日: 2014年9月6日

From today we enter into the last chapter of Isaiah. This chapter is God’s  answer to Isaiah’s prayer of 66:1-5.　At the same time it is the conclusion to the whole book of Isaiah.

Isaiah saw Jerusalem destroyed by Babylon and fallen into ruins and he prayed, “After all this, O LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?” (64:12) God answered his prayer with surprising words, “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’” (65:1)

In other words, by this to the Gentiles who until now “did not ask for” (65:1) God, the salvation of God will come.  That is unthinkable. This is only by the leading according to God’s eternal plan.

That’s not all. In 65:17 it says, “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth.” God is saying that like when in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, God will create anew by a completely new order a new heaven and a new earth. “The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” (65:17) Sadness and crying will disappear. God is saying the He will create such a new heaven and new earth. This is real hope and encouragement. At that time Israel was in a historical crisis of being destroyed by Babylon. Israel was facing a crisis, but God at such a time spoke words of true encouragement and hope.

The last half of the book of Isaiah begins from Isaiah chapter 40. It begins with God speaking, “Comfort. Comfort my people.” (40:1) What the comfort is that a new heaven and earth will come. The old heaven and earth will pass. “The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” (65:17) “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Rev. 21:14) Such a world will come. This is the real hope.

Then in this chapter 66 as in chapter 65 God’s judgment and blessing are spoken interchangeably like an interwoven net so God’s plan for God’s people becomes clear.

 

1. Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool (Vs. 1)

First please look at verse 1. Here it says, “Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool.

Where is the house you will build for me?

Where will my resting place be?”

 

This is the last question from the Lord to Israel. It is a challenge. It is “Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?” (1) “The house you will build for me” (1) is the temple in Jerusalem.  They believed the temple in Jerusalem was where God was really at and it was filled with God’s Spirit. But here God is saying, “Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?” (1) There is no such house anywhere. That’s because “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” (1) You can’t put the creator of the heavens and the earth in such a tiny temple.

On the day the King Solomon dedicated the temple of Israel he prayed in I Kings 8:27, “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you.  How much less this temple I have built!” There is nothing that the creator that created the heaven and earth can fit into. He is saying that no matter how splendid a temple is built, “even the highest heaven, cannot contain” (I Kings 8:27) God.

The reason God is saying this is because at that time among the Israelites there were some people that had the wrong thinking that if they performed the religious rites revolving around the temple, then they would be recognized by God. It can be seen that it held such an important position in the fact that after the Israelites returned from captivity in Babylon the first thing that they did was rebuild the temple. The Jerusalem temple was the central thing in the Jewish faith. To do religious duties was the most important thing. Therefore, it is understandable that they thought that if they did such things, then they would be recognized by God. This is similar to present day Christians that have the misunderstanding that if they attend Sunday worship, they are saved or mistakenly think that if they tithe, and serve in the church they will be recognized by God. Such religious acts are not bad. Rather such acts are natural for Christians.  However, if you think you do such acts, then you are holy, that is wrong. Such things can’t make you holy.

Our God does not live in such a temple. God who said, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (1) does not rest in a house built by human hands. Such things are nothing more just a model of heavenly things. The real thing is not the temple building, but the throne of God in heaven. Therefore, let’s not be deluded by such outward things. We need to understand what things please God and seek those things.

 

1. The ones I look on with favor (Vs. 2)

Then what does God desire? Please look at verse 2. “’Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the LORD. ‘These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.’” (2)

“All these things” (2) are everything that God has created. “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” (2) so “all these things” (2) belong to God.

Therefore, if we give a lot of things to God that doesn’t necessarily mean that God will be pleased. If we build a splendid temple for God it doesn’t necessarily mean that God will live there. God’s “hand made all these things” (2) and all things belong to God. God who is the source of all things doesn’t desire such things, but desires our hearts, ourselves.  Here, in verse 2, it tells us what kind of person God desires.

“These are the ones I look on with favor:

those who are humble and contrite in spirit,

and who tremble at my word.” (2)

Those whom God looks “on with favor” (2) are “those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at” (2) God’s Word. “Humble and contrite in spirit” (2) is not just being humble. It is to be truly contrite for sin, penitent for it, and in pain to get it pardoned. This is what it means to be “humble and contrite in spirit” (2) Because if you listen to God’s Word with such a humble heart, you really tremble at His word.

When the prophet, Nathan, pointed out to David his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, David humbled himself before God and repented. In Psalm 51 his song of repentance is recorded. He prayed, “Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in our verdict

and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

 

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide you face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity,

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take the Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.”

