No lion shall be there, nor shall any mischievous beast go up by it, nor be found there: but they shall walk there that shall be delivered.
לֹא־יִהְיֶ֨ה שָׁ֜ם אַרְיֵ֗ה וּפְרִ֤יץ חַיּוֹת֙ בַּֽל־יַעֲלֶ֔נָּה לֹ֥א תִמָּצֵ֖א שָׁ֑ם וְהָלְכ֖וּ גְּאוּלִֽים׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Anyone who desires to be seen as a lion seeks for his servants to be viewed as wicked creatures. However, no matter how much effort they invest, they cannot harm the genuine followers of Christ. Those who have tread the paths of the unrighteous, rescued and gathered by the Lord, redeemed through His precious blood, will continue to walk in His ways. While glimpses of this were evident during the return from exile, its complete realization occurs with the arrival of Christ.
In earlier times, they were misled, worshipping wood and stone while walking the paths of deceit. However, they will now come to recognize the straight and holy way that leads to a life of righteousness. Freed from the influence of the adversary, they will live a life filled with praise, as indicated by the declaration, 'There shall not be a lion, nor any other of the evil beasts in this pure way.' In the past, the author of sin, along with wicked spirits, assailed the people of the earth with ferocity. Yet in Christ, he was stripped of his dominion, cast out from among the faithful, and rendered powerless over them.
Those redeemed by Christ and united in belief will therefore walk this pure path, departing from their former ways to arrive at Zion, which signifies the Church, experiencing unending joy both here on earth and in the heavenly realm. They will extol the God who has delivered them, receiving joy, happiness, and every form of delight in Christ, with no trace of sorrow or mourning. For those who are called to such glorious aspirations, destined as future heirs of everlasting life, who are to be enriched with the treasures of the highest glory, and who anticipate being enthroned with Christ Himself: what grief will they endure, or what lamentation will they encounter, when all the forces of evil are vanquished and obliterated by the God of all creation? Rather, they will experience complete joy, sharing in every good gift.
Those who are redeemed will walk in it. The Gentiles from various nations who have been saved by the Lord will come back to worship and express gratitude to God for the salvation and grace they have received.
The focus is on the external safety of the Church. The believers will follow the journey of devotion and holiness within a tranquil and serene existence, unharmed by the assaults of adversaries. The primary adversary is Satan, who hunts his victims with the intensity of a lion, while other foes of Christianity fiercely oppose the Church as agents of the devil. These agents will one day become followers of Christ and transform from fierce predators into gentle lambs. The Church will find absolute safety, and those who have been saved by Christ will traverse the path of salvation without obstruction.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS