Notes on Isaiah. Chapter 60

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We have here not the moral state only, but the glory of Jerusalem as to her own (v. 4) then as to the Gentiles, as to the Lord Himself, her glory, and that everlasting—her people all righteous—the branch of Jehovah's planting, that He might be glorified. She was the place of Jehovah's feet. His sanctuary would be established there, and all woods of cost brought for its embellishment, even from far. He Himself would be her Sun, her everlasting Light. Note it was to be her light. The Gentiles were to come to her rising. The comparison with Rev. 21:2222And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (Revelation 21:22), is evident in all its parts, but there there is no temple. It is not the place of God's feet—He is the Temple there, and the Lamb.
Notice the difference between the heavenly Jerusalem (Rev. 21 and 22) and the Jewish, or earthly, given in this and the following chapter, not only in the difference of immediate glory, but the former is risen in glory (of righteousness and true holiness)—all grace. Most blessed is the account! Read and study it yet! Also put together what is the portion in the city (Rev. 22) with what the city is. Grace and glory be unto Him who has given, and made it! (2 Cor. 1:2020For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)). Nothing can be more blessed than the picture there (Rev. 21 and 22) of matured holiness in grace, and this brought out into accomplishment in itself, and then overflowing in grace towards others. The tincture of grace runs through it all. Adam was complete in that little sphere, so blessed, but then it ended; blessed as it was, there was no flowing out there. It was not the matured blessedness of communion—unity with the fullness of God through grace. In Jerusalem there shall be display of glory, but glory suited to the dealing with them. Righteousness shall be its character. But the Church! The Church knows grace. My God, what hast Thou done in Christ, given in the Cross! What hast Thou given us in the revelation of Thyself! May the secret of God be in our souls! May He be our secret! And, my God, Thou knowest the rest, may I know it, have it! Oh! that I might, may be kept there, and that be kept with me, through grace! That is what I pray for, but I say, "Thy will be done." May the fullness and grace of Christ be exalted!