2026.05.17 Sunday 2nd Service
237 Missions Dept. Devotional Worship
「Shine the Light the LORD Has Given」
(Is 60:1-12)
The deaconesses who prayed from the very beginning are here in front. There is a way for you to receive the same answer without going out to the mission field. Also, disciples of many ethnicities from around the world are worshiping together. Even though you are here without going to those nations, there is a way to save those nations.
Isaiah’s Prophecy – Fulfilled in Babylon (Captivity – Reason)
This passage is Isaiah’s prophecy. And the people who understood it are the ones in whom it was fulfilled in Babylon. Why is that? He explained the reason they would go into captivity. And he explained the reason for restoration. And a few people understood this reason. In Babylon. And the word was fulfilled. Do you understand what that means? Going to the field and doing missions is very important, but if you know those people and know why missions must be done, you receive the same answer. They went into captivity because they did not do world missions. When they understood that reason, they were liberated.
Why on earth are we told to do world missions — missions to other nations? Today’s passage makes it clear. It says all the earth and all peoples are in darkness. This darkness is not merely unseen darkness; because it is a darkness that brings complete disaster and curse, the light must be shone.
(Covenant – 24, 25, eternity = watchman)
There were people who understood this reason and held a very important covenant that could not be overcome. They were given a covenant that cannot be overcome. The explanation of why they had to perish was all given, and servants emerged who enjoy 24 all day and all night with this covenant. The word “24” means the true happiness of enjoying that power. People who love fishing will go out to fish at dawn without even sleeping. Why would they do that? It’s not: “I need to earn money doing this so I can eat.” That would be miserable. Getting up at dawn and going out with a fishing rod just to make a living? That is miserable. They’re spending money on something that doesn’t earn money at all. Why? Because fishing brings them joy. It makes them happy, so they go. Those who truly know this covenant know restoration, so 24 is the greatest happiness for them. That is why they are told to become the watchmen of (24, 25, eternity).
“Shine the Light the Lord Has Given” (Isaiah 60:1-12)
The reason is that there is nothing else that will do. Shine the light the Lord has given. This light is remarkable. Today we read this — Isaiah chapter 60, verses 1 through 12.
▣ Introduction_ What Light
So what light does it speak of? This is important.
1. Gospel – Light (Faith)
The gospel itself is light. It is light that completely overcomes darkness. Light and darkness are not a match. The moment light enters, darkness flees. The moment the gospel enters, curses and darkness flee. Therefore, shine it upon all peoples. All the earth is covered in darkness, in thick darkness, so shine the light. It’s not a perfect comparison, but to put it loosely in worldly terms — it’s like shining a light on a reef lurking at the bottom of a dark sea. If you don’t do that, passing ships will crash into it and everyone will die. The colors are slightly different from each other. Red light means it’s extremely dangerous — stay away. Then you pass at a distance from it. What if that light went out? What if no lighthouse was built there and it was just left? You can’t see the bottom of the sea. Ships crash into it. Then the world collapses in the same way. That is why the gospel itself is light. This is something we must believe. Why? Because God gave it.
1) Genesis 1:3
Genesis chapter 1, verse 3 — the light of creation that broke through darkness, chaos, and emptiness.
2) Isaiah 60:1-3
So looking at Isaiah chapter 60, verses 1 and 3 — this light of glory has already come upon you, so shine it. The moment you shine it, everything comes back to life. Israel, which did not do this, received the curse. It was deserved, rightly so. They went into captivity because they did not do this. Through those who understood the reason, restoration came. You only need to know the reason. “Ah, so this is missions. Ah, so that is why the missionaries are important. Ah, so that is why those of many ethnicities are important.” That is how the realization comes. Even without going, it is done through prayer.
3) John 1:11
Why is that? Because Jesus came as the light. Jesus is the light. So to those who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
4) Matthew 5:13-16
So it is not difficult at all — we who believe are the light of the world. If you have friends going into the military, there is at least one thing you must do. There are soldiers with depression. The military chaplains and military ministry are said to be there, yet they don’t know about it. Those soldiers are dying by suicide. You must shine the light to them. And here is something even more important. When our Remnant go, the people will sense it even without you trying to shine the light. They will approach you. If not, you must approach them. Do it every day. Works will happen. You must make the darkness flee. If you don’t do that, some people inside the barracks will cause serious incidents and die by suicide. Elders and others, you all have jobs. You don’t need to go around aggressively evangelizing inside the workplace — that looks a bit odd. You yourselves are the light. If you carry that light, people drowning in darkness will come to you. See it clearly — what missions is. When you shine the light, people who were in darkness will come. You yourselves are the light.