(Psalms51:1-12, 16,17)

David held on to the grace of God. This is the appearance of “those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble” (2) at God’s word.

“Tremble” (2) means not just to tremble at something fearful; but is trembling in awe of something great. When we listen to the word as the Word of God, it is natural for such a fear or trembling to be born.

God looks with favor on “those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at ” (2) His word. They can’t live without the Word of God. They think that they need the Word of God. They have to have the Word of God in order to live.                                    The Word of God only is their living support. They think that God’s Word is the one and only hope. God will definitely not scorn such people.

 

1. Those who have chosen their own way (Vs. 3-5)

The third point is the opposite, about those that don’t listen to God’s Word and chose their own way. Please look at verses 3 to 5.  First I will read verse 3. “But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations.”

These words are criticizing those that have pride in their religious piety and who emphasize the form only, and surficial things and forget spiritual worship and the importance of a proper spiritual walk.  No matter how many sacrifices like the Old Testament commands such people make it is nothing more than idol worship. That is because “they have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations.” (3) What they think is more important than what God desires. They insistently follow their own thinking and make sacrifices. They don’t seek to follow the Word of God, but put themselves first. Therefore, no matter how much they dress themselves with                  piety on the surface, in reality it is idol worship.

This is something that we must be careful about.  If we do not humble ourselves and aren’t contrite and don’t follow God’s Word, and insistently follow our own thinking and make our own way by our own thinking, then no matter how zealously we assemble at Christian gatherings, no matter how hard we serve in the church, no matter how much money we give as offerings, God will never be delighted.  If we think that if we build a huge church building, then the Lord will be delighted, then that is a big mistake.  It is no different from “one who kills a person…breaks a dog’s neck…presents pig’s blood… worships an idol.” (3) That is hypocrisy. That is what God hates the most. Jesus strongly warned the hypocrites. He called them “white washed tombs”. (Matt. 23:27) Even if the outside of the tomb looks beautiful, the inside is full with dead people’s bones and all kinds of filth. Likewise, even though their outsides looked like they were right to other people, their insides were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Of course, this does not mean that they didn’t need the temple.  It isn’t saying that the place that we worship the Lord in isn’t important at all. It isn’t saying that we don’t need Sunday worship or we don’t need to give offerings. Such things are important. If they are born as a result of faith, then they are wonderful. When it becomes the goal and following God is slighted, then not only does it have completely no meaning, but you will become the hypocrite that God hates.

Saul who was the first king of Israel didn’t follow God’s Word that was spoken through the prophet Samuel.  Samuel was told, “Go attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them.  Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys” (I Samuel 15:3) One day Samuel went to King Saul’s. He heard the bleating of sheep and the lowing of cattle. When Samuel asked Saul, “What then is the bleating of sheep in my ears? What is the lowing of cattle that I hear?” (I Samuel 15:14) Saul answered like this. “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.” (I Samuel 15:15)

At a single glance it sounds like its logical, but that was a complete misunderstanding. Saul intended to follow the Lord’s voice but in reality he was following his own thinking.

 

This is in reality often in us too. While saying that we are following God in reality we act according to what’s good for us. However, that is not what pleases God. Hence, God deprives such people of their throne. Samuel said this to Saul, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” (I Samuel 15:22)

“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” (I Samuel 15:22) “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?” (I Samuel 15:22) No matter how many sacrifices you make, it is not superior to obeying God. The important thing is not to make conclusions by your own thinking and judgment, not by what is right or wrong, but by following God’s word. Only just be humble and contrite in spirit, and … tremble at ” (2) God’s Word and obey God’s Word.  If not, even if it seems that you are performing God’s commission, in reality your faith is based upon your own thinking.

Verse 5 says, “Hear the word of the LORD,

you who tremble at his word:

Your brothers who hate you,

and exclude you because of my name, have said,

‘Let the LORD be glorified,

that we may see your joy!’

Yet they will be put to shame.”

Here it is talking about what happens when you become just religiously enthusiastic. Such people insult, ridicule, and persecute the real believers. “Your brothers who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!’” (5) This means that the Jews will exclude their “brothers,” (5) Jews, who earnestly listen to the Lord’s Word. They will ridicule these Jews saying, “Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!”

