THE FUTURE PROMISED BY GOD

ISAIAH 65

In our last study on Isaiah 64, we ended with the fervent prayer and plea of the people for Jehovah to come to earth and bring deliverance.  Jehovah God now answers through His Prophet Isaiah in this prayer.  In Isaiah 65:1, we have the answer to the Gentile world that they are included in God’s plan for the future.  Paul in Romans 10:20 makes it clear, “I was found of them that sought me not.” Thus God responded to people who did not even call upon Him.  In Acts 28:28 we find, “Be it known therefore unto you, that salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles and that they will hear it.”  Then Isaiah answers the Jewish question by stating, “All day long have I spread out my hand to a rebellious people.”  As we move into Isaiah 65:3-5, a detailed description is given of Israel’s idolatry, which had caused her to be disciplined by God.  They burned incense, ate swine flesh, and drank broth of creeping and crawling creatures forbidden in Leviticus 11:41-47.   These evil and immoral practices provoked God to anger and brought about their punishment.  The problem was they did many outward practices of their religion, but their hearts were far from God.  How sad that our churches are filled with the same attitude today.

In Isaiah 65:8-16, we find God has a faithful remnant; and though disobedience by the majority must be dealt with, mercy will keep Him from obliterating His people.  The seed of Jacob will again posses the land in the near future and eventually forever.  Thus, the Babylonian captivity will end, and in the future Messiah’s Millennial Kingdom will see Jerusalem as the center city of the earth.  Isaiah 65:16 makes it clear that the unhappy past will be crowded out by a new glorious future. 

In Isaiah 65:17-25, we have the Revelation of the New Heaven and New Earth.  Again, we must carefully consider the partial and final fulfillment of this prophecy.  After the rapture of the Church and during the Millennium, there will be tremendous changes in the earth.  The desert will blossom as a rose, and the Temple in Jerusalem will be the worship center of the world, according to Zechariah 14:16-17.  One of the great things about Jerusalem will be the absence of tears, of sorrow, and suffering.  As we move along in Isaiah 65:20, we see the longevity of men and the absence of premature death.  I think the prophet has in mind the gnarled olive tree of the Holy Land, famous for longevity.  As we think of Genesis in relation to this, I do think men will be able to live the full 1,000 years of the kingdom if they are obedient to the King Messiah.  They will labor, “shall build houses,” and be secure to eat of the fruit of their vineyards without fear.  No enemy invasions will threaten Israel and Judah as they live in perfect security protected from terror by King Messiah.  One of the great things of the Kingdom age will be that prayers will be answered even before being expressed.  How quickly our needs will be met as the readiness of Jehovah is experienced.  The animal world will also be at perfect peace.  The wolf and the lamb will get along, and yes, the wolf will not feed on the lamb.  The lion will eat straw like the ox, and the law of the jungle will be changed to conform to the rule of the King.  There will be no hurt or harm to make anyone afraid in the whole world.  This is backed up in Isaiah 11:9, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, even as the waters cover the sea.”  As a final word, let me say following the Millennium and the loosing of Satan, the final judgments will take place, including the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15.  Then will come the perfect heaven and perfect earth of Revelation 21:22 and with this the beginning of eternity.