5) 1 Peter 2:9
So in 1 Peter chapter 2, verse 9 — he called us so that we would shine this light, and he didn’t call us just anyhow — he called us as a royal priesthood. I have done evangelism for 40 years, and though there were many problems and difficulties, I never worried. Why? Because I am a royal priest — why would I worry? He called us as a holy nation, a chosen people. When all is said and done, all of it brought answers and all was overcome. When we are persecuted for something we did wrong, we repent — isn’t that right? Persecution received otherwise carries tremendous, significant meaning. We did an evangelism movement here and in about 3 years a thousand disciples arose, and the surrounding churches began to persecute us. It doesn’t matter. That persecution has no effect. I went out across all of Korea. Then Korea started to persecute us. The people in Busan — they can’t do evangelism, but they are good at this. They spread things all across the country and the world and tried to make things difficult. I thought: “Ah, every person has their own 24.” It doesn’t matter. Our disciples are rising up all over the world. Since they’re persecuting from all over the world, it doesn’t matter. We’re going to the 5,000 peoples. Finally, once we began entering the 5,000 peoples, the tide turned. I won’t say which denomination, but for several years they kept attacking us to cause confusion in Vanuatu. God did a special work in Vanuatu. Didn’t he? What was the result? As I mentioned, Vanuatu spoke as a nation. “You leave our country.” The president of the nation made the decision. “As we see it, this is not right. We too are people who studied theology.” Something absurd happened. So that is why he called us as royal priests — so that we would deliver this light. You must believe it. As for persecution and such things, don’t even blink.
2. Prayer – Enjoying the Light
What is prayer? Prayer is praying to God — but what kind of blessing is it? It is enjoying this light. Because the light is Christ.
3. Evangelism – Delivering the Light
What is evangelism? What is missions? It is delivering this light. It is conveying this light. I explained it simply through the concept of light today. The only way to eliminate darkness is through light. If, though different from that light, you think about there being no electricity here right now — we’d have to live in complete darkness. What happens spiritually when darkness covers us? So because that light is Christ, and because we have this Christ, we only need to shine the light. Honestly, even prayer alone is enough. People don’t understand prayer, but prayer alone is sufficient. Prayer moves the throne. Prayer establishes the throne’s bartizan. Prayer travels the throne’s journey. Prayer leaves the throne’s guidepost. You can do it as much as you want.
▣ Main_ Light
So what is this light? Why are you being told to pray?
1. The True Strength of 237
It is because this is the true strength that saves 237. Where did this light come from?
1) The Creator of Light
Because it is light from the throne, God is the Creator of this light. That is right. So this power is immense.
2) The One Who Came as Light
The One who came as light is Christ. The power to save 237 is nothing other than this.
3) Those Who Deliver the Light
Those who deliver this light are you people. Therefore, the true strength that saves 237 is not found in many things — it is nothing other than this. In those 5,000 peoples, darkness must flee first. When the gospel came into our country, darkness began to crumble first. Bowing before trees. That is how our country was. Bowing even before rocks. Bowing before certain seas. Even bowing before the moon. That is how our country was. Darkness covered everything. When the light of the gospel shines, all darkness automatically flees.
2. The Timetable of 237
The second thing to understand. When is the timetable for this true light to shine upon 237? We need to see this clearly. When is the timetable?
1) Slavery
It is simple. When enslaved. That is when it shines. In reality, when the whole world was enslaved to Satan.
2) Captivity
God sent Israel into captivity so they would understand. This is the timetable for the light to shine. At that time God said: “Arise and shine.” That is all you need to do. “The glory of the Lord has already come upon you.” You must believe it. “The small shall become a thousand, and the weak shall become a strong nation.”
3) Vassalage
When made a vassal state.
4) Wandering
When they became wanderers. This is the timetable for the light to shine. The suffering you experience is the timetable for enjoying and delivering the light. Never be discouraged; even the sick must gain more strength. This is the time for you to gain the greatest strength. You must not be deceived. If you become deceived in your heart and fall into discouragement, all your nerves break down. When you truly gain spiritual strength, you gain strength in your heart and your body also comes alive. It’s only because people don’t know the spiritual realm. Your work also comes alive.
3. The Answers of 237
So then, what kind of answers are the answers of the light of 237?
1) Isaiah 6:1-13 Throne
What kind of answer is it? It was already given. What is it? Enjoying the power of the throne is the answer. This comes first, invisibly.
2) Isaiah 7:14 Gospel
Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14 — enjoying the power of the gospel is the answer.
