288. ISA 60:8. THE INCREASE OF THE CHURCH
Isa_60:8. The Increase of the Church
"Who are those that fly as a cloud, and as the doves down to their windows?"’97Isa_60:8
In this splendid description given of the latter-day glory, the accessions to the church of Christ are so numerous, that, astonished at the vastness and rapidity of the increase, the prophet exclaims, Who are these that fly as a cloud?" &c.
Let us notice,
I. The Scene beheld,
And,
II. The Inquiry instituted.
Observe, then,
I. The Scene beheld.
It is the movement of a great number of immortal souls to Christ, and his church. They "fly as clouds, and as doves to their windows."
Let us inquire,
1. From whence do they come?
The passage relates to the conversion of the Gentiles, and, therefore, implies their previous distance from God and his people. This will apply to the natural state of all men. All are far from God; far from righteousness, far from salvation. Hence they are represented as wanderers, aliens, outcasts, ready to perish. In the regions of darkness, and the shadow of death.
2. To what do they come?
The text refers to "windows," which obviously imply a building, or house. Now this movement of souls is,
(1) To the ordinances of the Gospel. To the feast provided for a starving world. See Mat_22:1-4. Here are prepared, announced, and offered all which their circumstances can require: knowledge, freedom, peace, holiness, and eternal life.
(2) They come to the fellowship of the church. "We will go with you," &c. "This people shall be our people," &c. "One thing have I desired," &c. They first allied themselves to Christ, and then to his cause.
3. In what manner do they come?
"Fly as clouds," &c.
(1) Their movement is divine. God directs the clouds in their course, and gives the dove its instinct by which it reaches its native window. God draws sinners to himself. He speaks, and awakes the soul. No man can come to Christ unless the Father draw him. Now,
(2) This movement is earnest and rapid. Clouds are borne swiftly on the wings of the wind. Doves fly with amazing rapidily. Now the soul awakened to a sense of sin, becomes intensely anxious for safety and flies with eagerness and with holy earnestness to the refuge provided.
(3) This movement is public and manifest. Not like Nicodemus. Grace in its essence is invisible’97within the heart. But its existence will be evidenced in the life. Christ’s name must be professed. His cross publicly borne. His example followed. Our course must be seen. The church must see it. The world must see it. Devils must see it. Angels must see it, &c.
(4) This movement is harmonious. Clouds move in one direction. Doves fly in flocks. All souls come to God in one way. Source, medium, nature, and effects of religion always the same. One Saviour, one, cross, and one saving faith, by which its efficacy is derived.
Notice,
II. The Inquiry instituted.
"Who are these?" &c. Now this inquiry is the language of delightful surprise, of joyous astonishment. And this astonishment arises,
1. From the variety of character and the previous state of those who come to Christ.
Men of all nations, colors, degrees, and religions. Pagans, Mahomedans, Jews, &c., &c. The rude savage and the polished citizen, the illiterate and the philosopher, the child and the sage, the moral and the profane, &c.
2. From the multitude of those who compose this movement.
They shall come to Christ as flocks of doves, or as clouds, the number of whose drops cannot possibly be ascertained. In some respects it was so in the first ages: the day of pentecost, &c. It shall yet be more eminently so. "The north shall give up," &c. "Ethiopia, shall stretch," &c. "A little one shall become a great nation," &c. The redeemed host shall outnumber the drops of morning dew, &c. Isa_49:18.
Application
1. Have you fled to Christ? Are you sheltered in his bleeding side? Are you the children of his family, &c.
2. Let us labor for the extension of his cause, and for the diffusion of his glory 3. Let us rejoice in the certainty of Messiah’s conquests and universal reign.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS