all peoples to turn from idolatry to serve the living and true God. They were to reveal God's character and restore His moral image in humanity, becoming a praise and a glory through the spiritual advantages God gave them. Had the Hebrews been true to their trust they would have been a power in the world, defended and exalted by God above all other nations, with His light and truth revealed through them as an example of the superiority of His wise and holy rule over every form of idolatry.
The verse is a glorious promise to be borne in mind, requiring enlarged faith and expectation to look for its fulfillment. Though darkness covers the earth and its people, the Lord rises upon His people and His glory is seen upon them, and that hope is connected with God's people faithfully carrying His light to others.
Worldwide Witness and Service
To arise and shine is to make known what has been received by carrying it into new places and new territory, into foreign fields and neglected fields and every land, until the whole earth is lightened with the Lord's glory, with the work reaching near and far and not confined to the churches, and with church members taught by example and instruction to enlighten, encourage and save the perishing. The light received is to shine outward as it is carried to others, and receiving it brings responsibility to work and share it rather than remain indifferent.
That going outward includes the neglected cities of America and nearby cities still in spiritual darkness, especially unwarned places such as New York, where people of many languages need the truth. Those whose light is come and upon whom the glory of the Lord is risen are under Christ's commission to add new territory to the Lord's kingdom, to plant the standard of truth in new places, to wake to the peril threatening men and women in the cities, to arouse the churches, and to enter as volunteers into the whitening harvest field with the last message of mercy to a guilty world. They are to take their stand in great centers of commerce and travel and in world-renowned health resorts and centers of tourist traffic, in the great thoroughfares where people from all parts of the world can be met, with stationed ministers and canvassers holding meetings, watching and seizing opportunities to speak. There they labor quietly and humbly, carrying the atmosphere of heaven, keeping self out of sight and pointing always to Christ, not hiding the truth but making it known, giving the true light, sowing the gospel seed, rescuing truth from companionship with error and presenting it in original simplicity so it can be understood, with the message Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand presented with clearness and power so that those who know it not accept it and carry it to homes in all parts of the earth.
This worldwide message to all cities and villages, in the highways and byways and before many peoples and nations and tongues and kings, is accompanied by the Holy Spirit and by the promise of Christ's presence to the end of the world, and it calls for mighty intercession, for hearts filled with the love of Christ, for the Spirit of Christ poured out, for consecration that brings convincing power, for readiness to stand in the judgment, for refusing to sleep, and for using all resources and every providential facility with practical help and gifts to support the expansion into new places. The light is carried through publications and canvassers, through sending publications containing present truth to all places, through organizing canvassing campaigns with literature so the world is enlightened about what is just before it, and through wider circulation of large books and message-filled books. It is the truth committed to the church to share with the world in the last warning message, requiring waking from spiritual sleep, making God's work a priority over worldly interests, refusing idleness and discouragement, proclaiming the gospel to all the world, and reaching people where they are. Every line of work is to be carried forward so as to recommend the truth to hearers, with a clearer showing in daily life of being the light of the world, with no selfish act in commercial or spiritual work and no thread of dishonesty drawn into the pattern.
Shining means holding aloft the third angel's message while darkness and gross darkness cover the earth and the people, looking to Jesus for help and guidance, seeking to understand and proclaim the message for this time, showing transgression and sin, declaring the claims of God's law as unchanged and binding, and proclaiming the final warning and the second coming. The call is urgent because great peril is near, Satan is stirring the powers of earth, and the world is in confusion, and it rests on ministers and lay members alike, on all who have received Christ and recognize the law. When the spirit of that message takes hold of hearts it produces a work God can approve, and as the message swells into the loud cry its proclamation is attended by great power and glory, with the faces of God's people shining with heaven's light.
The same shining is shown by serving people in despair, bringing hope to the hopeless, relieving hardship and the miseries of life, and helping the needy and suffering nearby and within their own borders, done through God's grace and strength and by a present, all-powerful God of everlasting strength in time of need. Every surrendered soul is to give self to be worked through, not only to preach but to minister, unsealing sealed fountains of earnest Christlike work and laboring as never before. This includes taking hold of medical missionary work and taking a living interest in it, studying and following the instruction of the Bible and of Christ, sharing the light given about health reform, and giving care shaped by knowledge of human needs that safeguards souls from coming evils, with practiced health reform bringing spiritual and physical blessing and revealing God's wisdom made perfect in human weakness. The world is full of victims of physical and spiritual disease perishing for lack of knowledge of truths committed to the church, those enlightened are to be light-bearers, and to hide the light now is a terrible mistake born of failure to awake to responsibility.
