Thoughts from the Past – Reminders and Hope

 

July 12, 2006 [edited]
Reminders and Hope

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

There were two things that blessed me in this passage of scripture.

Reminders

In Genesis, after the Lord had finished all His creation we read, And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:31  This present earth has been marred by man's sin, and yet even still the beauty and wonder of it can sometimes be so intense that it almost hurts. The most amazing construction and artistry can be seen repeatedly throughout God's handiwork.

Romans 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

But, in all that there is still the mark of death. It will all be destroyed some day (2 Peter 3:12) and replaced with a new heavens and a new earth.

As much as we can be glad and rejoice in this present earth, the future heavens and earth are so wonderful that we will not even remember this one! Amazing thought!

So, the next time you are enjoying a glorious sunset, an amazing creature, a delightful fragrance, a lovely flower of God's creation - remember that these are "just" reminders of God's promise of wonderful, wonderful things to come!

Hope for Israel

The second thing I see here is that Jerusalem is going to be a rejoicing and her people a joy.

In verse 19 of Isaiah 65 we also read, And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

These will be glad days. There will be no more turmoil in Jerusalem - the city of peace - as there is today. It will be a city that will cause joy and gladness, instead of sadness and apprehension, in all the earth! This will be a good day, not just for the Jews, but for those Palestinians who are left (Zephaniah 3:12) in Israel in that day and for all the nations of the earth!

Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.