The Ransomed will Return

​Isaiah 35:10 ~ “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
 
My dear friends, the ransomed of the LORD shall return! Let this sink into your heart that it should swell with the everlasting joy of eternal life. Many people hope in such temporary things, watching as passing moments become memories. For all the joy we have with those things we remember, let us understand that, like the wake of a great ship, our memories are behind us. But for those who belong to the LORD, there are promises ahead—great and lasting promises that will never spoil or fade. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.’” Beyond any earthly happiness the Christian will have a lasting, heavenly joy.
 
And we begin with the opening statement of our text today that this is for, “the ransomed of the LORD.” Held in slavery to sin, under the dominion of the evil one, all mankind is bound over for eternal judgment by God. Jesus our LORD said in John 8:34, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” To be redeemed, a price had to be paid. And Jesus, our LORD, paid the full price to ransom all who believe from death unto everlasting life. Jesus said in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” These are the ones who will return. It is only the ransomed of the LORD. And, if you are reading this and have not yet come to believe on the LORD Jesus for the payment of your sins, know that if you trust in Him, the ransom He paid will be more than sufficient for you as well.
 
But to where will the ransomed of the LORD return? We continue as we gaze upon the heavenly home of the redeemed, for they shall return, “and come to Zion with singing.” Zion—that heavenly home—the place where God will forever be with His people is the place where the ransomed of the LORD shall return. Hebrews 12:22 declares, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering.” How could we not come there with singing? It will be the place where we shall walk with angels and dwell with God. Even as exiled Israel returned from captivity, so all who belong to Christ shall be home. Psalm 126:1-3 gives us an illumination to this, “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”
 
Now let us consider the reasons we have for such unencumbered singing. We see the end of our text three things, “everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” First, like a crown upon our heads is the everlasting joy. It is not a temporary happiness, solely built upon shifting circumstances and liable to change without warning. This is an everlasting joy—an eternal delight and satisfaction that causes us to sing. Second, the ransomed shall obtain gladness and joy. To “obtain” can also mean to “overtake” and gives us an image of running it down and taking hold of it. Joy and gladness will no longer elude the redeemed, but will be a constant condition experienced by God’s people. Third, sorrow and sighing will depart forever. To “flee” is to escape, and that is what will happen to all that which would cause the redeemed to feel distress. Despair cannot remain in the presence of the LORD who gives us His joy. Revelation 21:4 proclaims, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  
 
This is the future hope for the ransomed of the LORD. And, beloved, it will not be taken away. God has promised and His word is true. Let us, even now, rejoice in hope and wait upon the LORD to deliver us to His eternal home.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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