A New Everything - Isaiah 65:17 and many others

For years, I have intentionally avoided preaching on the subject of Eschatology1 from the pulpit.  The reason for this is because neither Sharon nor Bethany can finger-spell “eschatology” for Bob or Robert.  So it is entirely their fault that you’ve never heard me preach an end-times sermon.

Eschatology is the study of last things, the last days, the end times.  It is the biblical study of how various final events constitute the end of the world as we have known it, and the beginning of the eternal state.  It involves such things as the “Rapture”, “the Great Tribulation” period, and the Millenium.  It deals with two phenomenal events in which all the dead are resurrected, as well as the final judgments of the redeemed and the condemned.  It has to do with the destruction of this world and the creation of a new heavens and a new earth.  Eschatology is the study of how and when all these events come to pass.  It is a huge subject.

Because Eschatology involves things that have not yet taken place, there is a tremendous amount of speculation regarding the nature and the chronological order of these events.  Terms like pre-tribulational, mid-tribulational, and post-tribulational are used to designate the timing of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.  Then you have words like pre-millennial, amillennial, and post-millennial which deal with the nature of Christ’s Kingdom on the earth and when that will take place.

The reason we’re talking about any of this at all is because of our text today, Isaiah 65.  Here in this chapter, and in chapter 66, Isaiah raises the issue of the last days and more specifically, the new heavens and the new earth.  Let’s read together, beginning in Isaiah 65 and verse 17.  God has been speaking of the wickedness of the people of Judah, and in the previous verses of this chapter He tells of the destruction of all but a small remnant of His people.

It is from that group of survivors that a new generation of Jews will be born and they will become His people.  In verse 9, the Lord says, “I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there.” (Isaiah 65:9 ESV).  In verses 13 through 16, He prophesies the future of the present wicked generation and contrasts it with the glorious future of the next generation.  Verse 14 is a summary of that passage: “Behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of heart and shall wail for breaking of spirit.” (Isaiah 65:14 ESV).  Now let’s read verses 17 through 25.

[17] “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
[18] But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.
[19] I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people;
no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
[20] No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not fill out his days,
for the young man shall die a hundred years old,
and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
[21] They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
[22] They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat;
for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be,
and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
[23] They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity,
for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them.
[24] Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
[25] The wolf and the lamb shall graze together;
the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food.
They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 65:17-25 ESV)

In chapter 66 we read these words:

[22] “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain. [23] From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the LORD. (Isaiah 66:22-23 ESV)

The topic I want to address is the new heavens and the new earth.  But before I begin, let me say, just in case I haven’t already made this clear for you, that Eschatology is probably the single most confusing and difficult topics to address in all the Bible.  In spite of the many texts in both the Old and New Testaments that address the events of the end times, it is extremely difficult to put all these things together in a chronological order and remain true to what the Bible actually says.

There are many different views, as we’ve already stated, and for many years I have basically taken the same position on Eschatology as one of my Bible college professors.  On one occasion, he was asked which end times position he held.  His answer was, “I believe the view I heard last.”  That was his way of saying all the different evangelical End Times scenarios have biblical evidence to support them.  But none of them are bullet-proof.  And it is particularly irritating when someone presents their position as though it were infallible.  I believe it is far better to take a more humble approach.

In the introductory notes to the Book of Revelation in Halley’s Bible Handbook we read these words:
“A thing that strikes one who browses around the vast literature that has grown up about the book of Revelation is the UTTER DOGMATISM with which so many put forth their opinions, not as opinions, but in categorical statements , as to the meaning of even the most mysterious passages, as if they know all about it, and their say so settles the matter.  We think a spirit of reverent humility, and openness of mind, would be more becoming in those seeking to interpret a book like this.”2  I agree wholeheartedly.

I will be very honest with you.  I don’t know when Jesus will create the new heavens and the new earth.  I have spent much time reading, studying, and talking with men I respect in this regard.  There are multitudes of books and charts to be had and read.  Yesterday, on my own desk I had a stack of nine books, and in my web browser I had six tabs open as I tried to gather together in some sensible form my own understanding of the last days.  I began putting that time line together and finally decided to change my emphasis for today.  I can’t give you an End Times chart that illustrates how everything will play out in the end.

But I can tell you this: Jesus is going to create a new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells.  Turn with me to 2 Peter 3 please.

[3:1] This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, [2] that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, [3] knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. [4] They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” [5] For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, [6] and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. [7] But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
[8] But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
[11] Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, [12] waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
[13] But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:1-13 ESV)

According to these verses, in spite of those who mock, the Lord Jesus is indeed coming again.  Directly associated with His return is the destruction of heaven and earth as we have known it.  I do not believe this means total annihilation.  This destruction is compared to the destruction of the flood in the days of Noah.  The heavens and the earth were changed drastically, but not removed entirely and replaced with a different planet.  We still live on the same planet as Adam walked on, but seriously remodeled.

It will be similar to this when Jesus returns.  It seems that the stars and other heavenly bodies will dissolve or pass away or disappear (Matthew 24:29), while the earth will be greatly transformed by fire.

[25] Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. [26] They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment.  You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, [27] but you are the same, and your years have no end. (Psalm 102:25-27 ESV)

[6] Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;
but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. (Isaiah 51:6 ESV)

[35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35 ESV)

[18] For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:18 ESV)

But Peter says that according to the promises of God’s word, we wait for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  He is talking about the promise of God to His people in Isaiah 65:

[17] “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17 ESV)

All of this seems fairly straightforward, but the more you read, the more complicated all of it becomes.  We look forward to a new world, and according to Revelation 20, we look forward to a New Jerusalem as well.  But please notice Isaiah 65, and verse 20:

[20] No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.

