"I Am Creating New Heavens and a New Earth"

Jehovah now expands on his promise to restore a repentant remnant after their return from exile in Babylon.  Through Isaiah, Jehovah says:  "Here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart." (Isaiah 65:17)  Jehovah's promise of restoration is certain to be fulfilled, so he speaks of that future restoration as if it were already taking place.  This prophecy was initially fulfilled in 537 B.C.E. when the Jewish remnant was restored to Jerusalem.  What constituted the "new heavens" at that time?  The governorship of Zerubbabel supported by the High Priest Joshua and centered at Jerusalem .  The restored Jewish remnant made up " a new earth,"  a cleansed society that submitted  to such rulership  and helped to reestablish pure worship in the land.  (Ezra 5:1, 2) The joy of that restoration eclipsed all previous suffering; the former distresses were not even called to mind. -Psalm 126:1, 2. 

Recall, however, that Peter echoed Isaiah's prophecy and showed that it had a future fulfillment.  The apostle wrote:  "There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his  promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell."  (2 Peter 3:13)  In 1914 the long awaited  new heavens  came into existence.  The Messianic Kingdom born in that year rules from heaven itself, and Jehovah has given it authority over all the earth.  (Psalm 2:6-8)  This Kingdom government, under Christ and his 144,000 co-rulers, is the new heavens. -Revelation 14:1

What of the new earth? Following the pattern of the ancient fulfillment, the new earth will be made up of people who gladly submit to the rulership of the new heavenly government.  Even now, millions of rightly disposed individuals subject themselves to this government and strive to follow its laws as found in the Bible. These one come from all nationalities, languages, and races, and they work together to serve the reigning King Jesus Christ.  (Micah 4:1-4) After the passing of the present wicked system  of things, this group will form the nucleus of a new earth that will eventually be a globe-encircling society of God-fearing humans who inherit the earthly realm of God's  Kingdom.-Matthew 25:34.

The book of Revelation describes a vision the apostle John saw of the coming day of Jehovah, when this system  of things will be removed. After that, Satan will be abyssed.  (Revelation 19:11;20:3) Following that description, John echoes the prophetic words of Isaiah, writing: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth."  The subsequent verses of this account of this glorious vision tell of the time when Jehovah God will radically change conditions of this earth for the better.  (Revelation 21:1-3-5) Clearly, Isaiah's promise of "new heavens and a new earth" will have a wonderful fulfillment in God's new world!  Under the new governmental heavens, a  new earthly society will enjoy a paradise  that is both spiritual  and physical.  Comforting   indeed Is the promise  that "the former things [sicknesses, suffering, and the many other woes humans face] will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart."  Whatever we may remember at that time will not cause us the deep hurt, or pain, that now burdens the hearts of many.

Next time: Conclusion of "I Am Creating New Heavens and a New Earth"

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001