Have you ever thought, “I would love to just escape and move to a tropical island”? We might characterize it as a perfect place of beauty, happiness, peace and escape. But, deep down, we know that even the most beautiful tropical islands have their drawbacks. The prophet Isaiah describes a place that will be perfect in Isaiah 65:17-25. It's a brand new place that God is creating--a new heaven and earth. It is a place for the redeemed to enjoy. Celebrate the promise of a new heaven and earth created by God as you prepare and lead this weeks session.
As you study the Bible passage, reflect on the awesomeness of Isaiah’s words. God has a plan for believers to live in His presence forever. The hardships and pain of this world will vanish amid the joys of intimate fellowship with our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord. Today we are one day closer to that new heaven, new earth, and life everlasting for all of God’s people.
Considering our country's current situation, believers need this message of hope so that we might experience a renewed faith and trust in God and so that we might demonstrate our faith in Christ to a world that is looking for relief from sickness, death, political turmoil, and economic challenges.
The prophet Isaiah describes three things that will make this place a perfect paradise:
- It will be a place of JOY -- Isaiah 65:17-20. Memories of sin, suffering, sadness, and other sources of sorrow or regret will be erased. God will be rejoicing with us.
- It will be a place of PROSPERITY -- Isaiah 65:21-23. Success will be the norm. All of this will take place because the people will be blessed by the Lord. The time of curses and threats will be gone, and blessings and life are eternal.
- It will be a place of PEACE -- Isaiah 65:24-25. Perfect peace is characterized in the context of relationship with God, each other, and even with nature. We’ll experience perfect communication and communion with God. God and His people will abide together in such harmony that the Lord will hear and respond to their needs before they even ask Him. Wild animals, formerly at odds with each other, will dwell together in tranquility.
Life’s challenges can cause us to lose hope. If we are not careful, we can begin to believe all is lost and our best days are behind us. I want you to consider the possibility that the situations you are currently experiencing might be robbing you of hope, confidence, and peace. If they are, then list ways in which this study of the promised new heaven and new earth can restore your hope. Perhaps you don’t have hope, confidence, or peace because you have never made your peace with God. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? If not, I pray that you will surrender yourself to Him and talk with someone who can help you begin your new relationship with Christ.
This new heaven and earth would be perfect, without sin or sorrow. God’s people would live in this place and experience complete JOY. They also would experience PROSPERITY in the form of God’s blessing for all eternity. He would be their God, and they would be His people. Finally, God’s people would know the PEACE only the Lord could give. They would enjoy that peace for all eternity.
Isaiah wrote these words some 2,700 years ago. For God’s people today, this means that we are at least 2,700 years closer to the day God fulfills this promise! But we don’t have to wait until then to experience a taste of the joy, prosperity, and peace. If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you can begin now to enjoy what will one day be fully realized in Christ’s return!
DOWNLOADABLE STUDY HELPS
The Bible study helps have been modified in order to provide opportunities for both online and face-to-face teaching venues. Ideas in boxes will be provided for engaging groups more when meeting in person. The boxed items could also be modified and used for online discussion as well.
