The beginning verse starts with the word nevertheless, strongly suggesting the wisdom of the Book of Mormon’s original chapters that kept these verses in the context of the previous chapter. The last chapter ended with those who did not believe listening to the wrong voices, not being nourished by the word, and seeing only darkness when they looked to heaven. Nevertheless—that important word—signals a shift.
Isaiah had already hinted that the righteous need not fear, but needed to wait upon the Lord. Isaiah now begins to explain the hope at the end of the coming misery. Through Isaiah the Lord declares that the destruction coming upon Judah will be bad, but not to the extent of the judgment upon the ten tribes (represented by the mention of Zebulun and Naphtali).
Returning to the imagery of those who look to the heavens and see darkness, Isaiah declares that there will come a day when they will instead see a great light. Isaiah contrasts the darkness of death with the light of life—but a life that is coming after the destruction.