Many people assume that the days when God created and brought something new into the universe are, in fact, long gone. It seems, however, that this perspective is not entirely accurate, for God is constantly bringing something new into His created universe. It is this sense of newness and God’s creative power that we can clearly see in the passage we are reading today,    “Indeed, I am creating a new heaven and a new earth,” thus God plainly declares His work of restoration to Israel and the whole world. This restoration spreads from Jerusalem to the whole world, affirming that the people’s suffering will not last for ever. 

God therefore invites the whole world to rejoice and shout for joy at the salvation He has wrought. Life will be fought for and brought about by God. This is the proof and fulfilment of God’s promise, which has been declared from the very beginning. God’s creative power also restores the order of human life. Whereas previously justice was a rare commodity and oppression was rife, now the Lord is in the midst of His people to bring about justice and well-being (vv. 21–23). Peace is perfectly realised through His work. Ultimately, God’s people are invited to come and worship Him and to build intimacy with God. 

Dear Friends of the Bible, awaiting the new earth and new heavens is, in truth, the calling of our journey of faith. We are moved by God’s work, which continually creates and renews the universe. The realisation of the new earth and new heavens is unfolding in a long process. We are God’s people, invited to help bring about values and circumstances that clearly reflect the new heavens and the new earth. In other words, there is always hope in this world, which is so often beset by various trials.