Isaiah 35: The Way of Holiness and Restoration

Isaiah 35

1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35 provides a glorious prophetic description of the "way of holiness" and the future restoration of the earth to its Edenic stateAMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1+1. This chapter serves as a beautiful promise that the wilderness of this world will one day be transformed into a joyful paradise where the redeemed will dwell in perfect safety and healthAMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1+1.

The Transformation of the Earth

The prophecy begins by describing a complete environmental renewal where the desert and solitary places shall be glad and blossom as the rose Isaiah 35:1.

• Restoration of Beauty: The parched ground is destined to become a pool, and thirsty lands will turn into springs of water Isaiah 35:7AMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1.

• Replacement of the Curse: In the very habitations where dragons once lay, there shall instead be grass with reeds and rushes Isaiah 35:7AMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1.

• Removal of Dangers: No lions or ravenous beasts will be found in this restored land, ensuring the absolute safety of those who walk there Isaiah 35:9AMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1.

The Healing of Humanity

Isaiah 35 foretells a time of miraculous physical and spiritual restoration for God's peopleAMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1.

• Physical Perfection: The eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, and the lame man shall leap like a deer Isaiah 35:5-6AMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1.

• Joyful Worship: The tongue of the dumb will sing for joy as they witness the glory of the Lord and the excellency of our God Isaiah 35:2, 6AMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1.

• End of Suffering: Everlasting joy will be upon the heads of the ransomed, and all sorrow and sighing will flee away forever Isaiah 35:10AMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1+1.

The Way of Holiness

A central theme of this chapter is the "highway" called the "way of holiness," which represents the path of life made plain by the Word of God Isaiah 35:811LtMs, Ms 12b, 1896, par. 35+1.

• Plainness of Truth: This path is so clear that "wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein," meaning the essential truths of salvation are accessible to all who inquire Isaiah 35:811LtMs, Ms 12b, 1896, par. 35+1.

• Purity of the Travelers: The unclean are not permitted to pass over it; it is reserved specifically for the redeemed and the ransomed of the Lord Isaiah 35:8-9AMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1.

• Requirement of Obedience: Walking this way involves being controlled by God's Word in every act of life and keeping His commandments1888 1686.2+2.

Connection to the New Earth

While some may look for a temporal fulfillment, the true realization of these promises occurs in the "new heavens and a new earth" 2 Peter 3:13ARSH December 27, 1853, page 195.5+1.

• Paradise Restored: The scenes described by Isaiah are a glimpse into the final restitution of all things, where the earth is freed from every vestige of the curse Acts 3:21ARSH October 17, 1854, page 76.9+1.

• Eternal Rest: Those who travel this way of holiness will enter the New Jerusalem, having right to the tree of life and eternal residence in the city of God Revelation 22:14DAR1909 748.3+1.

• The Ultimate Goal: This prophecy encourages the weak and fearful to be strong, for it points to the second coming of Christ when He will come with a recompense to save His people Isaiah 35:3-4AMS June 14, 1894, page 188.1.