Read Isaiah 65:17-25

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy.” (Isaiah 65:17–18)

What a day that will be! A day all of God’s people have looked forward to since the fall in the Garden of Eden. Adam ushered in the reign of death, but Christ the reign of resurrection life, which will all be culminated on that eternal Day when all things are made new.

This promise was first made to the nation of Israel, even in their own unfaithfulness. But then, the promise was broadened to all who are found in Christ according to the blessed gospel!

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)

The Apostle Paul even tells us that the current state of creation groans for that Day (see Romans 8:22). Truly, it will be a day of great rejoicing. Joy will overflow. All of creation for the first time since the Garden of Eden — mankind, animals, and all of the cosmos — will be in a state of unimaginable perfection. Corruption will forever be forgotten, and death itself will have submitted to the power of the resurrection!

What do you think it will be like to step upon the shores of the New Earth for the first time? How do you suppose the fruit will taste in its season? What new discoveries will be fashioned in the universe, and what new adventures will be awaiting in the earth? If God gave mankind the joy and thrill of exploration in this earth, how much more the next! Even the most breathtaking views in our present earth will seem as mundane in the next!

Does this not excite you, Beloved? Does this not give you the great expectation when you consider all that God has in store for you in the life to come?

So great will your glory be, that the former things then— which are the current things now — will be altogether forgotten! We will, no doubt, retain knowledge of all the goodness that God has given us in Christ and with each other in this life, but all things affected by sin and death will be forever put away from our minds.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

Let us, therefore, live by faith today in the promises of God but look forward to tomorrow as we wait for the city of God — the day when He makes all things new!

“…for [Abraham] waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”” (Revelation 21:4–5)