Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”

The new heavens and new earth are items of great controversy. We will not find all the answers in this passage, but there are some definite hints. We know that the new recreation is a part of the messianic age and that it is connected to the work of Jesus and his glorification. The first heaven and earth were the results of creation, and so shall the second ones be. Many believe that the second will be just like the first, only swept clean of evil. God does say that the old things will not be recalled or come to mind. The second heavens and earth will not remind its inhabitants of the first.

The first heavens and earth were created for physical beings, the second earth will be created for spiritual beings. The first earth had light because God did not live in a physical world, but the second will not have light because God will live with His people there. Our earthly, physical bodies will decay and return to the earth, the new bodies will be incorruptible, spiritual, and exist forever.

Jesus will also live in the new heavens and new earth, and when He returns to the old one, it will be to take His people to be with Him in the new heavens and new earth. He is not coming back to this planet to live a physical life on a physical earth. He is spiritual and needs a spiritual world, and we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye from our old form to a new one. One suitable for new heavens and new earth and the presence of God.

Task for Today: Set your sights on things above, not on things below. Like Abraham, long for the city of God, made with foundations, designed and made by God. Don’t grow too attached to this world which Peter says will be consumed. Nothing will be left of the universe of the first creation. Nothing became something, and something will return to nothing but the eternal things will be made ready for the saints. Are you a saint?