The Jews who “Hear the word of the LORD… who tremble at his word” will  joyfully look forward to the Lord’s glory which the last days will bring. However, the hypocrites will not be like that. They will see such things and insult, ridicule, and persecute. However, in the end such hypocrites “will be put to shame.” (5)

What God desires of you is that you “hear the word of the LORD,” (5) and “tremble at his word”. (5) We mustn’t not listen to God’s Word and just zealously perform religious activity, but “be humble and contrite in spirit, and … tremble at ” (2) God’s Word and obey God’s Word. How about you, are you trembling at God’s Word?

 

 

In our life there are two roads. One road is the road of being humble and contrite in spirit, ” (2) and trembling at God’s Word. The other road is your own selfish road. You can’t walk on both of these two roads at the same time. You have to choose one of these two roads.  However, depending on which of the two roads you choose, it will for that person bring exactly opposite results. The person that is “humble and contrite in spirit, and … trembles at ” (2) God’s Word, God will settle his eyes on him. In other words, God’s blessings will come. That person will inherit the new heaven and the new earth. However, fear will come to those who walk on the other road, the road of selfishness. The place that these people will arrive at is eternal doom. For them they themselves are god. More than listening and obeying God’s Word, they put their own thinking first. Their hearts are full of idol worship, they enjoy filling their own desires, and they walk in the way that they think is right for them so as a result they invite doom upon themselves.  Which road will you choose?

Jesus said this, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt. 7:13,14)

We always have the temptation to walk on our own selfish road.  That road is “broad… and many enter through it.” (Matt. 7:13) Everyone is doing the same things so it seems like it is safer and more enjoyable. However, it “leads to destruction.” (Matt. 7:13) “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt. 7:14) However, that road is really the road that leads us to eternal life, the road that brings to eternal glory. ‘These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” (2)

What God desires of us is only that we be “humble and contrite in spirit,” (2) and listen and obey God’s Word. Let’s be such a person. In the course of time God’s glory will come to such a person

Today from the latter half of Isaiah chapter 65 I would like to talk about the new heaven and earth.  The Lord answered Isaiah’s prayer, “After all this, O LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?” (64:12) with surprising words, “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;

I was found by those who did not seek me.

To a nation that did not call on my name.

I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’” (1) In other words, this was so that by Israel rejecting God, salvation will come to the Gentiles. This was not so they would stumble and fall. Then by the Gentiles being saved, Israel will become jealous and from among the Israelites a few people will be saved.  This is the remnant of Israel. By this, all of Israel will be saved. “Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Roman 11:33) God’s plan of salvation is really amazing!

However, that is not all.  In today’s passage it speaks about God’s plan of salvation being fulfilled by the form of a new heaven and a new earth. It isn’t just being freed from earthly suffering, being freed from Babylon, but beyond that it is the real solution that is brought by the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. In reality God’s people being restored from Babylon is a pattern that God’s people who have been redeemed of their sin will live in a new heaven and earth.

 

1. The creation of a new people of God (Vs. 13-16)

First of all please look at verses 13 to 16. Verse 13 to 14 say, “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.  My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit.”

“My servants” (13) are those people who have had their sin redeemed by God. They are the people that responded to God’s call and received and accepted God’s salvation. These are not the Jews that were living in Jerusalem. They rebelled against God so it caused God to rage up in anger. The retribution for such people is as verse 12 says is God’s judgment.  They will be slaughtered and fall. However in the midst of this those who receive God’s salvation will be called “my servants” (13). They are the remnant.  They will receive blessings. They “will eat…drink…rejoice…sing out of the joy of their hearts”. (13, 14) They are “his servants he will give another name”. (15) The name that they will be given is “Christian”. They will be called Christians. Please open your Bibles to Acts 11:25 and 26. “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch.  So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people.  The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”

It was at this time that those who believed in Jesus were first called Christians. “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” (Acts 11:26)　Until then they were called “the way”. This came from the teaching of Jesus that he is “the way”, “the truth”, and “the life”. Among themselves Christians called each other “brothers and sisters”, but ordinarily they were called “the way”. After they came to Antioch they came to be called “Christians”. That’s because they were always talking about Christ. They brought every conversation to the topic of Christ. Everything they said and listened to was about Christ.

This was a nick name.  It was a nick name meaning “Crazy for Christ” or “Stupid for Christ”. They talked about Christ everywhere so they began to be called “Crazy for Christ”, “Christian”. In other words, in everyone’s eyes they had a visible lifestyle. That is a Christian.

