< Isaiah 65 >

Israel were God’s chosen people to whom he gave his word and sent his prophets to guide them in the way of righteousness, but they would not hear and turned to wickedness and idolatry, provoking the LORD to anger vs.1-7.Isaiah 65:1-7XWaiting for response Nevertheless, he would not cast off Israel for ever but would preserve a remnant who would return to his land and dwell therein when he causes it to flourish vs.8-10.Isaiah 65:8-10XWaiting for response The LORD promises to bless his faithful servants and he contrasts their destiny with that of those who wickedly departed from him and forgot his holy mountain v.11.Isaiah 65:11XWaiting for response They had done evil before the LORD and therefore they suffered punishment vs.12-15,Isaiah 65:12-15XWaiting for response but his faithful servants will eat the good of the land and sing for joy of heart vs.13-Isaiah 65:13XWaiting for response 14.

The time will come in the purpose of God when all the former troubles will be forgotten and all people will bless themselves in the LORD v.16.Isaiah 65:16XWaiting for response He will create a completely new political and ecclesiastical constitution in the earth - new heavens and new earth v.17Isaiah 65:17XWaiting for response - with Jerusalem as its capital which will be filled with joy and rejoicing v.18.Isaiah 65:18XWaiting for response The LORD will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in his people. No suffering will come to her again v.19,Isaiah 65:19XWaiting for response and he calls upon us to be glad and rejoice at the prospect of this new creation v.18.Isaiah 65:18XWaiting for response The apostle Peter cited this passage and declared of Christ’s disciples: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” 2 Peter 3:13-14.2 Peter 3:13-14XWaiting for response

God has the power to solve all the problems of the earth and through Jesus he will do so, bringing righteousness, peace and blessing to mankind and transforming the environment of the earth for his glory.

In the beginning, as recorded in Genesis, people lived much longer than now, and this will also be the case in the future. A person dying at the age of one hundred will be considered a child v.20,Isaiah 65:20XWaiting for response suggesting a lifespan of approximately seven hundred years. The saints, however, who will rule with Jesus will not die at all as they will be immortal (Matthew 25:46).Matthew 25:46XWaiting for response

Israel have suffered a history of affliction with Gentiles robbing them of their houses, lands, and produce, but this will never happen again v.22.Isaiah 65:22XWaiting for response They will no longer labour in vain or bring forth for trouble for they will be acknowledged as the blessed of the LORD, and he will respond to their appeals immediately vs.23-24.Isaiah 65:23-24XWaiting for response

Another remarkable change in the future kingdom of God, and also a return to the natural state of affairs in the beginning, is that even the animals will not hurt each other in God’s holy mountain for “the wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock” v.25.Isaiah 65:25XWaiting for response