Isaiah 65

Israel’s troubles had come because of sin; but those troubles would soon be forgotten (verse 16). God was going to make a new covenant with Israel; He was going to forgive the wickedness of those who believed and repented (Jeremiah 31:31–34). That forgiveness would be made available through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s Servant (Isaiah Chapter 53).

Thus from this chapter (and from the entire Bible) we see that God is a God of judgment for unbelievers and a God of salvation for believers. He is a God of holiness and righteousness on the one hand, and a God of love and grace on the other. This is our unchanging God, the same in both Old and New Testaments, the God of Isaiah, of Christ, and of all who believe today.²⁴²

One question still troubles people: How can God be a God of love and at the same time send people to hell, to eternal punishment? The answer is: God doesn’t send people to hell; they “send” themselves. They choose their destiny. In verse 12, God says to the unfaithful Israelites: “You. . .chose what displeases me.” God doesn’t want anyone to go to hell; rather, He wants all men (and women) to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Heaven or hell—salvation or judgment—the choice is ours. We don’t have to be sinless to be saved; all we have to do is reach out in faith and take the free gift of salvation that God offers us in Christ. That offer still stands—even now, as you read these words.

New Heavens and a New Earth (65:17–25)

17–19 Here Isaiah has a vision of new heavens,a new earth, and a new Jerusalem (see Revelation 21:1–2). The former things will not be remembered (verse 17), for they will be destroyed, replaced by something wonderfully new and better (2 Peter 3:10–13; Revelation 21:3–4) where the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard . . . no more (verse 19). These verses form the climax of Isaiah’s entire book; they describe the new things that Isaiah has been promising in previous chapters (Isaiah 42:9; 48:6).

20–23 The description of the “new heavens” and “new earth” that Isaiah gives here is not exactly the same as that of the new heaven and new earth given in Revelation Chapter 21. For example, in Isaiah’s vision death will be delayed but not abolished; in John’s vision, there will be no more death (Revelation 21:4). In Isaiah’s vision, people will live in security (verses 21–22); no invaders will live in their houses or eat what they plant (see Isaiah 62:8–9). They will enjoy the covenant blessings of the Lord (verse 23).

24–25 Before they call I will answer (verse 24); all the needs of the people will be met (see Matthew 6:7–8,31–33). In the new heaven and earth, God’s creatures will not harm each other (see Isaiah 11:6–9); even the poisonous serpent will eat only dust (verse 25). Isaiah’s mention of the serpent in verse 25 reminds us of the ancient serpent, Satan (Revelation 20:2), who will be crushed by the woman’s offspring, Jesus Christ²⁴³ (Genesis 3:14–15).