For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
The verse comes right after the picture of the open gates of the glorious city and the gathering of peoples and rulers to its light, declaring that the nations and kingdoms that refuse to serve that city will perish and be utterly destroyed. As part of the prophetic message of restoration in Isaiah 60, it is joined to missionary work and the proclamation of the third angel's message, showing that nations and kingdoms that refuse to serve God's restored people will perish. The refusal to serve is refusal to serve God and His cause, bringing perishing and utter wasting, which means that every person has a soul to save or to lose.
The next verse carries the promise forward with people coming to beautify the sanctuary and make God's dwelling glorious, where the trees named there represent persons. The chapter containing the verse stands as a reproof and charge to leaders and those carrying great responsibilities, requiring study, faith and thorough consecration instead of accepting only chosen words, putting a stop to all complaining and every evil work, and warning the people what is truth. The meaning of the message of Isaiah 60 and 61 is understood only when it is heeded and accepted with faith and when reformation comes to God's people, with complaining and evil working stopped and put away and repentance and conversion taking place; then chapters 62 to 65 speak in a most decided manner and the Lord manifests His power in the conviction and conversion of souls.
Therefore believers must go directly to people with urgency to seek those who may gain or lose their souls, telling them of eternal life in God's kingdom that measures with the life of God in the kingdom of glory, sitting down with them to ask them to listen to precious truths from the Scriptures and opening to them the glorious gospel message, which few will refuse, thus opening the way to share with those willing to listen. The verse gives inspiration and encouragement to those called to take part in God's work on earth to enter new fields and occupy new territory, uniting in sowing the gospel seed with each doing his appointed work and making that work a specialty. Ministers are to move on to new fields after the truth has been preached rather than lingering over churches long established, assured that Christ and heavenly angels will unite with those who plead with the Lord for His power and grace to be manifested instead of trusting in self.
The verse comes right after the picture of the open gates of the glorious city and the gathering of peoples and rulers to its light, declaring that the nations and kingdoms that refuse to serve that city will perish and be utterly destroyed. As part of the prophetic message of restoration in Isaiah 60, it is joined to missionary work and the proclamation of the third angel's message, showing that nations and kingdoms that refuse to serve God's restored people will perish. The refusal to serve is refusal to serve God and His cause, bringing perishing and utter wasting, which means that every person has a soul to save or to lose.
The next verse carries the promise forward with people coming to beautify the sanctuary and make God's dwelling glorious, where the trees named there represent persons. The chapter containing the verse stands as a reproof and charge to leaders and those carrying great responsibilities, requiring study, faith and thorough consecration instead of accepting only chosen words, putting a stop to all complaining and every evil work, and warning the people what is truth. The meaning of the message of Isaiah 60 and 61 is understood only when it is heeded and accepted with faith and when reformation comes to God's people, with complaining and evil working stopped and put away and repentance and conversion taking place; then chapters 62 to 65 speak in a most decided manner and the Lord manifests His power in the conviction and conversion of souls.
Therefore believers must go directly to people with urgency to seek those who may gain or lose their souls, telling them of eternal life in God's kingdom that measures with the life of God in the kingdom of glory, sitting down with them to ask them to listen to precious truths from the Scriptures and opening to them the glorious gospel message, which few will refuse, thus opening the way to share with those willing to listen. The verse gives inspiration and encouragement to those called to take part in God's work on earth to enter new fields and occupy new territory, uniting in sowing the gospel seed with each doing his appointed work and making that work a specialty. Ministers are to move on to new fields after the truth has been preached rather than lingering over churches long established, assured that Christ and heavenly angels will unite with those who plead with the Lord for His power and grace to be manifested instead of trusting in self.