Read: Isaiah 66:15-24
The new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me. (v. 22)
When we buy something new, we accept the fact that it will not stay new forever. The new car ages and needs repairs. The new clothes wear out with use and over time they even go out of style.
What humans create may age and wear out, but that’s not true of the new heavens and earth! God tells us in Isaiah 66:22 that the new heavens and new earth will remain before him. They won’t wear out, won’t go out of style, and won’t need to be replaced. But there’s more good news in these verses. For the offspring and names of those who are faithful to God will remain before him (v. 22), and their offspring will worship God “from new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath” (v. 23).
Indeed many from around the world will “declare [God’s] glory among the nations” (v. 19). They’ll come to the new heaven and the new earth. But those who rebel against God won’t enjoy the beauty and blessings of the Christian’s promised land (vv. 15-16, 24). So our mission as God’s people is clear: to declare God’s glory among the nations and to share the good news of his love and forgiveness in Jesus, so that many from among the nations will enjoy eternity in God’s wonderful new heaven and new earth.
As you pray, remember the Words of Hope staff around the world who declare God’s glory among the nations.
Rich Bawinkel is a retired pastor who has served churches in the Reformed Church in America and the Kingdom Network. He is married to Anne and serves as a musician in their local church, as the administrator of the Kingdom Network, and on the Words of Hope Board of Directors.
