“You who bring good news to Zion go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:9
In the ancient world, when a king or dignitary visited a country, it was customary to prepare for their visit. Streets would be adorned, a red carpet would be rolled out, and the arrival of the distinguished monarch would be announced with the sound of a trumpet. This would often be accompanied by the proclamation: “Here he comes. 
Get the streets ready; prepare the way.” This practice led to the concept of heralding, which means to proclaim, announce, or signal the arrival of someone or something significant. Heralding involves acting as a messenger or 
forerunner, often carrying an important message or preparing the way for an event or an important person.
In our text, Isaiah addresses the heralds of God’s good news, identifying them as the bearers of glad tidings to Zion and Jerusalem (Isaiah 40:9). These heralds have been entrusted with a sacred mission to announce the coming of God’s presence and His redemptive work. Drawing from Isaiah’s exhortation, our theme—Heralding the Coming of the Restorer—encourages us, as followers of Christ, to proclaim His imminent Second Coming.
In the Gospel accounts John the Baptist exemplifies the role of a herald in the New Testament. When questioned about his identity, he humbly denied being the Messiah, declaring instead that he was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” (John 1:23). John’s life and ministry were focused on pointing 
people to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Just as John the Baptist called people to repentance and prepared the way for the Lord’s first advent (Mark 1:2-3), believers, who are today’s heralds, must echo that call, pointing people to Jesus and urging readiness for His return. 
Scripture often highlights the importance of preparing for Christ’s second coming and emphasises the need to proclaim this truth. The theme of restoration is central to the Advent season. Jesus, the Restorer, not only reconciles us to God but also promises to renew and restore all creation. Revelation 21:5 states, “Behold, I am 
making all things new.” This promise offers us hope amid the world’s brokenness and inspires us to announce His return with urgency and joy. Verses like Matthew 24:14, where Jesus says, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come,” highlight the essential role of heralds in God’s plan. 
“Heralding the Coming of the Restorer” is a call to action: Make His paths straight. The paths have been overgrown, and they are winding around obstacles. We must remove the barriers, remove the bends and curves, and make this path straight. As we hear in the “Messiah” from Handel: “Every valley shall be exalted, every mountain and hill 
brought low, the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
This is not a description of actual topographical changes that were supposed to take place on the roads of Palestine. This is the prophetic Word, delivered in poetic imagery, talking about what must happen to people as God comes to them. The proud and the arrogant who have exalted themselves and appear as high mountains must 
be brought low. Those who have been humiliated and those who have been oppressed must be lifted. All the thorns and rocks and stones and obstacles that fill our sinful hearts of stone must be changed. The crooked places must 
be made straight, and the rough places must be made smooth because the Restorer is here, and the world is not ready. Then, all flesh will see the manifestation of the salvation of God.
The life of a herald is not without challenges. John the Baptist faced opposition and persecution, yet he remained steadfast. Isaiah emphasises the courage required for this task: “Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be 
afraid.” Heralding involves fearless proclamation, a readiness to declare the message despite opposition or indifference. In ancient times, heralds often stood on elevated positions -city gates, hills, or public squares - so their voices could reach the masses. The call to “go up on a high mountain” symbolises the visibility and prominence of the herald’s mission, ensuring that the message reaches every ear. 
Today, as heralds of Christ’s return, we must demonstrate the same boldness. The distractions, scepticism, and hostility of the world should not discourage us, for we are called to proclaim the truth of God’s kingdom with clarity, urgency, and confidence. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, describes Christians as stewards of the mysteries of God, 
stressing the need for faithfulness in our mission. As heralds, we are entrusted with the gospel and the responsibility to proclaim it boldly. Our task is to warn, comfort, and encourage people to be ready for the return of Christ, the Restorer of all things. 
As we continue this year’s Advent season, let us fully embrace our calling as messengers of Christ. Following the examples of Isaiah, John the Baptist, and the apostles, we are tasked with preparing the way for the Lord by sharing His message of restoration and hope. With a sincere sense of urgency and zeal, let us encourage others to reflect on their hearts, turn away from their waywardness, and align their lives with the coming kingdom of God. Although we may face rejection or indifference, we must persevere, knowing that our labour in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
I earnestly pray that our mouths will be filled with the message of salvation, that our lives will serve as a strong testimony to the coming King, and that we will inspire others to eagerly anticipate His return with joy and readiness.
Have a blessed week!