Isaiah 34-39

This passage made me think about death for the redeemed. I've always wondered what it would be like right after we die and leave the world. This chapter is every writer's dream - a visual picture.

"The desert and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;

it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

they will see the glory of the LORD,

the splendor of our God.

In that part I can imagine a desert turning into to a green valley.

Strengthen the feeble hands,

steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,

'Be strong, do not fear;

your God will come,

he will come with vengeance;

with divine retribution

he will come to save you.'

"Your God will come". He says He will - we just have to wait.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened

and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer,

and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness

and streams in the desert.
The burning sand will become a pool,

the thirsty ground bubbling springs.

In the haunts where jackals once lay,

grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness.

The unclean will not journey on it;

it will be for those who walk in that Way;

wicked fools will not go about on it.

No lion will be there,

nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,
and the ransomed of the LORD will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

That was a description of heaven! Gladness and joy will overtake us - no bad ever... at all. No ferocious beasts. And that highway is just for God's people - just for us.