This penultimate chapter recaps judgement and salvation, and describes the creation of “new heavens and a new earth”.
” ‘For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. …no more shall be heard [among the people] the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. 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. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox…’ ” (v17, 19, 23-25a abr)
If you’re not yet looking forward to a redeemed / new world, then it’s time to get excited. God’s promised “new heavens and new earth” will take things back to a pre-sin Garden of Eden state, where people and animals live in perfect harmony. No more brokenness or pain, no more loss or sorrow, no more sickness or death. We will one day experience life as God intended it: flawless relationships with Him and each other.
Not only will pain, suffering, sorrow, etc. cease, God says we won’t even remember those terrible things. All remnants of our sin will be wiped out, and we will be completely and fully restored, not even remembering such things. Won’t that be amazing? We are so greatly influenced by sin and its consequences this flawless, future creation is impossible to fully comprehend. Let’s praise God for these promises, and trust that He will fulfill them in His perfect timing.
Father God, our Amazing and Wonderful Lord and Creator, Your promises and deeds are too great for us to fully understand. You have promised such a great future, one so far removed from our current flawed experiences, that we can’t wait to see what You have in store. Please help us to look forward to the fulfillment of these promises, while not losing sight of the work that has yet to be completed. May we continue to work with Your Holy Spirit to build Jesus’ kingdom on this earth, and bring more people into Your future kingdom. In the name of Jesus we praise You, for You alone are worthy of our praise. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training