Isaiah 60:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

How will the sun not be your source of light while your sun remains unsetting? How can the moon's brightness still shine upon you, yet your moon remains concealed? The source of all light will not be absent, but it will not radiate with the same brilliance as the Lord; the source of all light illuminates merely for a period the physical form, while the light of God enlightens both the body and the spirit. Are you aware of the wonders? God unveils the blessings He plans to grant His people after their deliverance from exile, while also prophesying the abundant grace of the new covenant. Not only will the source of all light shine forth, but even more splendidly, the light of God will enlighten hearts and minds—the light from which the people sought to turn away.

Some interpret the proposed words in this manner: In the final days of the age, those who have passed away shall rise, and Christ, our Savior, will return from heaven accompanied by the holy angels, shrouded in the Father's glory. At that moment, the brilliance of the elements will fade, and the heavens as well as the earth will be made anew, in fulfillment of His promise, as stated in scripture (2 Pet. 3:13). The Savior Himself conveyed a similar message, indicating that during those times the sun will be obscured, and the moon will cease to shine (Matt. 24:29); for the very glory of the Savior will suffice to illuminate the saints.

The sun shall no longer be your source of light, nor will the moon cast its glow upon you; rather, the Lord will be your eternal illumination, and your God will be your splendor. Your sun will not set, nor will the moon diminish, for the Lord will be an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will come to an end. In the future, the roles of the sun and moon will become obsolete, transitioning to the time after the passing of heaven and earth, when the Lord alone will provide unending light. While some interpret this as a literal fulfillment, we acknowledge that it has been fulfilled spiritually, differing from their views about the nature of the promises, rather than the timing.

The future existence This describes the future existence, which does not rely on the sun or the moon, as it is illuminated by the ineffable light of God. This divine light can be experienced even now by those who have faith; enlightened by this radiance, they navigate their paths without error. The prophet also declared regarding this future existence: he who possesses unwavering determination is crowned with eternal righteousness. The one who is free from sin does not experience youth or old age, but instead lives an everlasting life, inheriting the realm of the living.

The Holy Scriptures exhibit a lofty nature, as they assure the joys of everlasting life in the celestial abode. This elevation is evident in the words of the prophet, who declares, "The sun shall not be unto thee in the light of day, neither shall the rising of the moon enlighten thy night: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and the Lord thy glory."

There are two forms of illumination: one that is created and another that is uncreated. The Prophet speaks of the uncreated light, stating, "And the sun shall not be to thee in the light of day, neither shall the rising of the moon enlighten thy night: but the Lord shall be to thee an everlasting light, and the Lord thy God thy glory. The sun shall not go down upon thee, neither shall the moon fail thee: the Lord shall be to thee an everlasting light" (Is. 60:19-20). This is elaborated upon in the Orthodox Confession of the Catholic and Apostolic Church of the East, specifically regarding the second aspect of the Creed. In Question 36, we seek clarification on the meaning behind the phrases Light from Light.

The arrival of the Lord is foretold by the promise that for those who receive divine insight, the Lord will be your eternal illumination (Is 60:19). When the construction of this house was revitalized, God revealed to Him the house of Judah, which symbolizes the vibrant Church of God, governed by a Savior from the house of Judah.