January 31: GLIMPSES OF GLORY
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create . . . I will rejoice . . . in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her . . .” Isaiah 65:17, 18a, 19
Even in the “here and now” of Isaiah’s day, his spiritual sights were often lifted up — through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit — far above the blinding smoke storms of spiritual error wafting over the earth. Isaiah is yearning for all of his brethren to understand just how ready and willing our God is to instruct, to bless, and to save.
This necessarily calls for contrasts to be presented, as there are important choices to be made! Verses 17-19 contain brief glimpses of the future, eternal state of glory for the redeemed. These glimpses of glory not only strengthen the faith of the redeemed, but are meant to encourage and inspire the LORD’s wayward people to turn back to Him.
Verses 9-12 express a clear distinction between two sets of people, all of whom consider themselves to be the people of God. Nevertheless, there are the saved (vv.9-10), and the unsaved (vv.11-12). Verses 13-14 supply back-to-back spiritual contrasts between the two groups.
In verse 16, the saved are focused heavenward, and therefore divinely enabled to receive spiritual blessings. Any remaining earthly troubles during this life are viewed by the saved as mere inconveniences. They trust completely in God’s provision of forgiveness, ongoing guidance, and a glorious, unending future (see Psalm 103:12; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
Having recorded the heavenly vision depicted in verses 17-19, Isaiah brings his gaze back to the earth to describe how vastly more pleasant our experience in this life could be, even before the last enemy, death, is destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days . . . For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” (Isaiah 65:20a,22b) Such blessings can rest, even now, upon [His] elect. Yes, the death sentence upon the earth has yet to be lifted, but God’s people need not fret. Instead, they are to walk with Him in confidence and assurance of the promised future in the everlasting kingdom (Daniel 7:27).
Although Isaiah points ahead to the ultimate renewal of earth in this chapter (vv.17-19), the next four verses cite the possibility of a blessed existence in the here and now (vv.20-24). The scenario of Isaiah 65 is the ‘not yet’ of the final restoration (described in Revelation 21 after the millennium). It was given as a conditional prophecy that depended upon the response of God’s professed people. However, the darkness of our present era should not prevent our sanctified imaginations from visualizing the greatest fulfillment to come following Christ’s return (see 1 Corinthians 2:10). Rather, it can and should fuel us for the task at hand — before the close of probation (see Revelation 22:11). This time is certainly a fantastic time to be alive in the history of mankind! An interesting warning for the unregenerate children of Israel:
“You shall leave your name as a curse to My Chosen; For the Lord GOD will slay you, And call His servants by another name.” Isaiah 65:15 (see also Acts 11:26)
Further investigation: Deuteronomy 28:2,15; Psalm 139:4; Zechariah 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Revelation 9:2; 21:4-5