How does Isaiah 60:3 connect with Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19? Isaiah 60 : 3—A Prophetic Beacon “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Matthew 28 : 19—The Marching Orders “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Bridging the Prophecy and the Commission • Isaiah foresees a day when peoples beyond Israel are drawn to God’s light. • Jesus, the embodied “light of the world” (John 8 : 12), sends His followers to carry that same light to every nation. • The prophecy’s anticipated influx of Gentiles begins to unfold the moment the risen Christ commands global disciple-making. Key Parallels to Notice • Scope – Isaiah: “Nations…kings.” – Jesus: “All nations.” • Source of attraction – Isaiah: the radiance of God’s glory rising on Zion. – Jesus: His own resurrection glory and abiding presence (Matthew 28 : 20). • Movement – Isaiah: Nations come toward the light. – Jesus: Disciples go out with the light. • Result – Isaiah: World rulers acknowledge God. – Jesus: Disciples baptize and teach, leading people under every authority to confess Christ as Lord (Philippians 2 : 10-11). Supporting Scriptures • Genesis 12 : 3—Promise that “all nations” will be blessed through Abraham; Isaiah and Jesus both echo this covenant reach. • Isaiah 49 : 6—“A light for the nations,” later applied to Jesus and His church (Acts 13 : 47). • John 1 : 4-5—The life of Christ as “the light of men.” • Acts 1 : 8—Commission restated with power: “to the ends of the earth.” • Revelation 21 : 23-24—New Jerusalem illuminated by the Lamb, and “the nations will walk by its light,” directly recalling Isaiah 60. Implications for Today • Our mission flows from prophecy fulfilled and still unfolding; every step in world evangelization vindicates Isaiah’s vision. • The light that drew kings is now entrusted to ordinary believers—an urgent call to reflect Christ’s brightness wherever we go. • Confidence in success rests not on human strategy but on God’s sure word: the nations will come because He has decreed it. |
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