Isaiah 60:22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. The Church of Christ has been often subject to persecution in past ages; but at a future time it will obtain general protection and patronage. I. THE IMPORT OF THE PROPHECY. After a careful examination of the text in connection with the former part of the chapter, I am led to conclude that it refers, primarily and in part, to the time when our Lord appeared as "the Light of men," a "Sun of righteousness" to illuminate a benighted world, and graciously introduced His kingdom and dispensation upon earth: but that the principal and pre-eminent fulfilment of the prophecy is reserved for a future and happier era than men have ever yet witnessed. The slight and partial fulfilment of the prediction in the primitive age seems to have been only a shadowy resemblance of its more complete accomplishment hereafter. II. AT WHAT PERIOD THE PREDICTION WILL BE FULFILLED. "I the Lord will hasten it in his time" — not before the proper time — but in its season — in due time. We are not justified, by the spirit of out religion, in cherishing an unhallowed curiosity or presumptuous confidence in our attempts to ascertain the purposes of God. It is on the wings of faith and hope, not those of pride and speculation, that the Christian is authorized to soar. Yet whilst a sacred obscurity invests the whole of this mysterious subject, there seems to be ample encouragement given to those who are disposed to pursue their investigations with a devout and docile disposition — with a sober and humble mind. III. CONCLUDING REMARKS. 1. The certainty of these events. 2. Our duty in prospect of such events. (1) To anticipate with delight the approaching happiness of the world. (2) The crisis that is approaching calls upon us to aim at a superior degree of piety. (T. Sims, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. |
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