New and Old Earth

This lesson as any subject-centered teaching of the scripture should begin with the scripture that is easiest to understand in its contextual setting. There are three times that the new earth is spoken of in the scriptures, therefore we will begin with Isaiah sixty-five wherein we read in verse eight, 'As new wine is found in a cluster, and one saith, destroy it not: for a blessing is in it'. This verse sets the stage for the lesson to follow wherein the elect will inherit the mountains of the Lord. The elect under consideration herein is those that will inherit the new earth found in verse seventeen. Notice it did not say mountain singular, but mountains plural, referring to many assemblies, or true gospel churches. If this teaching is about eternal glory wherein all of God's children will, when time is no more, live in the presence of the Lord, then it would have been recorded as a single mountain. He also speaks of creating Jerusalem as a place of rejoicing. We find in Galatians 4:25 where Paul contrast this place (new Jerusalem -Rv 3:12, 21:3) with the one in Israel, as being in bondage with her children (Hb 2:15). In other words Jerusalem, which is in the old earth, is still in bondage to the law of her Husband, Jehovah (Jr 31:32, Rm 7:4), while the one which came down from above, and without observation (Jh 4:21, Lk 17:20) is free. We read in (Mt 5:5) where the meek shall inherit the earth (New Jerusalem), or spiritual Canaan. The inheritance (earth, Canaan) was given unconditional to natural Israel, but to enjoy the blessing found therein they had to possess it (Du 1:8). Likewise we in the grace age must strive to enter in the strait gate (7:13), by seeking first the kingdom (Mt 6:33). Many times when I am feeling cast out and seemingly wandering in the wilderness I go to the thirty-seventh division of Psalm and find that I should be leaning upon my Husband's breast and trusting in his care. I fret over so many little things, that I become ashamed of myself. I am told herein that I should delight myself in his sweet embrace, and not lean to mine own understanding. The earth spoken herein is the one the bride of Christ hath inherited (New Jerusalem, or spiritual Canaan). Oh! That I could commit my ways unto him who has blessed me so much: then I could say as the Shunamite woman who is called 'great', It is well. Matthew (18:1) also tells us that unless we become 'submissive' humbled as a little child we can never enter into the blessing of this new heaven (upper room). This lesson here in Isiah sixty-five concludes with 'mine elect shall long enjoy the works of his hands.' In as much as works is a part of this lesson, it is excluded from being a lesson about heaven and immortal glory.

As I have mentioned Revelation chapter twenty-one above, I will set forth my understanding of the lesson taught therein, as I believe it agrees with Isaiah. We find in Hb 8:13 'Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away'. Here in Rv 21 the apostle John writes as though the first had already passed away. 'I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was not more sea.' Yes the old earth was in the process of being replaced with the new. At the time of the closing out of the second day of Hs 6:1, Jesus came to tear down the old because of the iniquity of the Jews (Ga 4:4). and just as God did not premit natural Israel to inherit the old earth (Canaan): until the einquities of the Amorites (Ge 15:16) were full, he would not premit the new earth to be inherited until the old earth was judged and closed out in seventy AD. As recorded in Isaiah he would take a seed (Jews) and plant them in a fruitful hill (Is 5:1). This seed, which is Christ and his bride (Ga 3:16), wherein the new wine (Jh 2:9), is given unto the little flock (Lk 12:32). This new earth must wait until the canons were completed, and the sign gifts ceased, the iniquities of the Jews would then be judged and the new earth being weaned (Ge 21:8), delivered out (Rv 12:6, Mt 24:31) of the destruction of the Judgment to come upon the old earth, which will pass away (Mt 24:35). The bride of Christ, now mature, was able to function without the apostles and sign gifts, having the two witnesses, at which time there would no longer be a physical land nor sea. The first witness being that of the law written upon the heart of those called as witnesses of the truth (Mt 22:3), and the second being the preached gospel in the power and demonistration of the spirit. We must realize that many who are called, added (Acts 2:47), betrothed (Ho 2:19) unto the Son will not come (Mt 22:6). This being true, he has chosen a few (Mt 22:14), remnant (Rm 9:29) that by the providence and chasting rod of their loving Husband will, (so to speak having hooks in their noses and a bridle in their lips [Is 37:29]), be kept in the way.

Rv 21:2 'I saw the Holy city (Ga 4:26) new Jeruslam coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.' Notice where this new earth is coming from. It is not going up but coming down out of heaven. He continues to tell us that it is now with man, and the bride will be dwelling, abiding (1 Jh 2:27) in him as their husband. The next few verses seem to express a condition that seemingly does not exist here in time. I will beg to differ with them for if one has ever experienced the kingdom, upper room, wherein they are premitted from time to time to sup, dine with their husband at the king's table (2 Sa 9:13) then they would know that the world and all that matters in this life becomes pale during this time. Just as Joshua and Caleb overcame in the wilderness, likewise the remnant by prayer, study, and medication, the sceptre perhaps will be held forth (Es 4:11) that having gathered in the assembly may be premitted to enter and dine with our husband in his kingdom. Again in verse seven we find the need to overcome (work) to enjoy the inheritance herein. This could not be speaking of eternal glory. He goes on in verse eight to show how those who turn away (Hb 6:4, 10:29), having experienced the blessings found in the new covenant, now are cast out having died to these blessed truths. In Rv 20:5 having died to the fellowship of God in Adam, then been blessed to be a part of the first resurrection, now are cast out into outer darkness (Mt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30), and themself to have now experienced the second death. This chapter closes out with a fearful warning to those who have been so blessed to have enjoyed the truth, and turn away unto another gospel, which is not good news, are now again in the bondage of the work systems of the world.

Second Peter chapter three teaches the same thing. For my position on it go to my writing on 2 Peter 3. To open this you must first open the Sept tab.