he glories of the church of God, when the fulness of the
Gentiles shall come in. (1-8) and the Jews shall be converted
and gathered from their dispersions. (9-14) and the kingdoms of
this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his
Christ. (15-22)
Verses 1-8: As far as we have the knowledge of God in us, and the
favour of God towards us, our light is come. And if God's glory
is seen upon us to our honour, we ought, not only with our lips,
but in our lives, to return its praise. We meet with nothing in
the history of the Jews which can be deemed a fulfilment of the
prophecy in this chapter; we must conclude it relates
principally to future events. It predicts the purity and
enlargement of the church. The conversion of souls is here
described. They fly to Christ, to the church, to the word and
ordinances, as doves to their own home; thither they fly for
refuge and shelter, thither they fly for rest. What a pleasant
sight to see poor souls hastening to Christ!
Verses 9-14: God will be very gracious. We must begin with his promise,
thence all mercies take rise. Many shall be brought into the
church, even from far countries. Christ is always ready to
receive all who come to him; and the gate of mercy is always
open, night and day. All that are about the church shall be made
serviceable to it. But those who will not be subject to Christ's
golden sceptre, to his word and Spirit, who will not be kept in
by the laws and rules of his family, shall be broken in pieces
by his iron rod. The peculiar advantages of every nation, and of
every description of men, shall join to beautify the church of
Christ. We must suppose this to be accomplished in the beauties
of holiness, and the graces and comforts of the Spirit, with
which gospel ordinances are adorned and enriched. Blessed be his
name, the gates of Zion are ever open to returning sinners.
Verses 15-22: We must look for the full accomplishment in times and
things, exceeding those of the Old Testament church. The nations
and their kings shall lay themselves out for the good of the
church. Such a salvation, such a redemption, shall be wrought
out for thee, as discovers itself to be the work of the Lord.
Every thing shall be changed for the better. In thy land shall
no more be heard threats of those that do violence, nor
complaints of those that suffer violence. Thy walls shall be
means of safety, thy gates shall be written upon with praises to
God. In the close of this chapter are images and expressions
used in the description of the New Jerusalem, (Re 21:23; 22:5).
Nothing can answer to this but some future glorious state of the
church on earth, or the state of the church triumphant in
heaven. Those that make God their only light, shall have him
their all-sufficient light. And the happiness shall know no
change or alloy. No people on earth are all righteous; but there
are no mixtures in heaven. They shall be wholly righteous. The
spirits of just men shall there be made perfect. The glory of
the church shall be to the honour of God. When it shall be
finished, it will appear a work of wonder. It may seem too
difficult to be brought about, but the God of almighty power has
undertaken it. It may seem to be delayed and put off; but the
Lord will hasten it in the time appointed by his wisdom, though
not in the time prescribed by our folly. Let this hope cheer us
under all difficulties, and stir us up to all diligence, that we
may have an abundant entrance into this everlasting kingdom of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
he glories of the church of God, when the fulness of the
Gentiles shall come in. (1-8) and the Jews shall be converted
and gathered from their dispersions. (9-14) and the kingdoms of
this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his
Christ. (15-22)