Believers shine by reflecting that light amid moral darkness, letting their lives show the truth in practice and make the way to God bright rather than obscure. The Lord's glory is to be seen upon those who walk humbly with God, with the Spirit of Christ resting upon them, calling for personal piety and practical godliness in public work so that good works shine before others and lead them to glorify God. The church shines as the Holy Spirit is imparted and believers live for Christ rather than themselves, in lives shaped by sacred truth, humility, meekness, self-denial and devotion, keeping the simple truth exemplified by Christ and sharing what has been received to win souls rather than to exalt self. Power to withstand the darkness of the last days comes from God, and the light is shown by exalting Jesus, honoring the Word, living holy lives, humbling self before God and seeking Him meekly until He gives richly of His Spirit and His mercy and love appear through them. Those who belong to God, redeemed by blood, reveal Christ in home and church and world, bear fruit to His glory, work with Him to enlighten the world, and look to Jesus so as to represent His character and show they have been with Him and learned from Him, with courtesy and tenderness and self-sacrificing love.
The verse stands together with Isaiah 58 and Isaiah 61:1-4 as instruction for loyal commandment-keeping people to labor together with God and repair the breach. Its work and experience appear when special help is given to those convicted and converted by the truth and to worthy poor families who love God, keep His commandments, lose employment and suffer for the Sabbath, thereby revealing to a sinful world that God has not left His people to perish.
Prophecy Through the Ages
The verse defines the work of Christ, who came to set right what unrighteous leaders had distorted and to bring light and righteousness and salvation to God's people. It predicts His coming as a distinguished Teacher whose words carry invincible power and authority, with the light come and the glory risen being His own light and His own rising, drawing Gentiles and even kings beyond Israel into saving light. The wise men who followed the star to Christ and worshiped Him with gifts were the first fruits of the Gentile world in fulfillment of that drawing of Gentiles and kings to the light, and their offerings show the fitting response to the light of Christ. By His death on the cross the power of hell was overcome and the way was opened for the message of hope and mercy to be carried to the ends of the earth, so that the heathen are no longer to be wrapped in midnight superstition and the gloom of Satan's unchallenged reign disappears before the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and whoever will may take hold of God's hand and make peace with Him.
The light of the prophecies points forward to Christ, with their types meeting fulfillment in His death and resurrection, and the glory of that revelation is to shine through His followers today. That same light of God's truth later shone from Wittenberg through Luther's teaching, praised as light that had appeared and would reach distant countries.
At Christ's second coming, while the world is plunged in darkness, His faithful followers receive the first light of His appearing, and the unsullied light of His splendor shines in their homes and dwellings. They are admired for having served Him and they rejoice in His presence and in the undimmed brightness of the King rather than fleeing when He comes in power and glory with the Father's glory and the holy angels, while the wicked flee from Him. Their readiness for heaven comes from having lived in close communion with God and reflecting the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ, so that the light of God's glory in Christ has already been reflected in their lives as they go out to meet the Bridegroom with joy as redemption draws near.
This rising belongs both to the opening proclamation of Christ's mission and to the final work that closes the world's history, when the Sun of Righteousness arises and shines gloriously upon God's people with nations and kings drawn to that brightness. As the third angel's message swells into a loud cry, its proclamation will be attended by great power and glory, and the faces of God's people will shine with heaven's light. Though the faithful may suffer persecution and prejudice and temporary grief, they will ultimately shine and be clothed in honor when the Lord's glory is revealed.
Conditions for Shining
To give light the soul must first receive light through conversion, through faith in Christ's righteousness, through personal knowledge of Christ, and through close communion that reflects the knowledge of His glory. That receiving comes from Jesus as the Sun of Righteousness, whose light dispels darkness and guides the way, and from the Holy Spirit given to guide, empower and be obeyed in reliance on God's strength. Ministers especially can give light and lift up the risen Saviour only after thus receiving, for the work depends on Christ's power and not their own.
Rising does not come from learning, position, numbers, greatness of talents or human will, but from God being with His workers day by day to teach perfect obedience. It is found by humbling the heart before God, confessing mistakes and sins, surrendering the will to His guidance, seeking His counsel, waiting upon the Lord for renewed strength, and laboring together with Him in prayer. To those who so humble themselves, seek meekly and yield to the Spirit's leading, the Holy Spirit is given as sacred endowment and secret of power, with the pledged help of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and angels working for them, and the willing and obedient gain victory after victory by contemplating Christ, grasping His hand and holding fast for His blessing.
