Jesus makes all things new
Isaiah 65:17-25, Revelation 20
Have you ever restored something? Something that was old, not fulfilling its intended use or function and then made like new again? Of course, my example is an old 1968 ute which you all know about. It was fully restored: new everything, brakes, motor, panels, gearbox, diff, paint, even some extras like a heater, radio and air conditioning. But I am finding I have to stay on top of it. Rust continues to come through, the motor and brakes don’t stay new, certainly the paint fades.
Some restore houses, furniture, boats, but all have the same thing; they will continue to wear over time and need constant maintenance. We know this is the case, even with our own health. As we age, we can never go back to being a teenager; our body breaks down very quickly. So, we do our best to maintain the best health through diet, exercise and mental/spiritual health.
Things wear out
But Isaiah spoke of a new heaven and a new earth. What did he mean?
It looks like a transition from this present earth, but not a recreation. Why do we say this? Because, as we have said before, some things continue as they presently do – children are being born, we build houses, plant vineyards. Present nation states are mentioned. So, there are some things that continue, but other things are obviously not part of this world. Our days will be “for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.” (Isaiah 65:20) “like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be.” (Isaiah 65:22) – “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” (Isaiah 65:25)
It is not the final state. Isaiah had earlier spoken of no sun or moon. “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.” (Isaiah 60:19, 20) Where else do we read of this? In Revelation 21:23. “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” This is where John spoke of a New Heaven and a New Earth. This will dwell for eternity and be the final state.
This morning’s passage in Isaiah 65 speaks of an intermediatory stage.
Where else do we read of this intermediatory stage? Revelation 20. Satan will be locked up. Satan is presently the ruler over the earth. “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—." (Ephesians 2:2) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) But in this 1000-year period, Satan will be locked up. Christ will literally rule and reign on Earth for 1000 years.
We are also in an intermediary stage. You are described as ‘A new creation.’ “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) The old is gone; the new has come; a new creature in Christ, but look at you! You are not in your glorified bodies. You’re in the middle. The contract has been signed, your status is confirmed, you have the signed contract for the goods, but you don’t have the goods yet. You have the status, without the eternal reality. This is where faith is vital. It is what theologians refer to as the “now, but not yet.” We have the status, the promises and the assurance of the future reality, but we are not there yet. But in the 1000 years, the intermediatory stage of the earth, you will be like Christ and have your glorified body. The earth will have some renewal, but it will not be complete.
Just as we are not there, the world is not. Jesus has asked us to pray about what will happen and also do something to make it happen. God is sovereign in making it happen, but we are responsible in how it comes about. 1. Jesus taught us to pray – “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) – asking God in His sovereignty to bless. 2. Our commission – “Go and make disciples baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) What age? This present, pre-eternal age now and in the Millenium when people can still accept Christ as their Lord, before the eternal states are set.
Be part of the first resurrection: accept Christ. Rule and reign now and in the new body. This body will be cast off. We will become like Jesus. For us it will be before the Millenium. For some, it will happen during the Millenium. There will be a tribulation period, a rapture, a taking up of the Lord’s people with Christ; His return and rule for 1000 years. This will be when some will be gloried, others will not. That is the period Isaiah, Ezekiel and the Apostle John spoke about; then the final judgment. This is called the Great White throne judgement that we see at the end of Revelation 20.
We are part of the restoration process. Cars, houses, our bodies and the earth are breaking down, but we are part of the renewal; we are living letters. The only way we get the new body is by putting of this old body. That’s how we get restored. It starts by being “born again”; then the renewing of your mind and understanding, dying to wicked ways and thoughts in mind and heart; finally, either being taken by the Lord – raptured to his presence, or dying in this body and taken into His presence and returning with Him as He is, with a glorified body; ruling and reigning for 1000 years; then a new heavens and earth that will remain for eternity.
The renewal starts now. Be involved in the kingdom building: the greatest restoration project there is. I love restoring old cars, but the frustrating thing is that it never ends. Once you are in Christ, the Bible says we go from glory to glory. The body departs, even our minds break down, but our souls are becoming more like Christ. This is the sovereign work that he does.
Please be involved and pray about: Playgroup, Kids@Church, growing and building a youth presence in Christ, seeing many young families praising the Lord. Be involved in worship, life groups, looking after the grounds, men’s and women’s events, community days. Our Mother’s Day event is coming up; please pray for that day. Last year, it was a wonderful blessing.
I would like something to be happening at the church every day of the week. We have a great facility here – let’s use it for the community to show them Christ. Be part of the earth’s renewal in this part of the earth by being a transforming influence in our community.