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The Promise of a New Heavens and New Earth - When? By Michael Krall
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2Peter 3:12-13
Peter in his second epistle talks about the destruction of the heavens and earth and the promise of a new heavens and earth. It is not the scope of this paper to explain whether or not Peter meant the literal heavens and earth would be dissolved but to look at the promise he said awaits the Christians after that event. Where is that promise recorded in holy Writ? It is in Isaiah 65-66. We we would like to do is look at chapter 65 of Isaiah and see if there is anything in that chapter that will give us an indication of when in redemptive history God will take away this old heavens and earth and bring in the new one. Once we come to see from the inspired Word what the timing is then the nature of it can then be gleaned from the text as well. A good place to start to see the timing of this is to look at 2 verses in the middle of the chapter. Since these 2 verses appear to be a dividing line of 2 subjects it is good to see how they are tied together. 16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that weareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. 17 ¶ For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. In verse 17 we see the first mention of the new heavens and new earth and how former things will not be remembered in there. But the first word of the verse is the word 'For' directly connecting it to verse 16. We see in that verse that it is a description as well of what takes place in this new heavens and new earth and that former troubles will be forgotten. As we work backwards again we see that verse 16 begins with 'That' which also connects it to what went before. So now that we have established that there is a connection between the new heavens and new earth and the first part of this chapter lets look to see what the first part reveals. 1 ¶ I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. 2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; Does this sound familar? It should for Paul quotes it in Romans 10:20-21 referring it to Israel of his day. It is important that we let the inspired New Testament writers under the full revelation of the New Covenant interpret Old Testament scriptures. If that has not yet convinced the reader let us now note the next verses. 3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; 4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. This is clearly referring to Israel for who else would God be angry with for making false sacrifices and burning incense on false altars? But note the next verses in particular. 11 ¶ But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. 12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not. 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. 15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: Now here is a question that needs to be considered WHO IS IT WHOSE NAME IS LEFT FOR A CURSE AND WHO ARE THE PEOPLE THAT GOD WILL CALL BY ANOTHER NAME? If this is not first century Israel, whose name is left for a curse and now the people of God are called by another name -the church- then this must be something yet in the future can you explain how this will happen right before or during the Lords future coming? Is it the church that will be left for a curse since they are now the people of God? Just claiming a double fulfillment does not solve this problem as to who this is that preceded the coming in of the new heavens and new earth. Timing has been established and claiming double fulfillment is mere speculation resulting from a preconceived notion that there must be a literal destroying and recreating of the cosmos. Now that the timing has been shown let us now look at the nature of this new heavens and new earth and see if the language will support the eternal state in glory when all that will be saved are redeemed. First in this new heavens and new earth we have this description in verse 20 "There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed." Now that does not sound like the eternal state where there is no more physical death does it? Some will answer by claiming that this is metaphorical language and in this we agree. But what is the purpose of using an illustration of death and dying in a state in which there will be no physical or spiritual death of any kind? Secondly we have verse 25 ?The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.? This is right out of Isa 11:9 "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." Is that not the gospel age there described? If you say no then you disagree with Paul for note verse 10: 10 ¶ And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Does that verse sound familar? It should for Paul quotes it in Romans 15:12 and applies it to the gospel age. In verse 8 of Romans 15 he states that Christ was a "minister of the circumcision for the truth of God to confirm the promise made to the fathers AND THAT THE GENTILES MIGHT GLORIFY GOD FOR HIS MERCY." It is in this context that Paul quotes the verses from the Old Testament that speak of Gentiles coming into the Israel of God which Isaiah 11 is one of those passages. This connects the time of the fullness of the Gentiles (fullness in standing before God not fullness in number) and the coming in of the new heavens and new earth. Thirdly we look now at the verses in Revelation 21-22 where there is further descriptions of this new heavens and new earth. In these verses we have such language that appears to talk about an eternal state for there is no more death 21:4. But cannot this be what Jesus talked about when he said he that believed in him ?shall never die?? If this sounds like shoehorning a verse into a preconceived idea then lets look at other things in the Revelation description of the new heavens and new earth. 1)We have leaves on the trees for the healing of the nations. Will that be needed in a place where there is no physical death in heaven? 2) How come we have the gates left open for people to enter in 21:25? Will people be saved after death and out of hell in the eternal state? Then why is the gate left open for people to enter to the new heavens and new earth? 3) How come the gospel call goes out to those outside the gate 22:14? 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. People are entering the city of the New Jerusalem which Isaiah says is the NH and NE so how do people enter it in the eternal state? is this second chance salvation or may the elect that never believed in time as the conditionalists say <grin>. If this is the eternal state how can this be? The only answer we are left with is that the new heavens and the new earth is a description of the New Covenant and this is stated in language that is clearly descriptive of the New Covenant. We will quote these verse highlighting those parts that are a New Covenant fulfillment. 1 ¶ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Can anyone deny that God is the God of those in the New Covenant? Can anyone deny the familiar language that old things have passed away as Paul stated in 2 Cor 5:17 which speaks of the New Covenant? Can anyone deny that the New Covenant drinks from the water of life freely and has received the inheritance? If we have not received these things as of yet then we have no basis to say that those believers that have went the way of all flesh have experienced these things neither of as the Scripture says regarding the Old Testament saints did not receive the promise 'God had provided some better things for us (first century saints), that they without us should not be made perfect.' Send an email with your comments to todd @ preteristarchive.com Be sure to include the article name. They will be posted shortly upon receipt
CommentsI THINK MORE EXPLAINATION NEEDS TO BE GIVEN ON THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH. The New Heavens and Earth Study Archive Date: 06 Oct 2005 |
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