The expressions here are very similar to those in Isa. 11:6-9, which also speaks of the restoration brought in through Christ. See note Isa. 11:61.
The expressions here are very similar to those in Isa. 11:6-9, which also speaks of the restoration brought in through Christ. See note Isa. 11:61.
Verses 18-25 reveal that a restoration will be brought in both to Israel and to all things. In this restoration death will be limited, and there will be abundant life and much praise and rejoicing.
cf. 1 Cor. 2:9
According to v. 17 and Isa. 66:22-24, the restoration of Israel and of all things brought in by Christ as the Servant of Jehovah consummates in the new heaven and new earth. After so many things have passed away, what will remain will be the new heaven and new earth with the New Jerusalem (2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 21:1-2).
In the millennial kingdom the Jews will be priests on the earth (Isa. 2:2-3; Zech. 8:20-23), and the overcoming believers will be priests in the heavens (Rev. 20:6). At that time the holy city, New Jerusalem, will comprise only the overcoming Old Testament and New Testament saints but not the Israelites who will be saved at the Lord’s coming back. At the end of the millennium Satan will stir up opposers, mainly from Gog and Magog, to attack the camp of the Jews and the city of the saints, but fire will come down out of heaven to devour them (Rev. 20:9). In the new heaven and new earth after the millennium, the Jews who were saved at the coming of the Lord Jesus will be mingled with the New Jerusalem. Therefore, in the new heaven and new earth, there will be only two peoples. First, there will be the New Jerusalem, composed of both the New Testament believers and the Old Testament saints (Rev. 21:12, 14), who will be God’s sons as the royal family to rule over the nations and as the priests to serve God forever (Rev. 21:7; 22:3, 5), and second, there will be the nations, who will not be regenerated but only restored and who will live on the new earth outside the New Jerusalem to be God’s people (Rev. 21:3, 24-26; 22:2b).
Lit., the God of Amen (twice in this verse); “i.e., the God who turns what He promises into Yea and Amen (2 Cor. 1:20)” (Keil and Delitzsch). See note 2 Cor. 1:203.