The wilderness and the solitary place, the desert and the steppe, SHALL BE GLAD FOR THEM, that is, what formerly was a moral wilderness would he totally changed; AND THE DESERT SHALL REJOICE AND BLOSSOM AS THE ROSE, the Oriental narcissus, or crocus, which rapidly covers the waste places of the step... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JOYFUL STATE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM. We have, in this chapter, a beautiful and majestic picture of the flourishing condition of Christ's kingdom, of the glorious future awaiting those who belong to the mountain of Zion, the redeemed of the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing, in an ecstasy of delight over the blessings of the Lord; THE GLORY OF LEBANON, with its mighty forests, SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO IT, THE EXCELLENCY OF CARMEL, the mountain famed for its beauty, AND SHARON, the valley south of Carmel, fame... [ Continue Reading ]
Strengthen ye the weak hands, the reference being to the firm grasp with which the believers should hold to the hope of their calling, AND CONFIRM THE FEEBLE KNEES, so that they will stand upright, keeping their ground against all enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, agitated and terrified by the dangers besetting them on every hand, BE STRONG, FEAR NOT; BEHOLD, YOUR GOD WILL COME WITH VENGEANCE, to revenge His children upon their enemies, EVEN GOD WITH A RECOMPENSE, to punish every one according to his deserts; HE WILL C... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the eyes of the blind, said of the spiritual blindness of natural man, SHALL BE OPENED, to see the beauty of the Savior, AND THE EARS OF THE DEAF SHALL BE UNSTOPPED, so that those who have never understood the sweet message of salvation will heed and believe it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then shall the lame man, who by reason of his self-righteousness was unable to walk the way of God's commandments, LEAP AS AN HART, in eager willingness to do the Lord's bidding, AND THE TONGUE OF THE DUMB, of him who formerly knew nothing of the Gospel and therefore confessed nothing, SING, in hymn... [ Continue Reading ]
And the parched ground shall become a pool, the mirage shall become a real lake, that is, the civic righteousness of men, their acts and works, which now only seem good, will then truly be good because flowing from the motive of faith in Christ, AND THE THIRSTY LAND SPRINGS OF WATER, made fruitful b... [ Continue Reading ]
And an highway shall be there and a way, a causeway such as was used by armies, the valleys being filled up and all obstructions removed, AND IT SHALL BE CALLED THE WAY OF HOLINESS, the holy way, where the saints of the Lord were found; THE UNCLEAN SHALL NOT PASS OVER IT, only those consecrated by t... [ Continue Reading ]
No lion shall be there, the lion being named as one of the fiercest representatives of the animal world, NOR ANY RAVENOUS BEAST SHALL GO UP THEREON; IT SHALL NOT BE FOUND THERE, every one who walks on this way being under the special protection of God; BUT THE REDEEMED SHALL WALK THERE, those who ha... [ Continue Reading ]
And the ransomed of the Lord, those whom the Messiah has delivered from the natural slavery of sin and from the consequent condemnation of death, SHALL RETURN AND COME TO ZION WITH SONGS AND EVERLASTING JOY UPON THEIR HEADS, this joy being visible in their entire aspect, especially in the appearance... [ Continue Reading ]