xxxv. 10. _And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, &c._
"Zion," literally speaking, was the proper name of the city where
David dwelt (2 Sam. v. 7). But the name was also given to the ancient
Jewish polity in church and state (Ps. cii. 13, 16), to the Gospel
Church, with all the spiritual blessings of the Christian
dispensation (Isa. xxviii. 16; 1 Pet. ii. 6, 7); and also to the
Church in glory, or the heavenly state of final and complete
happiness with God and Christ for ever (Heb. xii. 22, &c.) We may
therefore regard this text as revealing _the general features of the
happiness of heaven._
+I. To whom does the hope of heaven belong?+ To "the ransomed of the
Lord," whom He has delivered from bondage and is bringing back from
exile (H. E. I. 2730, 2829-2832).
+II. How do those who attain to heaven come there?+ Triumphantly,
"with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads." This is said
perhaps with allusion to the ovations of victorious chiefs, or to
troops coming home from hard-fought fields and the privations even of
a successful campaign, crowned with garlands and waving palms,
singing some martial air, and approaching their homes and families
with shouts of gratitude.
+III. What do the redeemed realise when they reach heaven?+ "They
shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee
away." In heaven--1. There will be _an entire cessation of every
occasion of grief_ (H. E. I. 1629; P. D. 1753, 1767). 2. _There will
no longer be any possibility of falling._ What a blessed peace will
spring from this fact! In this world the sincerest believers, like
pilots steering into port through narrow and winding channels beset
with sunken rocks and hidden shoals, must work out daily their own
salvation with fear and trembling (1 Cor. ix. 27). But in heaven the
spirits of the just are "made perfect," and, like God Himself,
"cannot be tempted of evil." 3. _We shall meet again with our
long-lost loved ones, never more to part_ (Rev. vii. 15-17; P. D.
2996-2998). 4. _The companionship of saints and angels._ The best and
purest friendships here are often marred by the blots and blemishes
of good men; but there will be no jarring in the exalted fellowships
of heaven. 5. _The possession of Christ and the beatific vision of
God for ever_ (1 Pet. i. 8; Isa. xxxiii. 7).--_R. Bingham, M.A.:
Sermons,_ pp. 128-149.