2. What command is given to a woman lying in darkness, and why is it urgent that she obey?

² The opening words of this chapter of Isaiah are addressed to a woman in sad circumstances. She is evidently lying prostrate in darkness on the ground. Suddenly, light pierces the gloom as Jehovah, through Isaiah, calls out: “Arise, O woman, shed forth light, for your light has come and upon you the very glory of Jehovah has shone forth.” (Isaiah 60:1) Yes, the “woman” should get to her feet and reflect God’s glory!

For the benefit of those around her who are still groping in darkness, the “woman” must “shed forth light.”

3. (a) Who is the “woman”? (b) Why has the “woman” been lying in darkness?

³ Although speaking about future events, Jehovah tells the “woman” that her light “has come.” This stresses the certainty that the prophecy will be fulfilled. The “woman” being referred to is Zion, or Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. (Isaiah 52:1, 2; 60:14) The city stands for the entire nation. At the time of the first fulfillment of this prophecy, the “woman” is found lying in darkness, where she has been since Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.C.E. However, in 537 B.C.E., a faithful remnant of exiled Jews return to Jerusalem and restore pure worship. At last, Jehovah causes light to shine upon his “woman,” and his restored people become a source of enlightenment among the spiritually bedarkened nations.

A Greater Fulfillment

4. Who today on earth represent the “woman,” and to whom do the prophetic words apply by extension?

⁴ Our interest in these prophetic words goes beyond their fulfillment upon Jerusalem of old. Today Jehovah’s heavenly “woman” is represented on earth by “the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16) Over the period of its existence, from Pentecost 33 C.E. until now, this spiritual nation has come to have a total of 144,000 spirit-anointed members, “who have been bought from the earth” with the prospect of ruling with Christ in heaven. (Revelation 14:1, 3) The modern-day fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 60 centers on those of the 144,000 who are alive on earth during “the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1) The prophecy also has to do with the companions of these anointed Christians, the “great crowd” of “other sheep.”​—Revelation 7:9; John 10:11, 16.

5. When did surviving members of the Israel of God find themselves lying in darkness, and when did Jehovah’s light shine forth upon them?

⁵ For a short time in the early 1900’s, those of the Israel of God still on earth found themselves prostrate in darkness, so to speak. The first world war drew to a close with them in the situation symbolically described in the book of Revelation​—their corpses lying “on the broad way of the great city which is in a spiritual sense called Sodom and Egypt.” (Revelation 11:8) In 1919, however, Jehovah shed forth his light upon them. In response, they stood up and reflected God’s light, fearlessly proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom.​—Matthew 5:14-16; 24:14.