How does Isaiah 35:10 connect with Revelation 21:4 about sorrow and sighing? The Promise in Isaiah 35:10 “And the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.” • Context: Isaiah foresees the highway of holiness leading God’s people out of exile into restored Zion. • Key phrases: “everlasting joy,” “joy and gladness,” “sorrow and sighing will flee.” • Result: A literal, future scene in which God’s redeemed experience unbroken happiness in His presence. The Fulfillment Echoed in Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” • Context: The new heaven and new earth after final judgment. • Key phrases: “no more… mourning or crying or pain,” “former things have passed away.” • Result: The same complete removal of sorrow, now applied universally to all who dwell in the New Jerusalem. Shared Threads Between the Two Passages • Same Author behind both promises—God’s unchanging character. • Redeemed people gathered: Isaiah calls them “the redeemed of the LORD”; Revelation shows them as those whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 21:27). • Location of joy: Isaiah’s Zion; Revelation’s New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2), the perfected Zion. • Permanent joy: “everlasting joy” (Isaiah 35:10) parallels “no more… pain” (Revelation 21:4). • End of sorrow: “sorrow and sighing will flee” becomes “wipe away every tear.” • Creation restored: Isaiah’s blooming wilderness (Isaiah 35:1–2) aligns with Revelation’s new creation where “the former heavens and earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1). • Divine presence: Isaiah 35 celebrates God coming to save (Isaiah 35:4); Revelation 21 highlights God dwelling with His people (Revelation 21:3). Additional Scriptural Echoes • Psalm 16:11 — “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” • Romans 8:21 — Creation “will be set free from its bondage to decay.” • Revelation 7:17 — “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” • 2 Corinthians 5:2–5 — Longing to be “clothed” with immortal life, guaranteed by the Spirit. Why This Connection Matters Today • Certainty: The Old Testament promise and New Testament climax form one seamless, trustworthy revelation. • Hope: Present grief is temporary; everlasting joy is coming (2 Corinthians 4:17). • Perspective: Life’s sorrows are measured against God’s guaranteed future, empowering steadfast faith and joyful anticipation (1 Peter 1:6–9). |
    |