Isaiah See’s a Better Dawn Coming

Isaiah 65:17 (ESV)… “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”

In Isaiah 65:11–16, God sees two kind of people in the land: those who forsake the Lord and those who serve the Lord. (“My Servant” has now become “My servants.”) Those who forsake the Lord ignore His temple and worship false gods, such as Fortune and Destiny (in v. 11, “that troop” and “that number”). These disobedient Jews will not live but be destroyed, and those who do survive will not enjoy it. In fact, their very names will be used as curses in the years to come!

God saves the best for the last: His description of “the new heavens and new earth” (the millennial kingdom) in 65:17–66:24.

This is not the same as John’s “new heaven and new earth” (Rev. 21:1ff), because the characteristics Isaiah gives do not fit the eternal state. As far as we know, in the eternal state, people will not get old or die (Isa. 65:20), nor will there be any danger of losing anything to invaders (vv. 21–23).

Jerusalem will be a source of joy, not only to the Lord but to the whole earth. It will be a city of holiness, harmony, and happiness. During the millennial kingdom, people will work, and God will bless their labors. People will pray, and God will answer (v. 24). Nature will be at peace (v. 25) because the curse will be lifted.[1]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Comforted (pp. 161–162). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.