Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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New Creation and Commission From The Risen Lord
Isaiah 65:17-25
Dr. Thomas Philip

Orlando MTC, FL
“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation! And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness. Her people will be a source of joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people. And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more.” (Isaiah 65:17-18 – ESV)
Isaiah prophesies a new world without any of the flaws or malice of the present fallen world. The verses (1-16) preceding today's passage tell who would enjoy the blessings described in verses 17-25. God's judgment will be on those who go after other gods and dishonor Him, while His blessings will be to the remnant who depends on Him and worships Him. This is a reminder to all of us.

The culmination of Isaiah's prophecy of the new heaven and earth is revealed through the risen Lord as described in Revelation Chapters 21 and 22. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”” (Revelation 21:1-4 – ESV) In the new creation through Christ not only that crying and pain are absent but death is also absent – joyful and immortal. The most beautiful thing about this new creation is that God dwells in person with His people eternally.
There is another new creation through the risen Lord when one abides in Jesus and vice versa. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18 – ESV). Those who are made new creations through Christ are assigned the task of bringing others to Him so that they may also enjoy the new heaven and earth – a great responsibility we need to heed and cannot ignore.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, enable us to act on our commission from You. It is possible only with Your help. So, help us  Lord. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“The grass withers, the flower 

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