The Glory of the Lord Revealed in Christ

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” – Isaiah 60:1

The book of Isaiah was written to the Israelites, speaking to them before, during, and after the Babylonian exile (Isaiah 40:1–2; 41:10). It also speaks prophetically to the Messianic age and even points forward to the new heavens and the new earth (Isaiah 65–66).

The Messianic age began with the birth of Jesus, when God’s glory was revealed through the visible manifestation of the invisible God in the Son. Yet this glory will not be fully realized until Christ’s second coming. His birth brought light, hope, and salvation, and one day His kingdom will be fully realized when He returns as a conquering King.

Isaiah was sent by God to bring warnings and rebukes, calling Israel and Judah to repentance (Isaiah 1:2–20; 5:1–30; 7–8; 28–33). He also announced judgment against Israel, Judah, and the surrounding nations (Isaiah 6; 13–23; 34). The book includes instruction and correction, teaching God’s people how to live faithfully and pursue justice (Isaiah 1:17; 58:6–12).

At the same time, the God-inspired author provides prophetic hope and edification, especially during and after the exile (Isaiah 40–66). He gives powerful Messianic promises that point directly to Jesus (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; 11; 42; 49; 53; 61). And Isaiah shares a vision of the future kingdom and new creation (Isaiah 60–66).

Through all of this, the messenger encouraged the people of God, assuring them that the Lord would rescue them again and that the nations would ultimately be drawn to His glory.

It was when the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 539 BC that the Jewish people were able to return to Jerusalem.

Isaiah’s prophecies foretold the rise of Cyrus and his decree allowing the Jewish people to return from Babylonian exile, even though Isaiah lived roughly 150–200 years before Cyrus (see Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). After Cyrus issued a decree allowing them to return home, some returned immediately under leaders like Zerubbabel and Jeshua, while Ezra and Nehemiah led later groups.

The prophet was not just telling the Jewish people to arise and let their light shine because the glory of Yahweh had come upon them, but he was also foretelling and prophesying that the nations would one day recognize God’s glory and glorify Him.

He was pointing forward to the day when God’s glory would be revealed in Jesus Christ (John 1:14; John 8:12; Luke 2:10‑11; Matthew 2:1‑12), shining as a light to all people, both Jews and Gentiles alike.

People from every nation would see this light and be drawn to God, fulfilling the ultimate promise of salvation and restoration. The promise first given to Abraham, that through his seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3; 22:18), finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah wrote both for the people living in his time and for generations to come. So what can we learn from Isaiah 60:1 as Christians who love, believe, and obey God’s Word today?

Here are three takeaways:

1. God’s Glory Has Come

Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” At Christmas we celebrate that God’s glory entered the world in the person of Jesus who is the supreme Light of the world. The world, once held captive in darkness and sin, has now seen a great light (Isaiah 9:2; Luke 2:10‑11).

Christ has shone into our darkness, bringing hope, peace, and joy. He came to rescue us from the kingdom of darkness and transfer us into His kingdom of light so that we may experience freedom and live for God and His glory (Colossians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 4:6).

Through the incarnation, Jesus, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, took on a second nature in what theologians call the hypostatic union, remaining fully God while also becoming fully man. Begotten of the Father before all time, He is of the same essence as God and was never created. He is the God-man, fully God and fully man, truly God and truly man.

He lived in perfect obedience to God the Father and died a perfect death as our substitutionary sinless sacrifice, taking on our sin and punishment. He rose triumphantly on the third day and, after 40 days, ascended to the right hand of the Father, ruling and reigning victoriously over all.

At the incarnation, the very nature of reality changes. It’s the first significant change in the nature of reality since creation. God and creation come together and will stay that way for eternity. – Darryl Dash

Jesus Himself illustrates this reality-changing truth when He declares, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Because God’s light has come, we can rise with confidence and live in obedience today.

2. We Are Called to Reflect His Glory

Just as the Israelites were called to “arise and shine” (Isaiah 60:1), we are called to live in the light of God’s glory.

Christmas is about Jesus coming and taking on human flesh, becoming part of His creation, making it possible for sinners to experience the supernatural, miraculous transformation of being born again by grace through faith in Christ (John 3:3‑7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8‑9). We go from hard, stony hearts that pursue evil and selfishness to hearts that are softened to love God and others (Ezekiel 36:26; Galatians 5:22‑23).

This transformation is only possible if God changes us from the inside out through the process of regeneration by the Spirit through repentance and belief in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. This change also makes it possible for us to reflect His light to our families, friends, and communities.

Shining His Light in Downtown Eastside Schools

Through our partnerships with local schools, including Strathcona Elementary, Admiral Seymour Elementary, and Britannia Secondary, we’ve had opportunities to put faith into action. Funds from Coastal Church have gone toward providing food for Strathcona students, purchasing and delivering science equipment for grades 6 and 7 at Admiral Seymour, and hosting field trips to Eden Cafe.

One especially memorable initiative brought students from Strathcona Elementary to Coastal Eden Cafe for baking classes. The students enjoyed hands-on learning while connecting with our Church community in a fun, positive, and creative environment, experiencing God’s love in action. It was a beautiful example of how small acts of service can reflect God’s love and shine His light into the lives of others.

Stories like this remind us that God’s glory, revealed in Christ as light, isn’t just to be admired; it is meant to shine through our actions. That is why Jesus said, “I am the light of the world…” (John 8:12) and also told His followers, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

Good works call for our devotion. After all, they’re what we were “created in Christ Jesus for” (Eph. 2:10). We must actively “learn” to do them. The ability to do good works is infused into us when we’re born again—so the potential is there. But the actual doing of them is a learned skill (like riding a bike or reading), and part of Great Commission discipleship is teaching people to do them (Matt. 28:20). – Justin Dillehay

Our faith and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, reflect the glory of Christ to the world (Galatians 5:22‑23; Matthew 5:16). As Jesus teaches, we are to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14‑16).

The Bible gives us plenty of practical ways to let our light shine: caring for the poor, helping orphans and widows, serving those in need, showing hospitality, forgiving others, and loving our neighbours in the same way as we love ourselves. (See Matthew 5:16; James 1:27; Isaiah 58:6–7; Romans 12:13; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 22:39).

As we reflect on what it means to let God’s light shine in and through us, consider this: In what ways are you already letting His light shine, and in what new ways might God be calling you to shine even more brightly?

3. God’s Glory Draws All Nations

Isaiah speaks of a light so bright that all nations are drawn to God (Isaiah 60:3). The story of the Magi visiting Jesus shows that Christmas is for everyone, from every nation (Matthew 2:1‑12).

God’s glory, shining as light, calls all people to salvation (John 12:46). Yet this invitation into an eternal reconciled relationship with our triune God must be embraced through faith in order to be experienced (John 3:16‑17; Romans 10:9‑10).

Before Christ ascended to heaven, He told His followers: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19‑20). He desires that His light reach the ends of the earth throughout all generations, until He returns for His Church.

Paul teaches in Galatians 3:8 that the gospel was foretold to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” In Revelation 7:9‑10, John describes a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language worshipping before God’s throne and the Lamb, crying out, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Regardless of our ethnicity, calling, spiritual gifts, or socioeconomic standing, Christ calls people to be disciple-making disciples, advancing His gospel, which is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). We are called to share the gospel through our words and deeds, as we reflect Christ’s love, mercy, and glory in the world (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12).

May we continue to marvel at the glory of God revealed in Christ and live as people who intentionally shine His light, empowered by His Spirit, in a world that desperately needs hope, peace, and salvation.