Isaiah 66:22-24 – Glorious Promises of God
In a very real way, we are already in the new heavens and the new earth! First, as we’ve been seeing, the Gentiles are taken into the church of Jesus Christ. In a new heaven and new earth, the gospel is for all the world. Secondly, no longer is redemption promised. Redemption is accomplished, and we no longer need the types and symbols pointing us to a coming redemption. All of this is the way it shall be until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. Then there will be one more change. Then there will be consummation. Then there will be resurrection for us all. And our salvation, which has now started, shall be completed. All of us who are in Jesus Christ have certain aspects of our salvation already. We had dead hearts that are now made alive. We all have saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are the children of God. What else is there? Well, if you’re in Jesus Christ, you’re still fighting sin. You have yet to be perfected and fitted fully for glory.
We see closing worship and adoration of God for His goodness in verse 23, and for His justice in verse 24. When we talk about God’s goodness, we are talking about His grace, His mercy, His kindness, and love. The Spirit enables Isaiah to see a vast number of people coming from all nations, worshipping and adoring God for his goodness to the children of men. We’re in that group of people. We once again are living fulfilment of prophecy. And the worship and the adoration that, even now we give, is puny compared to what it shall be. And the joy we shall have is called unspeakable and full of glory by Peter in 1st Peter 1:18.
The picture in verse 24 is of people of a city taking a walk outside of the city to a horrible place. It’s a picture of hell where everything is rotten, everything is burning, everything stinks, everything’s horrible. No one knows anyone. There is no hope for anyone there. What a strange way to close this book. Why would God have Isaiah write this? To warn those who still will not give up their sin and turn to Jesus, and because it shows His righteousness, holiness, justice, and truth. We see God’s goodness to all his people. We see the destruction of all their enemies. And we see the glory of God. And that’s how the book ends. Jesus wins!
Many thanks to Rev. Phil Pockras of Belle Center, Ohio, RPCNA for these notes. You can listen to the sermons they were taken from on sermonaudio.
Question
- How does this book of Isaiah end?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.