Verse 8 - A new heaven and a new earth: Is 65:17-25

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness.” (Isaiah 65:17-18)

In the closing chapters of the Bible, Jesus declares of Himself, “Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5 NKJV) Presently, a lot of this work is being done in our hearts. Jesus is working in us to make us new in spirit and souls, but this is not all that Jesus is making new. One day He will make us new in our bodies; our bodies will be transfigured as we are ruptured to meet Him in the air. Jesus’ work of making new is not limited to us however, one day He will make all things new. One day everything of this present creation will be done away with and God will create in its place a new heavens and earth. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10) Peter is not speaking figuratively, nor is he merely waxing poetic, he is speaking a truth that will literally come to pass. One day God will literally destroy the present heavens and earth and literally create a new heaven and a new earth. A simple search of the scriptures would reveal that this truth of the destruction of this world and the creating of a new one is consistent through out both the old and new testament. What sort of new world will this be?

“There will no longer be heard in her the voice of weeping and the sound of crying.” (Isaiah 65:19) In God’s new creation there will be no sorrow or sadness; there will be no need for tears. It will not only be a place where God’s people rejoice, but a place to make glad the heart of God. “I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people.” (Isaiah 65:19)

“They will build houses and inhabit them; they will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They will not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity.” (Isaiah 65:21, 23) Our present world is cursed with futility. We labor and work, but to what end? We make our plans for the future but far too often the future does not turn out as we imagined and our plans are frustrated and fail. In God’s new world our labors will not be in vain and the work of our hands will be for eternity.

“It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) God will dwell with His people in the His new heaven and earth. God will no longer be distant, seated in heaven. Rather God will dwell in the midst of His people and they will behold His beauty and hear His voice. We will no longer need to seek for God for He will always be with us. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” (Revelation 21:3)

“The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent's food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain.” (Isaiah 65:25) Our world is wearing old under the weight of its sins. There are many adjectives that could be used to describe our world but “upright” and “righteous” would not be among them. We long for a world free from sin and, in God’s new world, this is what we will find. All that pains us about this world will be done away with and all that is good will be found. “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)

How blessed they will be whom God counts worthy to inherit His new creation!

David Robison