The following extracts from John Calvins Commentary on Isaiah, mostly from chapter 60, clearly point to the millennial glory of the Church in this world.
“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (v.3). He alludes to the dawn; for, as the morning-star begins the day in one quarter only of heaven, and immediately the sun enlightens the whole world, so the daybreak was first in Judea, from which the light arose and was afterwards diffused throughout the whole world; for there is no corner of the earth which the Lord has not enlightened by this light. He mentions “kings”, that they might not imagine that none but the common people would come to this light, but princes and nobles, who in other respects are greatly delighted with their high rank. But now he confers on the Church the very highest honour, that she shines with such brightness as to attract to herself nations and princes. He calls it “the light” of the Church; not that she has any light from herself, but borrows it from Christ, as the moon borrows from the sun.
“Thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side” (v.4). I consider the plain meaning to be that both sons and daughters shall run together to the Church; that is, that the Church shall have sons and daughters, not only at home but abroad, and in the most distant parts of the world; that the womb of the Church shall not be limited to any corner of the world, but shall be extended as far and wide as there shall be space throughout the whole world.
“Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear (or tremble) and be enlarged” (v.5). He now mentions “trembling” and connects it with splendour or joy; and this may appear to be inconsistent with the meaning assigned to the former clause. But I have no doubt that he intended by this word to express the astonishment and even amazement with which the Church shall be seized, when she shall perceive that this strange and unexpected honour has been obtained by her, and that she has been elevated to so high a rank of honour. As if He had said, “The extent of the work will be so great as to exceed thy expectation.” It is not, therefore, the “trembling” which is produced by some danger or some melancholy event, but such as commonly arises in matters of great importance which exceed the capacity of our understanding, when we are struck with amazement and almost think that we dream; and this “trembling” agrees very well with joy.
“Surely the isles shall wait for me” (v.9). “They shall wait for,” that is, they shall observe my will; as servants are wont to comply with the will of their masters. Do not wonder, therefore, that so many shall flow into the Church; for “the islands”, which at present sometimes despise and sometimes fight against me, shall be so attentive to me as to execute whatever I shall command. And indeed from the remainder of the verse it is manifest that he now speaks of that kind of obedience.
“Therefore thy gates shall be open continually.” (v.11). The gates shall be open, that riches may be brought into the city from every quarter. And as burdens are usually carried in the daytime, “the day,” he says, “will not be enough, so vast shall be the crowd of those who bring into it precious treasures, and therefore the carrying will be so constant that it will be necessary to keep the gates open night and day.”
When he says that the riches of the Gentiles shall belong to the Church, let us not view this as referring to carnal luxury, but to obedience, which the whole world shall render to God in the Church; for he says that what is offered to God belongs to the Church, because here God has nothing separate from it.
“Before all the nations” (Isa. 61:11). He again shews that the boundaries of the Church shall no longer be as narrow as they formerly were, for the Lord will cause her to fill the whole world.
“I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see my glory.” (Isa. 66:18). He means that the knowledge of God shall be spread throughout the whole world; for the Greeks, Italians, Parthians, Cilicians, and other nations had heard nothing about pure religion and the true worship of God; and the whole world was plunged in the deepest darkness of ignorance. He therefore promises that the glory of God shall be known in every part of the world. The word “nations” is emphatic; for at that time the Lord was known to not more than one people, but now he has revealed himself to all.”
Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – October 1999