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THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH
WHEN our blessed Saviour came into the world, his advent was thus announced by angels to some poor shepherds; “Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people: for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Next to that in point of importance, and next to it as a ground of joy, is the information which I have to communicate to you this day, relative to a new creation, in which that same adorable Saviour will display the full benefits of his redemption, even of that redemption which, at his first advent, he accomplished in the world: “Behold,” says God, “I create new heavens, and a new earth.” Permit me, then to call your attention to,
I. The glorious prospect that is here set before us—
The language here used is doubtless exceeding strong, more especially when we consider to what an apparently small event it, in the first instance, refers. It refers to the restoration and conversion of God’s ancient people, the Jews: “I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.” But, when viewed in its connexion with all its consequences, it will be found to deserve the title here given it, “A creating of new heavens and a new earth.”
The event itself will be most glorious—
[In a temporal view, it will be great. The Jews, beyond all reasonable doubt, will be restored to their own land; and enjoy there a state of prosperity not known by them even in the most favoured periods of their history [Note: Compare ver. 20–23. with Amo_9:13-15 and Isa_60:17-18.] — — —
In a spiritual view, it will be greater still. Their conversion to God will be attended with a very extraordinary measure of true piety [Note: Eze_36:24-28.] — — — In fact, it will eclipse all that was ever known amongst them, unless perhaps amongst a few of their most eminent saints; “for the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven-fold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound [Note: Isa_30:26.].” As for former things, though glorious in their day, as the stars in the absence of both sun and moon, yet they shall pass away so as no more to be remembered: “The ark of the covenant itself, that peculiar symbol of the divine presence, shall no more be visited by them, or remembered amongst them; Jerusalem itself being the throne of the Lord [Note: The text, with Jer_3:16-17.],” and “God himself the light and glory thereof [Note: Isa_60:18-19.].”]
This may fitly be called “new heavens, and a new earth.”—
[So St. Peter calls it, doubtless in reference to this very passage; “We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness [Note: 2Pe_3:13.].” And by many it is thought, that to this very period St. John refers, when, in the Apocalyptic vision, he saw it, as it were, accomplished before his eyes; “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven; saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them; and they shall be his people; and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for all these words are true and faithful [Note: Rev_21:1-5.].” Doubtless, in its literal extent, this passage will never be fulfilled till we get to heaven; because, in this world, “death” will continue to reign, till its power shall be destroyed at the resurrection-day. But as the destruction of Jerusalem was a type of the destruction of the wicked in the day of judgment; so will the constructing of the New Jerusalem be a very glorious representation of the felicity of heaven: yea, so bright a picture will the one be of the other, that the same language may well be applied to both, and both be designated as “a creation of new heavens and a new earth.”]
And what, think ye, are,
II. The feelings with which it should be contemplated?
God himself declares this great event to be a source of joy even to his own soul: “I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people:” nay, he says, that “he will rejoice over them with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over them with singing [Note: ver. 19. with Zep_3:17.].” Surely then it becomes us to rejoice also, yea, and to shout for joy,
1. For the benefits that will be conferred on God’s ancient people—
[Long have they been the most degraded and despised of all people. At this very day are they classed with swine, in an impost laid upon them even by Christians [Note: At Frankfort, in Germany, there is still (August 1827) a toll paid by them for going over a bridge: and on the ticket which they present is inscribed, “For the passage of Jews and swine.” A line is indeed drawn across the word “swine;” but the word is as plain and legible as ever.]. But the day is coming when they will be the first and head of all nations; “their righteousness going forth as brightness, and their salvation as a lamp that burneth [Note: Isa_62:1.];” and “all their enemies bowing down themselves at the soles of their feet [Note: Isa_60:14.].” And what is God’s command to us in reference to that event? “Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower carts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein; for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel [Note: Isa_44:23.].” So, in another place: “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy, all ye that mourn for her; that ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with, the abundance of her glory [Note: Isa_66:10-11.].”]
2. For the benefits that will accrue to the whole world—
[The conversion of the Jews will be the signal for an outpouring of blessings upon the rest of mankind: yea, “it shall be as life from the dead to the whole world [Note: Rom_11:12; Rom_11:15.].” And can we contemplate this without the liveliest joy? Turn to the 98th Psalm; and there you will see what ought to be the feelings of universal nature, in the prospect of this great event [Note: Psa_98:1-9.] — — —]
3. For the honour that will arise to God himself—
[Then will he be glorified as he never yet was, even from the foundation of the world [Note: Jer_33:9.]. Then will all his eternal counsels be completed, yea, and all his perfections be glorified. Did God from eternity choose that people to himself? Did he plant them as a beauteous olive for himself? Did he, for their unfruitfulness, break off the branches, and graft us Gentiles in? And will he, in that day, graft in again his afflicted people, and cause the whole tree to flourish in unrivalled beauty to endless ages? Will he thus display before the whole universe the greatness of his power, and the immutability of his grace? I say, then, the prospect of this is a just ground of joy. The angels in heaven contemplate it with joy [Note: Rev_11:15-17.]: and we also should begin that song which shall most assuredly be sung by all the Church on that blessed occasion: “Praise ye the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done marvellous things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, them inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee [Note: Isa_12:4-6.].”]
Address—
1. Those who have never yet tasted of this joy—
[How many, alas! are there of this description! On account of personal and national benefits, you all have, at some time, rejoiced: but, in the prospects we have been contemplating, you have taken no interest. The conversion of one single soul fills all the angels in heaven with delight; but the conversion and salvation of millions is passed over by you, as unworthy of a thought. See, then, how unlike ye are to the character of real saints, and how little ye resemble God! Indeed, indeed, if ye continue so regardless of the happiness of God’s Church below, ye can have no hope of participating in the blessedness of his Church above.]
2. Those who have reason to hope that this new creation is already begun in them—
[“Every true Christian is, in fact, a new creation [Note: 2Co_5:17.]:” he is “God’s workmanship,” as truly as the material heavens are [Note: Eph_2:10.]. Then I appeal to you, whether you have not found occasion for joy in your own soul? Is it no ground for joy that you have obtained reconciliation with God through the blood of his dear Son; and a renovation of your souls through the operation of his Holy Spirit? Or rather, I must ask, Have you not, “by believing in Christ, been brought to rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and glorified [Note: 1Pe_1:8.]?” Then I need not urge you to forward this same blessed work in the souls of others: you need only be shewn how you may be instrumental in diffusing through the world the knowledge of Christ, and you will of yourselves be ready to employ all that you have, and all that you are, in this blessed cause [Note: 2Co_8:1-4.].]