How about us? There are some people who are visibly Christian from the beginning, but in most cases we don’t　actively make it clear by ourselves. We hate for other people to be surprised that we a Christian.  However, a Christian is “Crazy for Christ”. They live for Christ. They talk about Christ all the time. They can’t be silent.  If you know the wonderful salvation of God, if you know the amazing grace, then then you can’t be silent.

In the NHK drama, the strategic Kanbe too believed in Jesus Christ and became a Christian. On his chest was always a cross necklace.  Of course, the Christian Daimyo Ukon Takayama was also so.  When they became a Christian they had a completely different way of living than before.  In everyone’s eyes, he had a lifestyle that everyone would know that he was a Christian. How about you?

Among Christians there are some that even though they don’t say anything people think they must be Christians because in their daily life they always reflect what Jesus would say or do.  This is splendid. Whether you say you are a Christian or not, if through your life you witness to Christ, how splendid. However, there are a lot of splendid non-Christians. Rather, unless you put into words how wonderful God is who saved you, people won’t understand. May we too be called a Christian, crazy for Christ.

Please look at verse 16. “Whoever invokes a blessing in the land

will do so by the one true God;

whoever takes an oath in the land

will swear by the one true God.

For the past troubles will be forgotten

and hidden from my eyes.”

Here “the one true God” (16) is being stressed. “The one true God” in Hebrew is “the Amen God”. “The Amen God”, “The one true God”, (16) is written about in Rev. 3:14. “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write; These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” The words of Jesus Christ are being sent “To the angel of the church in Laodicea.” (Rev. 3:14) It is clear if you look at Rev. 1:17 and 18. “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” That is Jesus Christ. This Jesus Christ is “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” (Rev. 3:14) Jesus Christ is “the one true God” (16), “the Amen God”.

If you look at I John 5:20, this can be seen here too. “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.  And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ.  He is the true God and eternal life.”

“He is the true God and eternal life.” (I John 5:20) Christians are blessed by Jesus Christ, “the one true God”. (16) By Jesus Christ former struggles are dismissed from our minds. Before we knew Christ we were full of baggage: sin, concerns, struggles, hurts, pains, sadness, etc. However, when we believed in Christ, “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” (17) By the blood of Christ we are washed clean. We don’t have to be tortured by past guilt and feelings of wrongdoing. We don’t have to feel defeated forever. Christ redeemed you of your sin. You by Christ have been created anew as God’s servant, a Christian. “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (II Cor. 5:17)

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (II Cor. 5:17) That is a new creation. It is a new creation in Christ. “The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” (17) “The new is here!” (II Cor. 5:17) That’s a wonderful promise, isn’t it? We often think that it would be nice if we had a reset button to redo our lives. We think how nice it would be if we could erase and rid ourselves of all our past sins, dirt, struggles, and hurts and redo our lives on a clean slate. God through Jesus Christ opened a way for you to start a new and redo your life. If you are in Christ daily you can walk anew. God can change your insides into a new creation.

 

 

1. A new heaven and a new earth (Vs. 17)

The second point is that the work of God’s new creation is the creation of a new heaven and a new earth.  Please look at verse 17. “Behold, I will create

new heavens and a new earth.

The former things will not be

remembered,

nor will they come to mind.”

Here God is through Isaiah promising “new heavens and a new earth.” (17) In contrast to the “new earth”, now the universe that we are living in that is earth centered is the “old earth”. We don’t know exactly how many years ago, but as it says in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” it was created by God. This old heaven and earth will be gone and a completely new heaven and earth will be created.

This word, “create” (17) is used for creating something completely out of nothing and expresses a creation out of nothing. A different word is used for creating things out of materials. To make things out of material even man can do. However, to make something completely new out of nothing only God can do. God is saying that he is going to “create new heavens and a new earth” (17) that is completely different from this heaven and earth.

We tend to think that the heaven and earth that we are living in now will continue forever, but that is not so.  This earth will be destroyed by the filth of sin, and a time will come when it will be exchanged for a completely new heaven and earth. It is a little long, but let’s look at II Peter 3:7-13.

“By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends; With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be! You ought to live holy and godly lives as you forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”

 

Here it says, “the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.” (II Peter 3:12) All substances down to the atom will all melt away. The heavens will be completely destroyed. All traces of it will disappear. However, for the children of God that believed in God and were saved “a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (II Peter 3:13) is prepared for them. This is heaven.

Verse 17 said, “The former things will not be remembered,

nor will they come to mind.”

