Isaiah 65:20-23 – New Life
Verses 20-23 deal with the effects of the coming of the new heavens and earth. In the old heavens and earth, all must die. In Jesus Christ there is life, bought by Him at the price of His blood. This life that He has attained for His people is everlasting life. What about in this world now? It might be that as Christ triumphs over all, bringing all things under His feet, that the effects of the fall and its curse should be more and more lifted. But as long as someone’s life might go, if they die without Jesus Christ, they are accursed. They yet die in their sin. It’s life in Christ that is everlasting.
Verses 21-22 are about our work in the new heavens and the new earth. With the Fall, man’s work, commanded by God, became frustrated and laborious. We live now in the new heavens and the new earth, yet we do not see its fullness till Jesus returns. Even now, though, as we work, the work of our hands is assured. Here we dwell under the care of a Father in heaven, with the assurance that all our works here do follow after us (Revelation 14:13). We have the promise of provision of all we need in this life (Matthew 6:25-34). Finally, there is the promise of our dwelling forever in our Father’s house (John 14:1-4). All this is secured in and by Jesus.
Since the Fall, people have been bringing forth children for trouble. But God says in verse 23, for those who abide in the new heaven and earth, they shall not labour in vain nor bring forth children for trouble. By God’s grace, we have children. And by God’s grace, by His grace alone, but according to promise, they too come to know our Saviour. They too, through our prayers and through our witness before them, come to know Jesus, to love him, to serve him. They too have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Sadly, there’s the occasional one that strays. Isaac loved Esau. And there are others that we see who fall by the wayside, but they stand out so because they’re unusual. Characteristically, God kindly works to make the promise to be true for you and for your seed after you. Do you have one straying or know of one straying? If you are the parent of such, continue to pray for them. You have the promise. You can pray on that basis. Pray for them. Do you know of one? Pray along with their parents. Who knows what may happen? It’s often that Jesus, through the prayers of His people, brings back dead, lost sheep. And you will find that that one was not born into trouble, but to the magnification of God’s grace!
Question
- What are some of the effects of the new heaven and the new earth?
Prayer Points
- Pray for covenant children whom you know of who have walked away from Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.