Believers in Christ already possess the major blessings that constitute a “new heaven” and a “new earth.” Heaven is now open in Christ, not shut.
Earth and heaven have been joined in Christ by his Holy Spirit living both within and among each and every believer in him. Humankind are no longer separated from the presence of God. In Christ, God, as a loving Father, welcomes all to approach his throne of grace. The curse has been declared null and void for those who believe and receive God’s Servant. Eternal life is here now. …
Switchbacks and Hermeneutics: Devotional 2.99
Much of Volume 2 of Isaiah involves switchbacks within the text that alternate between two groups. Both groups belong to national biblical Israel. But God abundantly blesses only one of the two groups. One group obeys God; the other group disobeys. Eventually, Isaiah’s use of the names Sion and Jerusalem lands firmly upon the obedient. Again, it is important to realize that both groups ethnically belong to national biblical Israel. This explains why God no longer addresses “Israel” as a whole. The text has reached a point of final sifting. God addresses his obedient children as Sion and Jerusalem. The disobedient he addresses as transgressors (Septuagint Isaiah 66:3 and Isaiah 66:24). …
A New Heaven and a New Earth: Devotional 2.945
As in so many other ways, the advent and events of the life of God’s Special Servant, his Son, fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 65:17. Through his death on the cross, resurrection from the grave, and ascension into heaven, Jesus Christ, the Servant, opened a doorway into God’s presence that never existed before. Likewise, Jesus Christ, God’s Servant, opened the way for a “new earth.” …
Septuagint Isaiah 66:1-6–Devotional 2.95
Notice that the “voice of a cry” and “a voice from the temple” is a “voice of the Lord.” The voice comes from the city and from the temple. This Greek word “from” means “out of” (ἐκ). The Lord is in his temple wreaking recompense upon his enemies. Therefore, the enemies must be in the temple. Who is in the temple in this passage of Isaiah? They are those who offer him ceremonial sacrifices there. …
New Heaven/New Earth: Devotional 2.94
Isaiah indicates that the changes will be permanent, just as God’s rejection of those who reject him is permanent. Isaiah presents no possibility of a national repentance that involves political boundaries. Isaiah left those chapters behind. After centuries and centuries of rebuffed opportunities to embrace God’s mercy and warnings, the last times have arrived. The spiritual replaces the concrete. Believers will be garnered from the whole world, even though God preserves the root and the seed that will grow and become his new olive tree (Romans 11:16-17). …