Shining requires unity and love, with all differences swept away and all members working unitedly under Christ as the great Head. It means walking together in companionship, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, refusing tradition, presumptuous fallacies and controversy, and spending strength to save souls as laborers together with God. Such love and unity help carry the truth and the last warning message to nominal churches and the world and make God's glory visible to draw the nations.
Each converted person is entrusted with a measure of light and with abilities, resources, talents, means and influence to be understood, consecrated and put to work in diligent, fervent, consecrated service, especially by bringing the gospel and the Word into Sabbath meetings and lifting the standard higher as channels of light through the Holy Spirit. As that entrusted light is given out in good works, teaching and example for the salvation of others and the glory of God, it increases and shines more brightly. Those who fail so to use what is entrusted are like the unprofitable servant who hid his talent.
Living in the light means putting away darkness, murmuring, complaining, despondency and unbelief, and opening the heart heavenward with uplifted face. In its place are praise and thanksgiving, words of faith, courage and hope, and speech of God's love, goodness, watchcare and works, with songs given by Christ in the assembly of the saints. So little disappointments and difficulties are lost sight of, while study of the Word, meditation and prayer give spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple, catch the notes of the heavenly choir around the throne, and see Christ as Advocate presenting the incense of His merits with deeper sense of God's love and character.
The verse promises the Holy Spirit to those who diligently search the Scriptures and move forward seeking clearer understanding, bringing truth to remembrance and shining heaven's light upon seekers. That Spirit enables presentation of truth in language so simple that old and young, learned and unlearned can understand, because Christ's words are spirit and life. The same arising calls for a true line of education in all points, a certain gospel sound through the ministry of the Word, missionary restoration by diversity of instrumentalities and talents, and sharp, strong messages including the third angel's message and the uplifted banner of truth, since the perfect law converts the soul and truth takes hold to beautify, elevate and ennoble individuality like varied branches of the true vine. Here the sacred light for all nations is the word of God to be carried out by teachers.
Arising and shining means returning to first love and doing the first works, which are willing self-denying labor for souls after Christ's example rather than mere outward service of attending, singing and worship forms. It is regaining the love for souls felt at first conversion, when blessings received could not be kept silent, loving sinners with God's love, doing on earth the work Christ did, and warning multitudes left unwarned instead of growing cold, divided and waning in love with eyes taken from Jesus. It means beholding Christ's beauty and glory until radiant in His presence, then like those coming down from transfiguration carrying faith and prayer to those enslaved by Satan for their freedom, entering into Christ's joy to save the perishing, consecrating talents of means and influence, placing truth before those who do not know it, putting means into circulation for soul-saving until the converted convert others and lay up treasure in heaven, filled with a power of the Holy Spirit that Satan and his angels cannot resist, and willingly sharing in Christ's self-denial and sacrifice for the sake of Him who died to redeem the world.
For those who know the truth this means immediate, decided arousing from a nearly dead, standstill condition to action for time and eternity, for light has come and power through the Holy Spirit has been received for entrusted responsibilities. It requires renovation without delay: leaving behind past management, tone, order, wrong and confused principles, narrow control by a few minds and wrong decisions, cutting out every thread of selfishness, placing the work on a proper, sacred basis, bringing in other capable men of faith controlled by the Holy Spirit to share counsel and responsibility, broadening and enlarging into new and barren fields, moving heavenward round by round up the ladder into the everlasting kingdom, and lifting the work a hundred percent higher. In America this includes restitution to the Southern field, the most unpromising portion of the vineyard, both of money withheld and of sympathy, encouragement, prayers and means due to every worker there whom God has accepted with success beyond expectation, while unreasonable prejudice has closed the field and many duties there are left undone amid much done for outcasts in large cities; without this waking the work comes to nothing, meeting is useless, confusion remains, and satanic agencies to weaken and destroy keep gaining the victory.
It means putting on beautiful garments, casting off all works of darkness, departing from all iniquity, and living by great light received lest vision be clouded until light is mistaken for darkness. Each member is to examine whether his name is written in heaven, be thoroughly converted, guard the avenues of the soul against peculiar temptation and self-sufficiency, learn meekness and lowliness, delight to contemplate the Saviour's character, and turn from indulged appetite, animalized nature and corrupt thought and action. Then patience, kindness, longsuffering, mutual forgiveness and loving service appear, living faith trusts the Word, receives Christ's life, brings God's power among His people, and the sanctifying power of truth is shown with greater distinctness as a spectacle to world, angels and men, with zeal, earnest prayer and determination to let light shine so perishing souls are saved. This includes health reform and letting the sanctifying power appear in a more Christlike example revealing heaven's love and unity and the power of Christ's grace.
