Isaiah 35
SIBIsaiah 35:1-4
These fearful judgments shall issue in the great comfort of the church. Multitudes of barren, destitute, bewildered, and 3 ungodly sinners, shall be converted to Christ; and, by beholding his glories revealed in the gospel, shall abound in comfort, holiness, and virtue. The most weak and timorous shall be strengthened and encouraged by the views of their incarnate God and all-conquering and saving Redeemer
Isaiah 35:5-7
While multitudes of benevolent miracles, on the bodies of men, are wrought by Jesus Christ and his apostles, multitudes of sinners shall be savingly enlightened, healed, strengthened, and comforted: and, by the influence of the preached gospel, and the Spirit of God poured forth upon them, shall vast numbers of saints, and of good works, be found in places which had been the most noted habitations of wickedness and devils
Isaiah 35:8-10
Jesus Christ, as the divinely appointed mean of salvation and holiness, and of all our access to God, shall be exhibited in the gospel; in whom as their way, not the unclean and obstinate sinners, but justified and regenerated men, however weak, shall walk, without erring from it. None can walk therein while under the reign of their unruly and mischievous lusts; nor can earth or hell hurt those redeemed ones who walk in it: but, in attending Christ’s ordinances, they shall at last arrive at the complete and everlasting happiness of the heavenly state
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXV.—God can quickly make the most amazing changes on countries and nations, either in mercy or in judgment. Glorious things are said of our New Testament church, especially in her apostolical and millennial periods. And her extent, comfort, light, life, holiness, and safety, inconceivably exceeds that of the Old. Believing views of Jesus Christ’s person and fulness effectually quicken, fructify, and comfort, the heart. And an assured faith of his approach is sufficient to silence every fear and doubt. How sovereign are God’s bestowals of his word and Spirit! and how effectual for the illumination, quickening, encouragement, strengthening, and sanctification, of men! The grace of the gospel teaches men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Unspeakable is the safety, and transcendent the happiness, of ransomed men. 4 Certainly and quickly that holiness which is now begun in them is graciously rewarded, and their sanctified sorrows are balanced with the everlasting joys of the Lord