Sabbath School Lesson for March 20-26, 2021
Overview of Lesson 13
The final restoration or rebirth of earth was examined by considering these questions:
- Sunday: What does God want to do ultimately for the redeemed? (Isaiah 65)
- Monday: How does God reveal Himself and draw us to Him? (Isaiah 66:1-19)
- Tuesday: How does God use His people for missionary outreach? (Isaiah 66:19-21)
- Wednesday: How does God establish His “new world order”? (Isaiah 66:21)
- Thursday: How does God envision our future worship of Him in the new earth? (Isaiah 66:22-24)
Everyone likes a happy ending to a story. Isaiah does not disappoint us. His last chapters are devoted to the happy ending of our planet. Naturally, the Israelites at the time were just happy for their opportunity to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple, following their long captivity in Babylon. But Isaiah gives us a glimpse of a future restoration that will encompass the whole universe, and will last throughout eternity.
Isaiah 65 and 66 provide intriguing promises that other prophets have shared. John the Revelator and others give us similar hopeful images of this long-awaited time when God’s heavenly Kingdom will be set up on earth and the universe will be eternally safe from sin.
Not only will mercy be evident, but God’s justice will be fully realized when that time comes. All will worship the Creator and recognize Him for who He really is. Satan’s attempts to mar God’s character will be totally eliminated when the earth is restored to its original glory.
Sunday: New Heavens and a New Earth (Isaiah 65:17-25)
Revelation 21:1 begins with the same phrase as Isaiah 65:17–“a new heaven and a new earth”. John saw this new heaven and earth, and in Isaiah, God declares that He is the one who will create them.
Isaiah then pointed out the level of rejoicing that will be there (Isaiah 65:18, 19). And John prophetically validates that by stating that God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4).
The fact that the middle of the passage talks about death (Isaiah 65:20) is a reminder that there is a dual message here. Some of these verses were meant for Israel after their return to Jerusalem. But we also see promises for all of us who await the establishment of God’s new heavenly Kingdom.
The last verse of Isaiah 65 mentioned the wolf and the lamb lying together. We also heard about them in Isaiah 11:6, 7. Even Hosea 2:18 talks about the beasts of the field lying down together. What a peaceful time it will mean for all God’s creatures!
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 65:17-19 and Revelation 21:1-4
- Why must God re-create the earth? How will this affect the rest of the universe?
- Why is joy a prominent feature of the new earth?
- In what way will the former things not be remembered?
Isaiah 65:25, 11:6, 7 and Hosea 2:18
- How do we know that the universe will be safe in the new earth?
- Why do you think a wolf and a lamb were chosen as illustrations here?
Monday: Divine “Magnet” (Isaiah 66:1-19)
We are told who are the ones most drawn to God. Isaiah 66:2, 5 indicates that those who are humble and glorify God are the blessed ones, who survive the cleansing of the earth by fire. They are the ones who “tremble at His word”.
Keep in mind that we don’t just tremble when we are afraid. Other emotions trigger this reaction. Anger can make you tremble. Even love or any strong emotion can make us feel this physical response.
Those who simply go through the motions of worship will not enjoy the full blessings of God’s chosen ones. It is something that must be deeply felt. The experience must infiltrate our innermost being.
When this happens, we are drawn to God in a special way (Isaiah 66:18). This includes all nations. The Gentiles receive a sign of God’s approval by the ones who are sent to preach God’s word to them also (Isaiah 66:19).
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 66:2, 5
- What does it mean to “tremble at His word”?
Isaiah 66:18, 19
- Why is it important to see God’s glory?
Tuesday: Missionaries and Worship Leaders (Isaiah 66:19-20)
This passage in Isaiah is packed with new ideas about offerings and who is called to lead God’s people. First of all, the theme of our missionary outreach is and always has been to declare God’s glory among the Gentiles (Isaiah 66:19). Missionaries are told to go to the far ends of the earth and reach those who have not seen His glory. It was part of Jesus’ great commission (Matthew 28:19, 20).
