Isaiah 65-66

Isaiah 63:15–64:12

Isaiah 65:1–2

Isaiah requested for God’s compassion and wonders why God has withheld His tenderness and left His people (Isaiah 63:15-64:12). We see that Isaiah is aware of God's anger on His people, and how he also understands no one could save them from their sins, that they don't deserve to be saved. Regardless, Isaiah continues to pray for God's mercy and compassion. God's response reiterate Isaiah's worries and fears. God has held out his hands to His people, and yet, these people continue to walk their ways and do whatever they want.

Isaiah 65:2-7

Israel has refused God's Way, continues to provoke Him by worshiping idols and doing unclean things.

Isaiah 65:2-7

The Lord will punish His people for all the sins they have committed.

Isaiah 65:8–10

The Lord will not destroy all of His people but will preserve a portion of the descendants of Jacob who will inherit the land.

Isaiah 65:11–12

To those who purposely choose to go against God, they will be severely punished.

Isaiah 65:13–16

God's servants will eat, drink, rejoice, sing and live in blessing, whereas those who chose to go against God will never be able to enjoy such luxuries and will suffer an eternal death.

Isaiah 65:17–25In the future, there will be a new heavens and a new earth. Former events will not be remembered, and the new Jerusalem will be a delight, with its people a joy. God will bless Jerusalem and take delight in His people. No longer will God's people weep. Man would live well past one hundred years old and enjoy the works of their hands. God's people will be blessed by God. They will hear God, and God will hear them. Great peace will also come to the new Jerusalem; so great a peace that the wolf, the lamb, the lion, and the ox will feed together. All will have joy except the serpent who will feed on only dust. There will be no harm nor destruction in this new Jerusalem.

2 Peter 3:10–13

Revelation 20:4–6; 21:1–8

Understanding the Bible is never easy, and we must always be careful of our interpretations. Learning from great pastors and Bible Study leaders, I have learned that one of the most important thing to understanding the Bible is to understand its context. Once we understand the background of the event that is taking place, we can then better understand what is meant by certain phrases when used under those circumstances.

Second, refer back to the BIble's original written language. The Old Testament was mostly written in Hebrew whereas the New Testament, in Greek. Often times, deeper layers of meaning are lost when words are translated from Hebrew/Greek to English. Hence, whenever a passage seems cryptic to understand, we should consider both its context and refer back to its original written language to gain further insight into the message behind that passage.

Lastly, everything in the Bible is stated at least twice. The easiest example is the Gospels. It is revealed via 4 different perspectives. Additionally, things stated in the New Testament can be supported by things stated in the Old Testament, and vice versa. Hence, whenever in doubt with an understanding, double check it by finding another instance stated directly in the Bible. It should always make sense. If it doesn't, or if it contradicts another concept, then a deeper understanding of the context and reference to its original written text is needed.

Given the above, we should therefore be fully aware that everything in the Bible makes both literal and metaphorical sense. Unless the text specifically says it is metaphorical or the context suggests it is symbolic, then the Bible can always be taken both literally and metaphorically.

Hence, coming back to Isaiah's prophesy of a new Jerusalem, Isaiah is certainly describing a physical renewal for the nation of Israel. This will take place AFTER the Tribulation (Revelation 21). After the Tribulation, satan and his followers will be banished to Hell for a thousand years (Revelation 20). During those thousand years, Jesus will rule on earth (His 2nd coming), establishing the new Jerusalem. Those who died in Christ before and during the Tribulation will get a new body and will be transformed from a mortal to an eternal being.

John 3:3-9

1 Peter 1:22-23

As a Christian, we are God's new creation. We were born once of the physical body. To become a Christina, we need to born again of our spiritual soul. And so, by definition, as a Christian, we are God's new creation.

Isaiah 66:1–16

- From within the heart, we need to deeply know that our lives are not about ourselves. Furthermore, we need to truly understand just how great our sins are. We are naturally selfish and easily tempted. And without Jesus, we would never be able to enjoy an eternal life with God. Instead, we would suffer an eternal death in Hell. Our lives are thus not about ourselves. Our lives are all about Jesus.

- We need to learn from the mistakes of the Israelites. They show no real fear of God and boldly chooses to disobey God. But look what has happened. To this day, Israel is still suffering from God's wrath. If it isn't because of the everlasting covenant that God has established with Abraham, God has no reason to promise the return of its glory! God could have easily wiped Israel out as He did with Sodom and Gomorrah! The problem with us is that we seem to think we are gods. We think that just because we can invent things and create better technology to improve our lives, we are all powerful and rule over the earth. And because the time for God's wrath has not yet come, we don't realize how horrific it is to fall on the wrong side of God. Why is it so easy for us to forget lessons of history? The Bible documents clearly how Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed. The Bible also teaches us to walk with the Lord or we will face harsh judgment. We need to heed these instructions with great seriousness. We need to appropriately fear God's Word to fully understand the severity of our predicament as sinful humans.

- The faithful will be blessed and be glorified by God.

Isaiah 66:14

Matthew 28:20

God will be with His people until the end. And in the end, those who walk with God will rejoice and live in great peace and comfort; those who don't will suffer God's judgment.

Isaiah 66:15–16

Matthew 24:21–31

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9

Revelation 19:11–21

God's final judgment will be "unequaled from the beginning of the world" and "never to be equaled again (Matthew 24:21). God will judge with fire and His sword. If we think what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah is the harshest example of God's wrath, we have seen nothing yet.

Isaiah 66:17–24- Those who consecrate themselves for pagan worship will be put to death by the Lord.

- All nations will ultimately see the glory of God. God will designate certain groups of people to proclaim His glory, which will ultimately be seen on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.

1 Corinthians 2:9

Mark 9:47–48

Revelation 20:11–15

The eternal destiny of God's people is eternal life. The eternal destiny of those who rebel against God inherently sides with satan and will thus suffer an eternal death apart from God.