3) Isaiah 40:1-31 Word
It kept coming up. Isaiah chapter 40, verses 1 through 31 — enjoying the power of the Word is the true answer.
4) Restoration
It doesn’t end there. As shown in today’s passage — now it is enjoying the power of restoration.
5) Watchman
Finally, it is enjoying the power of the watchman. This is the true answer.
It was given in advance. Isaiah gave it, and Daniel held onto it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego held onto it. Esther held onto this prophesied covenant. Nehemiah and many others like him held onto it. A few held on, and this light drove out all the darkness. This is the blessing you enjoy at this 237 dedication service. There’s nothing special to do. You only need to believe. Arise and shine the light you have. If I said “make light and shine it,” that would be hard — but the glory of the Lord has already come upon you. Just shine it.
You must confess today. Are you sick in your body? What do you do? God, I am sick but that is all right. I need your power. I will receive this as a message to heal the sick. That is right? You must confess. That is shining the light. How do you shine the light? It is not like flipping a switch. When Joseph was sold into slavery: “God, I am going to do world evangelization.” That is right? That is the time for shining the light. If while going he said: “Oh, I’m going crazy. What do I do?” — he would die on the way. Right? If he was thrown into prison under false accusation: “Why is this happening to me?” — that would mean dying in prison. I met enormous political prisoners there through God’s amazing secret, and I learned politics. That was the road to rising up.
Every time we worship, we must enjoy and shine this light. Prayer is also shining the light, delivering the Word is also shining the light, and evangelism and missions are also shining the light. There is absolutely no reason to be discouraged. I watched my parents suffer and I found the answer that would bring a lifetime of responses. That is right? That is the light. Light. Gospel. Churches everywhere don’t do evangelism. They just fight. They do useless things. They don’t simply refuse to evangelize — they can’t. And so I came to understand: “Ah, that’s right. There’s no way they can.” They don’t know what it means to shine the light. They keep shining out darkness all day. It doesn’t work. You must not do that. Nothing is difficult. If I just keep shining the light He gave, God will do the works. How? God said: “I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the nations.” He said “I, the Lord, declare it” six times. From chapter 2, verses 1 through 9, six times. “I, the Lord, declare it.” That means God will do it. Enjoy this answer. Then I will wrap up in conclusion.
▣ Conclusion_ [Isaiah 60:20-22]
We didn’t read all of it because of time — you were supposed to read through verse 22. Isaiah chapter 60, verses 20 through 22. The small shall become a thousand, and do you look weak? You shall become a strong nation. I, the Lord, at the right time will hasten it.
People keep misunderstanding, but why do you think I sent a music team to the island nation? I told them to go. I said it several times. Go there and actually play with them together. And look at how they read music, what kind of music it is, whether they even have sheet music, confirm it. Try singing together at whatever level they sing. What does that mean? The field 100%. The gospel and the message are already 100% in hand. The field 100% is what they couldn’t see. So then after returning, what must be done? How this should be done — that is what the system, the future 100% means. Then it becomes 300%.
[300%]
It absolutely must be done. Without it you cannot win. Academics 300% — without it you cannot win. If you do it, you win easily. While the multi-ethnic people are at our church, prepare 300%. Prayer 300%. Your work 300%. Evangelism and missions 300%. You must prepare thoroughly and go. Even if you don’t go, if you do this, you can save your nation.
1. Daniel 1:8-9, 6:10-20
Who is this speaking of? Daniel had prepared 300%. In both skill and every aspect of the field. Even when facing death in Daniel chapter 6, he was not shaken at all.
2. Daniel 3:8-24
Daniel chapter 3, verses 8 through 24. The three young adults prepared 300%.
3. Esther 4:1-16
Esther prepared 300%.
So though you may look small, you shall form a thousand; though you may look weak, you shall become a strong nation. Who says so? I, the Lord, at the right time will hasten it. You don’t really understand prayer. But here — the praying deaconesses sitting with us — these people are extraordinary. They are the ones who move the throne. We prayed from the very beginning. When you go to Immanuel Seoul, the senior elders are sitting in a row right up front. All dressed up elegantly, sitting in a line. But other people can’t come in. Only the elders sit in a row like that. It’s magnificent. They are holding things up with prayer like that. Not many people understand that power. Because they don’t know what prayer is. Those who know prayer will find that one day the answer comes and is fulfilled.
So: “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” If it were something we already knew, anyone could do it. “I will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Even this week, I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ that prayer to enjoy and deliver this light continues. Let us pray.
Prayer. May we see the Word of God being fulfilled even this week, may all our prayers be answered, and may we see the doors of evangelism and missions opening. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.