Isaiah 60:2

For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people, the expression referring to the murky darkness of a cloudy day; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. Here the evangelist of the Old Testament addresses himself to the congregation of believers, first of all among His own people, the faithful in Israel. It is a cry which goes forth, in undiminished power, to the Church of all times. As one who has been sluggish and asleep the Church is bidden, "Arise!" As one who has hidden her light from men she is commanded, "Shine," he a light, show the power of a real light! The reason for this summons is the opening of the Messianic period: "For come is thy Light," the Day-star from on high, the Messiah. In Him the glory of Jehovah has arisen upon the Church, like the sun arising in all his splendor and majesty. While the earth as a whole is covered by the darkness signifying the lack of the proper knowledge of God and a total abandonment to sin and iniquity, while a dark and cloudy thickness surrounds the people and lies like a pall upon them, the light which arose upon the Church, upon those who waited for the coming of the Messiah, stands out, by way of contrast, in all the greater beauty and glory, shining upon those who have waited for His coming during all the long centuries since the first Gospel-message was proclaimed.