The Way of Holiness Is. 35:8 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
The Way of Holiness concerns a highway on which the redeemed will walk after the Lord returns. It won’t be for the unclean, the wayfaring man, the lion or the ravenous beast. It will be a way for the ransomed to return to Zion. They will be filled with songs of joy and gladness and their sorrow and sighing shall flee away. That is the doctrinal application of this passage.
When I imagine what it will be like for the ransomed Jews to return along this highway of holiness, unmolested by any evil thing, I envision people who have survived the awful tribulation waking in security and becoming increasingly joyful the closer they get to Zion. The reality of their salvation begins to settle into their hearts and minds as they approach their land, never more to be dispersed by an enemy.
There is a beautiful spiritual application to this passage, as well. The spiritual application concerns us and our church. Our church ought to be a way of holiness for those who have been saved from the awful pit of sin in the world. It is the road upon which we travel as we draw ever closer to heaven.
In church, as on the way of holiness, I see the redeemed:
Separate from the unclean world – “the unclean shall not pass over it” – 2 Cor 6:14-18
Safely enjoy fellowship together – “wayfaring men shall not err therein” – Mk 10:14
Shelter from the devil – “no lion” – Jn 10:1-11
Scatter away the wolves – “nor any ravenous beast” – Acts 20:28-31
Set their sights on heaven – “the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion” – Tit 2:13
Sing songs of joy and gladness – “songs and… joy and gladness” – Col3:16
Conclusion: Church hasn’t always been like this. The world has crept in, evil men have molested sheep, the devil has devoured some, grievous wolves have entered in, the saints have quit looking for the Lord’s return and their flight to heaven, and sorrow and sighing have discouraged the folks. We cannot let this happen here. We must always walk in the way of holiness.