“gross darkness covers the peoples, but Yahweh will arise upon you.” The time that we humans have been living in since Adam and Eve sinned is called “this present evil age” (Gal. 1:4) and it is dark and evil. Furthermore, it will get very dark and dangerous as we approach the return of Christ (see commentary on Dan. 12:1). But when Christ comes back and fights the Battle of Armageddon (Isa. 63:1-6; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21), he will conquer the earth and set up his kingdom on it. At that time there will be righteousness, peace, and prosperity that the world has never experienced before.

[For more on Christ’s Millennial Kingdom, see Appendix 3, “Christ’s Future Kingdom on earth.”]

“his glory will shine upon you.” Taken most literally, the glory of Yahweh is the brilliant cloud of light surrounding Yahweh, so if the glory of Yahweh has shined upon people, they are in the presence of Yahweh and can see His glory. However, that the glory of Yahweh would shine on people can be more expansive and mean that Yahweh will bless the people. Also, although the Hebrew text places the verb “shine” in the past tense (qal perfect), the context indicates that it is the prophetic perfect idiom for “will shine upon you.” Also, the Hebrew word translated “shined” can also mean “risen,” in the sense that when the sun rises, it shines; and that is why some English versions say “has risen” while other versions use the word “shine.” Here in Isaiah 60:2, we see that “Yahweh” and the glory of Yahweh are used interchangeably because Yahweh is surrounded by brilliant light, which is His glory, so where the glory of Yahweh is, He is too.

[For more on the glory of God, see commentary on Ezekiel 1:28. For more on the prophetic perfect idiom, see commentary on Eph. 2:6.]