Isaiah 60:9
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
The distant isles wait for God, and the ships of Tarshish lead in bringing His sons from far with their silver and gold with them to the name of the Lord thy God and to the Holy One of Israel, because He has glorified His people. The distant nations thus respond to God's glory by bringing His scattered people and their wealth to honor the Lord. The gathering comes because God has glorified His people, with strangers and their kings helping to build up His work.
The verse belongs to Isaiah's description of Christ's work. It prophesies the church's worldwide gospel mission gathering people from the nations to God. It outlines the possibilities that are before God's people if they faithfully perform the work given them to do. It shows what may happen when they do their work faithfully, that people will come from far away.
Wealthy people who hold the Lord's money in trust will bring their silver and gold to help carry missionary work in all parts of the world. This encourages the belief that they will give their entrusted means to support the work. There is a right to ask wealthy men for means to sustain the Lord's work, with the expectation that they will come to help and some will count it a privilege to give.
The means thus gathered are to be used without wasteful spending in an extensive work of gathering souls. Time is short and the coming of the Lord is very near, though its appointed time is not told. Asking for and giving means belongs to being workers together with God as His instrumentalities and agents, using all strength of influence to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth. Being aroused to give the real message is necessary in order to be saved.
With such a prospect faith and expectation must be enlarged. Workers together with God must not hover about large centers enjoying church privileges but must do work outside the church in every city and town and village, imparting to others the truths they have heard and laboring for souls as those who must give an account. All are to unite in sowing the gospel seed, each doing his appointed work as a specialty, in new fields and new territory. Ministers are to preach the truth in a place and then move on to enter new fields, while Christ and heavenly angels unite with those who plead for power and grace rather than trusting in self. The truths received are to be carried beyond the church to those who need them.
The verse gives inspiration and encouragement for those called to act a part in God's work on earth, applied directly to working now in a needy town such as Merced. It shows the Lord glorified in His people entering new fields and occupying new territory. The gospel message for this time must be proclaimed with a certain trumpet sound through ministry of the Word. It takes hold of heart and character to beautify and elevate individuality while using marked variety and diversity of talent and instrumentalities in missionary work to build up and restore. It bears sharp strong messages with sons of consolation and carries the third angel's message that uplifts the banner of truth because conversion is in it through the perfect law that converts the soul.
As part of Isaiah 60, the verse must be heeded and accepted and understood. As part of the message in Isaiah 60 and 61, it must be studied, heeded and accepted. Its true understanding comes when reformation comes to God's people. Taking its words while stopping all complaining and every evil work opens the way for the Lord to manifest His power in the conviction and conversion of souls. Putting away evil works, coming nigh, repenting and being converted brings the appearing of the Lord for the conviction and conversion of souls.