Author : Keith Sharp
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).
Introduction
The apostle Peter declared by inspiration that all the Old Testament prophecies pertaining to Christ are fulfilled in the present age (Acts 3:19-26), which is the last days (Acts 2:16-17) or last age (1 Corinthians 10:11), the age when God speaks through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Some object to these truths by pointing to Isaiah’s prophecy of “new heavens and a new earth” and contending these prophecies have not been fulfilled. So, what is this “new heavens and a new earth”? Has this prophecy of Isaiah been fulfilled or not?
Hand in glove with the claim that Isaiah’s prophecy has not been fulfilled is the contention that all biblical language must be taken literally. I’ve even been accused of not believing the Bible because I insist it contains figurative language. Give me a break! The Scriptures plainly, repeatedly state they contain figures (e.g., Hosea 12:10; Matthew 13:34; Galatians 4:24). Do you believe the literal statement that the Scriptures contain parables (figurative language)? Is Jesus a literal door (John 10:9)? Is He made of wood? Does He swing on hinges? Of course the Bible contains figurative language.
Isaiah twice foretold “new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22), the apostle Peter also did so (2 Peter 3:13), as did the apostle John (Revelation 21:1). To what do they refer?
Isaiah 65:17
The apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 65:1-2, the beginning of the context, and applies them to the present age (Romans 10:20-21). The prophecy concludes with the promise, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,’ Says the LORD” (Isaiah 65:25). “My holy mountain” is a clue that identifies the time and nature of the fulfillment. The prophecy of the Lord’s “holy mountain” pertains to the first coming of Christ (cf. Isaiah 11:1-2,9; 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-21) and is a figurative term for the rule of Christ in His church, His kingdom (Isaiah 2:1-4; Hebrews 12:22-23,28). And the nature of this kingdom is spiritual rather than material (John 18:36; Romans 14:17).
“The new heavens and new earth” of Isaiah 65:17 is the present divine order under the rule of Christ and the spiritual dwelling place for the people of God, the church.
Isaiah 66:22
In chapter sixty-six Isaiah refers to this same “new heavens and the new earth” (verse 22). The context here is a prophecy of Christ coming into the world and establishing His church (verses 7-9; cf. Micah 5:2-3; Revelation 12:1-11). Thus, Isaiah 66:22 is a continuation of the promise of Isaiah 65:17 and likewise pertains to the present rule of Christ over His kingdom, the church.
2 Peter 3:13
This passage is in a totally different context. The apostle Peter is warning against scoffers who deny that Christ will come again (2 Peter 3:1-4). He assures us that the promise of the Lord’s return will be fulfilled (2 Peter 3:5-9), at which time “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
Nothing in the passage or context indicates the apostle is speaking figuratively, therefore we should take the warning literally. This present universe is destined for sudden, fiery, divine destruction.
But the comfort Christians have is that “we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). In accordance with the meaning of the phrase “new heavens and a new earth,” we await a new order of things and a new dwelling place. This is a home in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5) in which we will have glorious, immortal, spiritual bodies like that of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 1 John 3:2).
Revelation 21:1
John likewise saw in a vision this new order of things after the return of the Lord (Revelation 21:1) in which the death, sickness, pain, suffering, and sorrow of this present age shall have passed away and God once more dwells with His people and this for all eternity (Revelation 21:2-5).
Conclusion
All the Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ, most of which were both figurative and spiritual, are indeed fulfilled in the New Testament age. The “new heavens and a new earth” of Isaiah are the rule of Christ over His spiritual kingdom, His church.
But there are yet “new heavens and a new earth” in store for Christians at the Lord’s return. A wonderful home in heaven where all is joy awaits. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”!
