251. Joy and Gladness
Jeremiah 33:11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.
When the Jews return from Exile and captivity in Babylon there will be joy and gladness and praise to the Lord. This is because the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever. The prophecy was fulfilled when Cyrus decreed that the Jews were allowed to return to their Homeland. The captivity will end.
The extended promise is for all believers in Christ who will be freed from captivity to Sin, Death and Devil. All of us are liberated from such bondage by the forgiveness of sins earned by Jesus. Jesus takes us out from under slavery, bondage and captivity to the Enemies. In Adam we surrendered our freedom and gave up control when Adam (and we) sinned against God. In Christ we are freed, and we willingly surrender control to this benevolent lord. In Christ we are returned to the Paradise we once enjoyed in Adam before he and we fell. The “Land” we enjoyed in Adam has been restored when Jesus announced the Kingdom of God.
The promise for those entering into the spiritual Kingdom by repentance and faith and being born from above by water and Spirit is joy and gladness. When we have returned Home and entered the Kingdom we will hear and experience the voice of celebration, similar to the joyous celebrations of a wedding feast. For many people, the happiest day of their life was their wedding day (or at least, you had better tell your spouse that). For all Christians, the happiest day of rejoicing was the day of entering the Kingdom, whether by Baptism or a subsequent conversion experience. The next time the voice of joy will be heard will be the day we celebrate the Wedding Feast of the Lamb in His Kingdom. Then, captivity is over and we are in our Paradise Home forever.
Meanwhile, the reality of joy and gladness enters our lives daily when we hear again the sweet gospel of Jesus Christ. Every time we repent and believe we enter into the spiritual eternal life, the kingdom of God within, free from spiritual captivity. Every day is a happy day. Like the Prodigal, we return home and have a party. This is “good news of great joy.” This is the realization of “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Every day can be a day of joyous and glad celebration.