That is because the former things have passed away. There God “will live with them…He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Rev. 21:14) All the various mourning, crying, pain and troubles that we have experienced on this earth “will not be remembered nor will they come to mind.” (17) That is because the former things have passed away. Everything will be completely different from what we have experienced up until now. A world of a different dimension will come. This is for Christians a really huge encouragement!

For those who have repented and believed in Jesus Christ, living in this world may in some ways be difficult. We are thankful that we can walk knowing that God is with us, but on the other hand, it is a reality that the more we believe we run into troubles, trying times, and things that we can’t accept. Persecution, others disapprove of us, and many pressures occur. However, God does not leave Christians in the same situation forever. In the course of time, we can live in a new heaven and a new earth. Therefore, let’s put our hope here and live a life that is tied to that hope. If our lives end only with the negative thoughts of our troubles, then it is really sad. No matter what surrounds us, no matter what happens, let’s walk confessing that in the course of time, in the end we have the hope. This is what God wanted to tell Israel, rather us mankind, through Isaiah.

Recently we were able to send Mrs. Fukuda to heaven. Also there are many other people who are struggling with sickness.  When I go to such people and pray and sing, I think in the end this is all there is: even if you die, living life, eternal life, is really our ultimate hope.

 

1. The new blessings of creation (Vs. 18-25)

Lastly, let’s look at verses 18 to the end of the chapter. Verse 18 says, “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.”

 

Here it says, “I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.” (18) “Jerusalem” (18) is the holy city of the “new heavens and a new earth” (17) that I previously spoke about. This is the Jerusalem of heaven. Rev. 21:2 says, “I see the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” “Jerusalem” (18) is this “Holy City, the new Jerusalem.” (Rev. 21:2) There “the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.” (19) “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.” (20) “They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.” (21) “No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat.” (22) In this world there are cases of no matter how much you sweat working, you are exploited. However, in the New Jerusalem this will not be.  If you work, then you will receive payment for the amount you work. “No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat.” (22)

Verse 24 says, “Before they call I will answer;

while they are still speaking I will hear.”  This is wonderful. While we are saying, “Jesus”, the answer, “What?” will come.  The Lord who knows all about us is always next to us and quickly answers us.  Until then we had sin so the Lord’s answer was sometimes slow in coming. “Surely the arm of the LORD is not

too short to save,

nor his ear too dull to hear.

But your iniquities have separated

you from your God;

your sins have hidden his face from you,

so that he will not hear.” (59:1, 2) That sin will all be removed and you will enter into intimate fellowship with God so when you call out “God” he will answer immediately.

Then in verse 25, “’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.”

There will be no meat eaters. They “will feed together” (25) eating grass and straw. Such a peaceful world will come.

In the New Jerusalem there is supposed to “be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Rev. 21:14) Even so if you look at verse 20 it says, “he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.” To live a long life and “no more death” (Rev. 21:14) are two different things.

In reality the contents of up until verse 19 and the contents after verse 20 are the same prophecy of the end times, but they are describing different ages. The contents up until verse 19 are scenes of the new heaven and new earth that will come after the heavens and earth perish. From verse 20 on is a prophecy of the Millennium which will occur before that. Isaiah is looking at two scenes of the Millennium and the new heaven and earth that will come after that without distinguishing between the two.  That is just like when we are looking at two things in the distance. For example, if we look at Osaka and Hiroshima from here, in reality they are quite a ways apart, but they look like they are in the same spot. When Isaiah saw the vision for the end of the world, it reality there was actually a huge time difference between the Millennium and the New Jerusalem, but he saw them as being in the same age at the end of the world.

In the New Testament, it is described a little more clearly. When Christ returns again those in Christ “will be caught up…in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (I Thess. 4:17) After that with Christ we will rule with Christ for a peaceful 1000 years. Then we will enter into the new heaven and new earth and God’s Holy Jerusalem. “And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (I Thess. 4:17) This is our hope.

This is definitely not nonsense. That is because it is based on the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ’s cross and resurrection. Before Christ was crucified, he said to his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

This place is really heaven. Jesus ascended into heaven to prepare that place. When the place is prepared, he will come back to get us. That day is close.

Therefore, we let’s realize the hope that is promised to us and even if our actual life has hardships and struggles and we think we can’t bear it any longer, even so let’s put our hope here and while holding on to God, let’s walk with praise and thanksgiving. In the course of time you will enter a new heaven and a new earth. You will forget former troubles, and God will wipe every tear from your eyes. You will receive encouragement from God.  Let’s depend upon God’s promises.