Rev. David Holwick A Book of Isaiah series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
January 2, 1994
Isaiah 65:17-25
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I. A new year, a new person.
A. Celeste and my Slim-Fast diet.
Spoonful of noodles and a pretzel.
Walk 4 miles daily.
I'll die thin.
Realistically, I expect modest change.
I'll lose a few pounds, feel good, go back to old ways.
Eventually I'll be right back where I started.
But miracles CAN happen...
B. We change whether we want to, or not.
Do you realize that no one in this room is the same person they
were seven years ago?
Approximately every seven years, we are entirely new.
Every cell, every atom, in our body dies and is replaced with
new ones in that period of time.
There is not one atom in your body today that was there seven
years ago.
Someone has called this the "seven-year switch."
#2324
C. Steady renewal, versus dramatic renewal.
II. God goes for the dramatic.
A. Isaiah 65 is a great prophecy of the end of the world.
1) More literally, the brand-new creation of the world.
a) The word "create" receives special emphasis.
b) There are several allusions to Genesis 1-3.
c) The Garden of Eden is restored.
2) Not just a touch-up, but a complete make over.
a) Alludes to the events of the Second Coming of Jesus.
b) Hot topic right now, with new millennium approaching.
B. What the new world is like.
1) No memory of former pain. 65:17
2) No more weeping or sorrow. 65:19
3) No more untimely death. 65:20
4) Peace, security and success. 65:21-23
5) Direct and immediate relationship with God. 65:24
6) Nature restored to Eden-like existence. 65:25
C. Our destiny is in this new universe.
1) Heaven is only a temporary abode.
2) Our future existence will be real and exciting.
III. God's prophetic timetable.
A. Is Isaiah describing perfection or something intermediate?
1) New heavens and earth point to "Age to Come" of perfection,
described in Revelation 21-22.
2) New Jerusalem also points to this period. 65:18
3) Emphasis on "no weeping" seems very positive.
B. Intermediate glory of the Millennium.
1) Short of perfection: people can still die. 65:20
2) The curse of Adam is alluded to. 65:20
3) There is also an allusion to Satan. 65:25
a) He is harmless, but still around.
4) Situation fits Revelation 20, the Millennium.
a) Literally, the thousand year reign of Jesus on earth.
b) A time of peace and security, but not perfection.
c) Satan is bound but not yet destroyed.
C. Solution: foreshortening.
1) Isaiah telescopes the great themes of the end of the age.
2) Revelation gives more detail.
3) At any rate, it will be better than what we have now!
IV. God's renewal of his people - right now.
A. We require a new creation, not just a warming-over. 2 Cor 5:17
1) It is the only thing that counts. Gal. 6:15
2) Only God can do it.
3) We don't clean up our lives first, but receive his love.
London businessman Lindsay Clegg tells the story of a warehouse
property he was selling.
The building had been empty for months and needed repairs.
Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn
trash around the interior.
As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains
to say that he would replace the broken windows,
bring in a crew to correct any structural damage,
and clean out the garbage.
"Forget about the repairs," the buyer said.
"When I buy this place, I'm going to build something completely
different.
I don't want this building; I want the site."
Compared with the renovation God has in mind, our efforts to
improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping a warehouse
slated for the wrecking ball.
When we become God's, the old life is over.
He makes all things new.
All God wants is the site and permission to build.
#2056
B. Our re-creation starts in the hearts, and then flows
through our lives.
1) We must be fully committed to God and His will.
2) We must seek Him in Bible reading and prayer.
3) We must repent of known sin and destructive habits,
anything that takes the place of God. #2405
C. We have the same benefits listed in Isaiah 65.
1) Former sins and failures are forgotten by God.
a) He gives us a clean slate.
2) He gives us joy and material blessing.
3) He gives us a relationship of intimacy.
a) He hears our prayers (though it may not seem instantaneous)
b) Eternal security.
V. Are you ready for a new life?
A. You can wait for seven years while your body renews itself.
B. Or you can begin right now by confessing your need, and trusting
in God's power to rebuild you.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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