Advent Season

I have been reading about Advent. Advent means "to come". Yesterday we talked about reaching our destination. Being on the right road.

Here are some verses from Isaiah. Chapter 1:27 NASB

"Zion will be redeemed with justice and her repentant ones with righteousness."

"Repentant ones" can mean penitent or returnees. A returnee is someone who is returning to a place. Redemption or to redeem means to "buy back". To make a payment. But how will this redemption take place? With justice and with righteousness. Look now at Isaiah chapter 35 NLT which tells about the future restoration of Zion.
Hope for Restoration

1 Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.

2 Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God.

3 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.

4 Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”
5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.

6 The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.

7 The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.
8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.

9 Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it.

10 Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness."

Who do you think the He is in verse 4 and 5? He is coming to save His people. To redeem by His own righteousness. He will be someone who is just. We have a hint.. At His advent, He will do these things: He gives sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, the ability to walk and leap like a deer to the lame, and voice to express great joy to those who are mute.

These will travel on the Highway of Holiness. They are traveling to Zion, the place of God's presence. They will reach the right destination by being on the right road, the road that is righteous and morally perfect and pure. The One who comes to redeem will provide this Way.
Tomorrow we will identify the One who Comes to Redeem His people.