Warning Promise and Comfort
Having the light brings responsibility to share it, for those enlightened by truth are to be light-bearers to the world and to carry the truths entrusted to the church to those perishing for lack of knowledge of them. To hide that light at this time is a terrible mistake and a serious failure of duty, especially in medical missionary work which every church member is to take hold of for victims of physical and spiritual disease. Mere knowledge of truth is not enough, for those who fail to use the light and privileges given them remain fruitless and come under condemnation, and the call itself shows more is expected than is now being rendered.
If the church does not walk in great light its vision is clouded until it mistakes light for darkness and darkness for light. Shining means putting on beautiful garments through humble obedience and faithful conduct as doers of the word, so that the world can see fellowship with Jesus. It means revival joined to reformation, with new life and power in the soul, steady advance, repentance and confession of sin, recovery of first love, and drawing nigh to God until His presence, power, purposes and blessings rest upon His people even while gross darkness covers the earth. That first love and those first works are willing self-denying labor for souls after Christ's example, not mere outward service of attending, singing and worship, and a reformed condition in eating and drinking to God's glory and in health reform proves the light remains; willful blindness and refusal to receive, practice and act the assigned part cause the candlestick with the quickening influence of the Word to be removed out of its place, leaving only formal rules and methods and great peril, with the reform moving on without those left behind.
The chapter is a reproof and charge to leaders in the cause and those connected with institutions who have had great light but have disregarded reproof, accepted only what they choose, neglected duty, and failed in thorough consecration. The command is to arise and warn the people what is truth, receive the light with faith and follow on to know the Lord, and stop all complaining and every evil work. When heeded in this way with reformation, repentance and conversion, chapters sixty and sixty-one are understood and the Lord manifests His power in the conviction and conversion of many souls now unwarned who would hear the reasons of faith.
The verse gives blessed assurance from the living God, not from human assertions, that the light come and the glory risen are His promise to His people. To those who faithfully do their part as bearers of precious Bible truth while darkness covers the earth, and while God in compassion delays His judgments to give time to seek and save the lost, He pledges that His presence and glory will be seen upon them and will draw others to the light, including Gentiles and kings coming to its brightness. That light and glory is the Holy Spirit given as sacred endowment to those who humble the heart, submit to guidance, seek counsel and surrender the will, and the same presence that went with Paul and Barnabas goes with all who labor together with God as the secret of power, with much prayer and constant surrender bringing the pledged help of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Holy intelligences and angels wait to work through consecrated people who do the work given them, walk in the footsteps of Jesus, seek the Spirit through repentance, obedience and earnest intercession as Daniel was heard, and are not intimidated by threatenings nor overcome by despondency, so that their shining prepares the way of the Lord, finishes the work, and becomes as sacred harps sending praise to the Lamb who takes away sin. Each soul is thus called to a standard that can be reached through surrender and faith receiving Christ abiding in the heart, until the life and witness of the church bring convincing power even to the rulers of darkness.
It is the personal call of Jesus as sin-pardoning Saviour and Advocate to arise when temptation assails, when care, perplexity and darkness surround the soul, when sin struggles for mastery, when guilt oppresses conscience, and when unbelief clouds the mind. Then the soul is to look to where it last saw the light and rest in His love and under His protecting shade where rest and peace are found, remembering His grace is sufficient to subdue sin and expel darkness, and to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. When mist and fog gather around the suffering helpless invalid, the call is to come up higher and breathe the pure atmosphere of faith, and as the eye looks to Jesus darkness flees, light arrives with risen glory, and happiness in Christ is given even amid pain and suffering. So also the bereaved are called to rise from consuming grief and live on in God's presence by reason and strength from His light and glory upon them.
That light must be acted on at once while still present, for worldly perplexities and cares can extinguish it and endanger eternal life. Under the Laodicean rebuke the present word of hope still calls all to be zealous, repent, confess sin and seek the Lord now because light has come and glory rests upon His people, before the evil spirit from beneath gains sole ruling power over the life. The warning given in the verse will be met again in the day of God.
The chapter is meant to stir souls and direct them to seek the Lord and do the work essential for the time, marking clearly the position the church is to occupy as it awakes, sees clearly, shines, and carries out God's work in every age. The call itself declares that more is expected than is now rendered. When God's laws are obeyed, people are brought into harmony with the principles of heaven, light shines forth amid moral darkness, truth triumphs, and the glory of God is revealed.