This Scripture talks about one day he will create a new heaven and a new earth. In this place people will rejoice and will fulfill their days and not die young. They will work and receive the reward of their work. The people will be blessed by the Lord. The wolf and the lamb will feed together. They will not do evil.

The question here is what this prophetic word is referring to? Does it mean the restoration of Israel where he will make all things new again? Or is this a picture of heavenly places?

The problem is in v. 20 it talks about people will live long lives before they die.

“In her a nursing infant will no longer live only a few days, or an old man not live out his days. Indeed, the youth will die at a hundred years, and the one who misses a hundred years will be cursed” (v. 20).

So if this is about a new heaven and earth like we read in revelation, will there be death in heaven? The thoughts are this:

  1. Israel – This is just referring to the restoration of Israel after exile, that they will be a people that are blessed of God again. The imagery is then figurative.
  2. Millenium – Some say that this is the picture of the millenium, where Christ will reign but people will still live and die.
  3. Figurative language – That this Scripture is just painting a picture that all things will be restored to proper order. That yes, this is about heaven, but it is a figurative Scripture. Not necessarily that people will die but that people will live out their fullness.

So what do I think? I think most definitely on one layer it is about Israel being restored and the peace that will be given her. But is there another layer, is this about heaven as well? Like in Revelation the “new have and new earth” (Rev 21)?

I know as a kid this Scripture scared me. Scared that I would go to the new heaven and earth and die again.

But let’s head over to Revelation.

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Here are my observations:

  1. In verse Rev 21:21 we have a clear quote from Isaiah 65 about the new heaven and earth. So we see that this does have a reference to heaven and not just figurative for Israel.
  2. But we also have a quote from Isaiah 25:8 in Rev 21:3 that “There will be no more death.” This is further affirmed by the Scriptures from Jesus that teach eternal life |
  3. In Isaiah 66 which is still in the same train of thought it says the new heavens and new earth “will endure before Me” (v. 22) which seems to indicate that it isn’t going away.
  4. We have many Scriptures including from Jesus saying that life in Him is eternal (John 3:16).

So my understanding of this text is that Isaiah 65:20 is figurative. It’s a human picture saying that all that has been created will find its fulfillment, and evil will not overcome it. That this chapter is about Israel after exile but is also about the new heaven and new earth of Revelation 21 where followers of Jesus will reside.

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