The Coming Glory

The Glory of Zion

Pastor E. Keith Hassell

Foundation Scripture:  Isaiah 35:1-10

I.                   God is preparing His people to walk in His glory

A.               God will judge the nations

B.                God’s judgment begins in His house with His people

1.          1 Peter 4:17-18 “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’”

2.          Hebrews 12:3-11 God chastens His children so that they might become partakers of His holiness

C.               The difference between God’s judgment and His chastening is that judgment finalizes the condemnation while chastening corrects error so that, if heeded, glory rather than judgment will take place

D.               The chastening of our Heavenly Father is intended to bring us to glory

E.                This glory is already prepared for those who will walk in it

CHARACTERISTICS OF ZION (Isaiah 35)

I.                   Restored Glory

A.               According to Hebrews 12:22-24, Zion is a New Covenant reality

B.                The wilderness and wasteland shall be glad

C.               The desert shall rejoice and blossom abundantly as the rose with rejoicing and singing

D.               Glory shall be given to it

E.                Others will see the glory and excellence of our God

II.                Edifying Relationships (Verses 3-4)

A.               Let us strengthen the weak (sinking) hands (work)

B.                Let us make firm the feeble (stumbling) knees (walk)

C.               Say to those who are fearful, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance and with recompense. He will come and save you!”

III.             Healing (Verse 5-6)

A.               The eyes of the blind shall be opened

B.                The ears of the deaf shall be unstopped

C.               The lame shall leap like a deer

D.               The tongue of the dumb shall sing

IV.            New Life (Verse 6-7)

A.               The waters shall burst forth in the wilderness

B.                The streams will flow in the desert

C.               The parched ground shall become a pool

D.               The thirsty land will have springs of water

E.                In the habitation of jackals (scavengers) where each lay, there shall be grass with reeds and rushes

V.               Holiness (Verse 8-9)

A.               A Highway of Holiness shall be there

B.                No unclean person will pass over

C.               Even the fool who walks this road will not go astray

D.               No lion (predator) shall be there

E.                No ravenous beast (wolves) shall be found there

VI.            Redemption (Salvation) (Verse 9)

A.               The redeemed shall walk there

VII.         Return of Backsliders (Verse 10)

A.               The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come with singing

VIII.      Everlasting Joy (Verse 10)

A.               Everlasting joy will be on their heads

B.                They shall obtain joy and gladness

IX.            Comfort (Verse 10)

A.               Sorrow and sighing shall flee away

B.                The pain and sorrow of the journey will be forgotten in light of the glory that shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18)