February 23
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind,” Isaiah 65:17.
Four times in Holy Scripture there is a reference to a “new heaven and a new earth.” In Isaiah 66:22, the prophet repeats what he recorded in chapter 65 above: “‘The new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,’ says the Lord,” Isaiah 66:22.
The apostle Peter also wrote about a new heaven and a new earth. Peter wrote about how the earth was destroyed in Noah’s day by the great flood. He wrote, “The world that then existed perished, being flooded with water,” 2 Peter 3:6. Then Peter proceeds to speak of what will happen on Judgment Day when Jesus comes again to judge the living and the dead: “The heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men . . . The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells,” 2 Peter 3:7, 10-13.
In the Book of Revelation, the evangelist John speaks of “a new heaven and a new earth.” “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea,” Revelation 21:1.
After reading the four references to a new heaven and a new earth as recorded in Holy Scripture, we will conclude that we do not have all the details and the answers to all the questions that come to our minds. We will say with the apostle Paul, “Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known,” 1 Corinthians 13:12.
Looking at the new heaven and the new earth in the light of the immediate context in each instance and in the light of the glorious Gospel, we must conclude that the old sinful world, with all its sorrow and sickness, with all the hurts and heartaches, and with all its evils will be remembered no more. We will dwell eternally with our God in a place where all believers in Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior from sin, death, and hell will dwell in righteousness. Sin in every form and death are separable evils and will exist no more. The devils will be bound in hell.
All believers in Jesus as Lord and Savior will be numbered with those of whom John writes, “They are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters,” Revelation 7:15-17. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away,” Revelation 21:4. How grand and glorious!
Dear fellow-believer, keep your faith and trust in Jesus who paid the price on Calvary’s cross to wash your sins away and who conquered death and the devil. In the new heaven and the new earth, you will give all glory to God for loving you and for calling you to trust in His Son and your Savior.
My hope is built on nothing less, Then Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. Amen.