City of Light
To Us a Child is Born
The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.
The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian.
Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there),
For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter.
For a child is born to us. A son is given to us;
There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.
- April 14, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
City of Light + Isaiah 9
- April 14, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
City of Light + Isaiah 9
Isaiah 9 is a famous Christmas passage. But, like the Shepherds, I believe this passage is more than physical birth. It’s a passage of renewal, rebirth and resurrection into an eternal city.
Light and Darkness
It begins with two unmistakable connections: In Isaiah 9, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” And “the light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.” The connections to the city of light are clear.
Similarly, the next two parts also have clear connections. In the city of light, “The nations will walk in its light.” In Isaiah 9, “You have multiplied the nations,” and “increased their joy,” all those who now rejoice before you.
The gates of the city will in no way be shut, for there is no night there. Assuming a connection, the passage in Isaiah 9 hints at what this means. There is no darkness there: no “armed man” in the “noisy battle” with garments rolled in blood which are for burning, fuel for the fire. I believe this means Satan is not allowed in the city of light. Jesus throws Satan out of the city, and into a lake of fire.
Main Entrance
In City of Light, They may enter. In Isaiah 9, For a child is born to us. As I mentioned in the Shepherd example, I believe the birth of Christ came through this doorway. Christ entered this world so we can enter his.
This matches the place in the Shepherd story where it says, “for there is born unto you in the city of David a savior who is Christ the lord.” It also matches the place where the angel descends from heaven, rolls away the stone and sits on it. The angel is a soul reborn. Just like Jesus.
The government is on Christ’s shoulders. He has the power to forgive sins and restore souls.
Book of Life
Only those whose names are written in Christ’s book of life are allowed in the city. This clearly matches the name references in Isaiah 9, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of peace.”
Remember the Shepherd story: This is where suddenly there appears with the angel a great multitude, praising God. They declare his peace among men with whom his favor rests. It’s the same place, the same people and the same promise.
Source of Life: Throne of Christ
Then, the story returns to the source: a river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God and the Lamb in the middle of its street. Isaiah 9 says, “of the increase of his government” there will be “no end, on David’s throne and on his kingdom,” to “uphold it…forever.”
The connections between the City of Light and the Isaiah 9 prophesy are unmistakable. The light has shined. His throne is forever. The City is his.
In the next example, I’d like to look at something much less familiar, but every bit as important. Click on the right arrow, or the Hebrews link to explore the next example, “Who By Faith Keys.”
To explore these passages directly, click this button:
