Day 209 - New Heavens and a New Earth

Daily Reading:  Isaiah 64-66

All of us have become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;

we all shrivel up like a leaf,

and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Isaiah 64:6

Footnote:  Sin makes us unclean so that we cannot approach God any more than a beggar in rotten rags could dine at a king's table.  Our best efforts are still infected with sin.  Our only hope, therefore, is faith in Jesus Christ, who can cleanse us and bring us into God's presence (read Romans 3).

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter;

we are all the work of your hand.

64:8

New Heavens and a New Earth

......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.

65:22:25

Footnote 65:17-25:  We have a pictorial description of the new heavens and the new earth.  They are eternal, and in them safety, peace, and plenty will be availabe to all (see also 66:22,23; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).  Verses 20-25 may refer to the reign of Christ on earth because sin and death have not yet been finally destroyed.

66:22-24 Footnote:  Isaiah brings his book to a close with great drama.  For the faithless there is a sobering portrayal of judgment.  For the faithful, there is a glorious picture of rich reward -- "so will your name and descendants endure."  The contrast is so striking that it would seem that everyone would want to be God's follower.  But we are often just as rebellious, foolish, and reluctant to change as the Israaelites.  We are just as negligent in feeding the hungry, working for justice, and obeying God's Word.  Make sure you are among those who will be richly blessed.

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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV