"Look! I Am Making All Things New"

Many of the restoration prophecies call for more than a spiritual restoration. Isaiah, for example, wrote of a time when the sick, the lame, the blind and the deaf would be healed and even death itself would be swallowed up forever. (Isaiah 25:8; 35:1-7) Such promises did not see a literal fulfillment in ancient Israel. And while we have seen a spiritual fulfillment of these promises in our day, there is every reason to believe that in the future, there will be a literal, full-scale fulfillment. How do we know that?

Back in Eden, Jehovah made clear his purpose for the earth; it was to be inhabited by a happy, healthy,united family of mankind. Man and woman were to care for the earth and all of its creatures,to turn the entire planet into a paradise. (Genesis 1:28) That is a far cry from the present state of affairs. Rest assured, though, that Jehovah's purposes are never thwarted. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Jesus, as the Messianic King appointed by Jehovah, will bring about this global Paradise. -Luke 23:43.8

Imaging seeing the whole earth turned into a Paradise! Jehovah says of that time: "Look! I* am making all things new." (Revelation 21:5) Consider what that will mean. When Jehovah has finished wielding his destructive power against this old wicked system, there will remain "new heavens and a new earth." This means that a new government will reign from heaven over a new earthly society composed of those who love Jehovah and who do his will. (2 Peter 3:13) Satan, along with his demons, will be put out of commission. (Revelation 20:3) For the first time in thousands of years, mankind will be free of that corrupt, hateful, negative influence. The sense of relief will no doubt be overwhelming.

At last, we will be able to take care of this beautiful planet as we were originally meant to do. The earth has natural restorative powers. Polluted lakes and rivers can cleanse themselves if the source of pollution is eliminated; battle-scarred landscapes can heal if the wars cease. What a pleasure it will be to work in harmony with the earth, helping to turn it into a garden like park, a global Eden of endless variety! Instead of wantonly wiping out animal and plant species, man will be at peace with all creation on earth. Even children will have nothing to fear from wild animals. -Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-9.

We will also experience restoration on a personal level. After Armageddon, the survivors will see miraculous healings on a global scaled. As he did on earth, Jesus will use his God-given power to restore sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, soundness of body to the lame and infirm. (Matthew 15:30) The aged will delight in this renewed youthful strength, health and vigor. (Job 33:25) Wrinkles will vanish, limbs will be straighten and muscles will flex with renewed power. All of faithful mankind will sense that the effects of sin and imperfection are gradually diminishing, dropping away. How we will thank God for his marvelous restorative power! Let us now focus on one especially heartwarming aspect of this thrilling time of restoration.

Next time: Restoring Life To The Dead

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002