In the new heavens and earth that Jesus creates, people will still die?  A young man might be 100 years old, but he still dies even though he lives in the new heavens and the new earth?  And there will be sinners there?  Verse 20 has caused me a great deal of trouble for weeks.  I do not know how to understand it.  It seems the Scriptures are speaking of two different “new heavens and new earths”.  The one still experiences sin and death, while the other does not.  Turn with me please to Revelation 21.

[21:1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 ESV)

How do we explain this apparent contradiction?  In Isaiah’s new world, sin and death remain.  In John’s new world, “death shall be no more” and those who dwell there are God’s people and He is their God.  This sounds like a description of Heaven.  How can both be true?

Well, just like everybody else, I have an opinion.  Or maybe a better word would be a theory.  While the destruction of the current world at Christ’s return will be relatively swift as was the destruction of the world in the flood, the creation of the new heavens and earth will be more gradual and take place over time.  It may be that the new heavens and the new earth are established during the reign of the Lord Jesus in the Millennium.  Here’s how I think it may happen, or something relatively close to this:

1.     The Lord returns in His glory at the end of the Great Tribulation.  He grants the church His all-sufficient grace and causes His people to remain faithful and persevere to the end, and all the world witnesses it.  It is for the sake of the elect that He cuts the tribulation of those days short (Matthew 10:22, 24:13, 21-22, 29-31; Mark 13:20; 2 Thess 2:1-3, Rev. 2:10). 
2.    This is the time of the rapture of the church.  The saints are raised from the dead at Christ’s return and are caught up in the clouds with those who are still alive to meet Him in the air (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
3.    Then follows the relatively brief time of God’s wrath and the destruction, but not the annihilation of the world (1 Thess 5:1-11). 
4.    Once the old world is destroyed, then begins the extended period in which Christ begins the fulfilling of His creation of a new heavens and a new earth. (Isaiah 51:6; Mt. 24:29; 2 Peter 3:8-13)
5.    At this time Christ also begins His in-person, present reign over the new earth for 1000 years.  Those particular saints who were beheaded during the Tribulation will be raised specifically to reign with Christ during the millennium (Rev. 20:4)
6.     Several things contribute to the new earth being new besides the re-creation of the physical world:  a) The resurrected Jesus has returned and personally rules over the nations with a rod of iron for 1000 years (Ps 2:9, Rev 2:27, 12:5, 19:15).  b) Satan is bound in chains and is prevented from influencing the world for evil during the entire 1000 years of Jesus’ reign.  c) The nations of the world will be subject to Christ’s righteous rule.  d) During this period people will live extended lives but still eventually die (Isaiah 65:20). It may be that this is the reversal of the effect of the flood.  At that time, the life spans of those who lived immediately after the flood gradually shortened from hundreds of years to an average of 70.  But in the new creation, it is possible that life spans will gradually increase so that eventually it will be considered tragic that a “young” man dies at the age of 100.  By the end of the millennial age, people may be living on the earth for several hundreds of years.  [Obviously this would not include those believers who have been resurrected at the return of Christ who will never die, but will live with Him throughout the entire millennial period.]
7.     At the end of the Millennium, Satan is loosed from his chains.  The nations are deceived by him, the battle of Armageddon takes place and all the armies of the world that surround Jerusalem to overthrow the King of Glory are instantaneously defeated and destroyed by fire from Heaven (Rev 20:7-10).
8.     After this, the final resurrection will then take place and Jesus will sit in final judgment over all the living and the dead in the entire world and throughout the history of the world (Rev 20:11-15).
9.     Death, Satan, the demons, and all the unregenerate will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15, Matthew 25:31-46).
10.     Then at last, the New Jerusalem will descend from Heaven, and the Lord Jesus completes His work of re-creating and establishing the New Heavens and the New Earth in which none but the righteous dwell forever (Revelation 21), and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17 ESV)

I am certain that some of you can shoot holes through this theory.  I do not claim infallibility in this at all.  In fact, I am certain I have not discovered the biblically inerrant explanation of the last days scenario and I am more than happy to be shown my errors from Scripture.  Just not all of them at once, please.

But one thing is absolutely certain.  Regardless of how it will happen, or in what time frame it may take place, or whether it will be a pre-mill, or post-mill, or trans-mill, or pan-mill, or cotton-mill, or tread-mill, or whatever-mill event, we know without doubt that our good Master and Lord has gone to prepare a place for us.  On the night of His betrayal, after Jesus told Peter he would deny that he even knew Jesus three times before dawn, the Lord comforted Peter and the rest of the disciples with these precious words:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3 ESV)

Beloved, I believe that physical place Jesus has been preparing for us for the last 2000 years is the New Jerusalem.  And that celestial city will be placed on a new earth where only the righteous live.  Peter tells us the return of Christ is what we wait for.  And when He comes, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

[21:1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” [5] And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Rev. 21:1-5a ESV)

Heaven and earth will be new.  You and I will be new.  The city which Christ has prepared for us will be new.  All things will be new.  And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.  That, beloved, is a picture of the eternity for which the Lord Jesus has saved us.  So our constant prayer should be just four simple words: “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.”  Amen.
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1. eschatology - 1844, from Gk. eskhatos  "last, furthest, remote" (from ex  "out of") + -logia  "a speaking" (in a certain manner). In theology, the study of the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, hell. Related: Eschatological ; eschatologically.  "eschatology." Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. 02 Apr. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eschatology>.
2. Halley, Henry H.  Bible Handbook 1955, p. 609.