Isaiah 52:9-12

The verse containing the word "gather" is verse 12. I decided to begin with verse 9 and focus on the content through verse 12.

"Break forth into joy, sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord has comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem." (Isaiah 52:9)

Joy comes after the devastation of Jerusalem. Unfortunately, it almost seems impossible for man to seek for God with all his heart without suffering. Suffering tends to bring into focus our powerlessness and reliance on the mercy of God. Jeremiah taught the simple but powerful principle associated with finding God in mortality:

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
(Jeremiah 29:13)

Adversity is often the antidote for disbelief and the Jews in Jerusalem have become some of the least believing of all people. How could they suffer as much as they have still claiming their title as the "chosen" people. How could Israel (all tribes) been scattered and suffered the loss of their lands of inheritance. This people feel abandoned by God and are left to wonder if He will ever remember them. Isaiah offers words of encouragement. The day will come when those who survive the onslaught of devastation that lays waste to Jerusalem will yet witness God's power and deliverance.

There is more involved in this redemption than just deliverance from their enemies. The Lord promises to comfort them. The comfort Christ offers is the same comfort He offered His disciples prior to His crucifixion:

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:16-17)

When the Lord "comforts" those who inhabit the "waste places" it implies covenant renewal because the gift of the Holy Ghost is only granted to those who are baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ. Covenant renewal brings covenant blessings including divine intervention and deliverance. The companionship of the Holy Ghost also restores revelation to the covenant people of God:

"For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:5)

In addition to the promise of the Holy Ghost, the Savior promised another form of comfort to His covenant people:

"I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you." (John 14:18)

Fulfillment of this promise is alluded to in verse 8 of Isaiah 52:

"Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." (Isaiah 52:8)

The Jews of Jerusalem will be among the other tribes of Israel blessed with the privilege of seeing "eye to eye" the Savior and join in the chorus of the song of "Redeeming Love" spoken of by Alma. (Alma 5:26)

All of this occurs when the Lord reclaims and restores Israel to their covenants and inheritance, after the "arm of the Lord" is revealed.