Isaiah 66:20 says they were to bring their brethren as an offering to God. These “people offerings” are a reminder of how we can and should give ourselves to God. The Levites were, in a sense, offered to God for service. And Paul says we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 66:19 and Matthew 28:19, 20
- How do we declare God’s glory to the world? What are some of the ways we should be doing this?
Isaiah 66:20 and Romans 12:1
- In what way are we living sacrifices to God? What does that mean?
Wednesday: Community of Faith (Isaiah 66:21)
Isaiah presents another reminder of the value God has for all people. He says God would use some of the Gentiles as priests and Levites (Isaiah 66:21). This must have been shocking for the Jews, who had considered themselves “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” for so many years (Exodus 19:6).
Then Peter later affirms God’s promise to the Gentiles. He said they were God’s people. He may have even intended all believers to be included when he said they were “a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9, 10).
Isaiah was speaking of a time when there would be no distinction between Jew and Gentile believers. Paul fully recognized that time had come, when he declared in Galatians 3:28, 29 that we are all one in Christ Jesus. And then again, to the Colossians, he said that there was neither circumcised nor uncircumcised (Colossians 3:11).
The prospect of God’s new world order should help us address any elitism in the leadership of the church. All God’s believers have value in His sight. We need our leaders to perform certain tasks, but it doesn’t affect their standing with God. To Him, we are all on a level playing-field when it comes to our community of faith.
Isaiah 66:21 and 1 Peter 2:9, 10
- What does it mean to be part of the royal priesthood?
- What can we do more of to be a priest for God?
Thursday: So Shall Your Seed and Your Name Remain (Isaiah 66:22-24)
The last three verses in Isaiah contain one of the most wonderful promises in Isaiah’s book. Isaiah 66:22 tells us that when the new heavens and earth are established, “your descendant and your name remain” (NKJV). What a comfort it is to know that our loved ones who survive us are taken care of. What this verse really means is that all who are true followers of God will be there in God’s heavenly Kingdom, and will remain there on a permanent basis.
The next verse (Isaiah 66:23) tells what we’ll be doing in that Kingdom. At regular intervals, we shall come together to worship the Lord, who made our eternal existence with Him possible. These times include Sabbath, but also new moons. Bible scholars aren’t quite sure about these new moons, but some have thought they may be connected with the monthly cycle of the tree of life (Revelation 22:2).
The last verse (Isaiah 66:24) paints a rather dismal picture. The righteous who are saved will witness the unquenchable fire that destroys those who have not followed God. Their corpses will not be a pretty sight. But it should provide closure for the whole universe.
Revelation describes this scene for us also. Revelation 21:2 mentions the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven to this earth. And Revelation 20:9, 10 reveals the fiery destruction that occurs after Satan and his followers surround the city.
Malachi 4:1 also verifies this sad episode that must be included in the plan of salvation. The final judgment will be complete. Justice will have been served, in as merciful a way as God could arrange. Peace and tranquility will finally be guaranteed.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Isaiah 66:22
- What does a promise like this mean to you?
Isaiah 66:23 and Revelation 22:2
- How might these new moons be connected with the tree of life?
- What does it mean that the leaves were for the “healing of the nations”?
Isaiah 66:24, Revelation 21:2, 20:9, 10, and Malachi 4:1
- Why must this final chapter be included in the plan of salvation?
- How important is it for God’s righteous to see the destruction for themselves?
Friday: Final Thoughts
Make no mistake. God is our Creator, but He is also our re-Creator. We are born again spiritually when we accept God, but some day God will cause a new birth experience for our entire planet.
Isaiah doesn’t leave his readers guessing about their future. His prophecies cover more than the immediate future of their return from exile. God reveals to His prophet how the plan of salvation ends for the whole world. The whole universe will reap the benefits of this extravagant, new arrangement. Our faith is not in vain. Our future is secure when we place our lives in His hands.
Our worship, here and now, should reflect, as much as possible, our future worship when we get to heaven. We are often far too reticent in our worship practices. Emotions should soar every time we gather to worship–just as they will in the heavenly realms. Gratitude for what God does for us should make us far more expressive in our church services. Keeping His blessings on our mind throughout the week will transform our lives and our worship.
Next Week: Sabbath: Desire of Nations
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