August 24 - Isaiah 65:17-25

August 24 – Isaiah 65:17-25

“Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands.

They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.

Once again, we find more information regarding the new heaven and new earth.  This doesn’t sound like a bad place to live at all, does it!

“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain …” (Rev. 21:4a)

But, keep reading.  The homes we build will be our own, the vineyards and crops we plant will not be left for others to care for because we aren’t able.  We will enjoy the works of our hands.

This doesn’t sound like a boring place to live, in fact, it sounds pretty amazing!  You know all of those things we dream about – enjoying our job so that it isn’t really a job, but a passion?  That’s what we will be able to do. 

Not toiling in vain or bearing children doomed to misfortune.  These are issues that everyone deals with as they grow into maturity.  But, that will no longer.  In the new heaven and new earth – in the new Jerusalem, the blessings of God will prevail over the curse.

Before a thought is even in our mind, God will answer it … While we are still speaking it, He will be there.

Peace throughout mankind, peace throughout the animal kingdom.  Peace on earth.

This sounds simply amazing.

Paradise.  Eden.  New heavens.  New earth.  God reigns.