In this poetic passage Isaiah points to the promised future that was inaugurated by the first coming of Jesus Christ and will be fully consummated at His second coming. Isaiah contrasts the suffering of the present age with the spiritual well-being and physical healing and wholeness in the world to come, which was demonstrated repeatedly in Jesus' own ministry and will be fully realized in the resurrection bodies of God's people when Christ returns. God's pilgrim people are on a journey to their eternal home following the metaphorical highway named Holiness Way:
"And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness...It shall belong to those who walk on the way" (vs 35:8). This highway is clearly marked and no danger lies along the way because it is the way the redeemed of the Lord travel to enter into His eternal salvation:
"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (vs. 10; this verse is also quoted in Isaiah 51:11). As God's people travel through this life and when they arrive at their eternal destination they do so with joy and gladness because it is the place they will see God and be with Him in His glory and majesty (vs 2).
