This Article: (3 Pages)
- 1. Popular Belief About The Earth's... Future
- 2. New Heavens and a New Earth as... Used in the Bible
- 3. The Earth Designed to Endure
2) New Heavens and a New Earth as Used in the Bible
The first thing that needs to be examined is the use of the word 'NEW' in both the Old and New Testaments.
Isaiah 66 deals extensively with Jerusalem. As we follow the words of the prophet through this chapter, the destiny of Israel is revealed. Out of tribulation, oppression and conflict, Jerusalem will rise again. The prophet speaks of Yahweh's fury being poured out.
'For behold the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and rebuke with flames of fire.' (Isa.66:15)
The Lord will then use 'fire' and the 'sword' to plead with all flesh and there will be many slain. We have here a major conflict against the nations, which are subdued. There is not a complete annihilation of the people, as the chapter goes on to show that there will be worship established in Jerusalem.
'And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto Yahweh out of all nations... to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith Yahweh, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of Yahweh.' (Isa. 66:20)
It is here that the prophet refers to the new heavens and the new earth in Isaiah 66:22.
'For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Yahweh, so shall your seed and your name remain. From one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Yahweh.'
New as a Renewal and Change
Note here that there is a reference to all 'FLESH', which suggests a mortal state of mankind. New moons and sabbaths indicate a relationship to the world as we know it. We have also references here to Jerusalem, the mountain, the house and all 'flesh.' There is a fiery judgement, but there is no mention of the earth being destroyed.
The word 'NEW' in the Old Testament is used in the sense of rebuilding or renewing. Its meaning is obtained from the concordance. (Strong's: the words come from 2319 and 2318)
The occurrence of the word in Revelation in 'new heavens' and a 'new earth' is related to 'freshness' (Strong's 2537). Its usage in the New Testament is more closely related to 'changes' and not a creation of something different. We need to examine the use of this word in context. Some examples are given below.
In Matthew 26:28 we read that 'this is my blood of the New Testament.' There had been a change from the Law of Moses to the Law of the Messiah. This signified a change in the mode of worship, as the Anointed had fulfilled all the sacrificial aspects of the Law.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, 'Therefore if any man be in Christ (the Anointed) he is a new creature.' This in no way supports the destruction of the person, but a change in that person's attitude, allegiance and way of life.
Ephesians 4:24 conveys the same message when it is stated 'that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.' Here again, the man physically appears the sme, but the transformation is again in his way of life.
Hebrews 9:15 refers to the changes that were brought about by the Messiah's crucifixion. The old covenant was replaced by a new covenant, which was based on the principles of the old covenant which was the Law of Moses, and which in its turn was based on the Abrahamic covenant. The Messiah's work cannot be understood other than in the light of the Law of Moses. It is here we see a change, which is based on previously established Divine principles. 'And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament.'
Heavens and Earth Used Figuratively
The use of heavens and earth in the Bible is often figurative and used metaphorically.
In Isaiah 1:2 we read, 'Hear O heavens and give ear O earth.' Isaiah is addressing the rulers (heaven) and the ruled (earth). This is seen in Isa.1:10. This form of address is often used when Yahweh is speaking to and admonishing the people of Israel. In this instance, as in other places, the words are being addressed to the rulers and the people of Israel. The following is another example of where the nation of Israel are being addressed and metaphorical language is used ,with the rulers depicted as the heavens and the people as the earth.
'Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear O earth, the words of my mouth.' (Deuteronomy 32:1)
Symbolically, the stars and moon are often used to represent rulers in the Bible. An interesting and often misunderstood case is in Isaiah 14:4. Isaiah introduces the subject being addressed in the following verses.
'Take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased!'
The king of Babylon is the person being admonished. His power has been broken and he has fallen from his position of strength and dominance. In figurative language he is depicted as a fallen star.
“ (His) pomp is brought down to the grave... How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations.” (Isaiah 14: 11-12)
The king of Babylon had oppressed many nations and had been a mighty and powerful ruler of his era. The term 'lucifer' is a word that means 'day star'. It was a symbol that denoted his power and rulership. The word (Srong's Concordance:1966) is related to the word in Strong's 1984. It is translated variously as shine or glory, to make a show, to boast and hence to be foolish. An example occurs in Jeremiah 9:23 with the word translated as 'glory.'
'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches.'
The king of Babylon had gloried in his might and as a result he was cut down and fell from power. This is an example of the use of the symbols of the stars to represent men in power in the Old Testament. This symbology is used extensively in the Bible.
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