Jewish tradition paints a pretty vivid picture, actually. It's not subtle. According to Pesikta Rabbati 36:2, a Midrashic collection of homilies, the whole world is going to be shrouded in darkness. Utter darkness, it says. Can you imagine? Then, suddenly, light.
But not just any light. The Messiah himself will appear, standing on the roof of the Temple in Jerusalem. Yes, the Temple. Now, how can he stand on the Temple if it's not yet rebuilt? That's where things get even more interesting. Tradition tells us that one of the signs preceding the Messiah's arrival is the supernatural rebuilding of the Temple. It's like divine scaffolding, preparing the stage for this momentous entrance.
And what does he say when he appears? He proclaims to Israel, "Behold my light as it rises upon you." It's a declaration, an invitation, a promise fulfilled.
Then, something truly miraculous happens. God brightens the light of King Messiah, and this light doesn't just illuminate Israel. No, it washes over all the nations of the earth. Everyone is bathed in this divine radiance.
The light he refers to, the light that's rising, isn’t just any light either. It echoes the verse from Isaiah 60:1: "Wherefore the light is come, and the glory of Yahweh is risen upon you." The Messiah, in this moment, becomes mythically intertwined with the rising sun itself. A new dawn, quite literally, for all of humanity.
This idea of universal illumination is further emphasized in Isaiah 60:3: "And nations shall walk by your light, kings, by your shining radiance." It's not just about a select few; it's about all of humanity finding its way in this new era of light and peace, guided by the radiance of the Messiah.
So, what does all this mean? It paints a powerful picture, doesn't it? A world steeped in darkness, followed by an explosion of light, emanating from the rebuilt Temple and the figure of the Messiah. It's a vision of hope, of redemption, and of a future where all nations walk together in the light of God. It makes you wonder, what kind of light will we be carrying in the darkness until that day arrives?