In this episode of the Thinking Theologically podcast, Spencer and Jack jump into the plan of God to redeem creation (Genesis 12) and unpack the language of Isaiah 65-66, language that will be picked up by Peter, Paul, and John in the New Testament.

Music:
“Kid Kodi”
Blue Dot Sessions
www.sessions.blue

SHOW NOTES

Episode #36 – New Creation in the Old Testament

Introduction

• We are arguing that heaven is going to be “new heavens and a new earth,” reminiscent of the perfection of God’s original creation. 
• The conclusion of God’s story (i.e., heaven) is going to be a return to the beginning of the story (i.e., the creation of Genesis 1 & 2). 
• Therefore, heaven will have a physical dimension to it. Heaven will be the redemption of the entire human being (spiritual, physical, mental) and the creation itself. 

Listen to our previous episode on New Creation here:

The Old Testament’s Understanding of the Afterlife and Heaven

• The OT does not have a concept of an afterlife with heaven/hell or punishment/reward. The OT believes in some kind of afterlife, but it is very fuzzy and gray. In the OT, everyone, both good and evil, go to Sheol (the place of the dead). 
• Therefore, the OT understanding of reward and punishment is physical, it relates to life right here and now in this physical world. 
  • Blessings and Curses of Deut 28 
• However, the Christian/NT concept of heaven is much more about the conclusion of God’s story than it is about the afterlife. 
• In the OT, we do get images of the conclusion of God’s story. While these images may be incomplete and lack development and understanding of an afterlife/eternity, they do begin to give us a hope of what God is eventually going to do. 

The Start of God’s Plan of Redemption – The Call of Abraham – Genesis 12

• The beginning of God’s plan of redemption
• Promise of a “great nation” (fulfilled in the church)
• The entire earth will be blessed (fulfilled in Jesus) 

Isaiah 65-66

• 65:1–16 – God speaks of coming punishment/reward
  • Those who have been faithful to God will be blessed. They will live in a land blessed by God. 
  • Those who have turned away from God will be cursed. They will go hungry and thirsty and be put to death. 
• 65:17–25 – This future salvation is described with imagery of “new heavens and a new earth”
  • “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth” (17a)
    • Takes us back to Gen 1:1
    • Language will be picked up by Peter and John in Revelation
  • “The former things shall not be remembered or come to mind” (17b)
    • The curses brought about by sin (Gen 3) will be done away with and we will be brought back to pre-Gen 3 creation. A heaven and earth reminiscent of Gen 1-2. 
  • The dwelling place of God’s people is called “Jerusalem” (18–19). 
    • Jerusalem was the location of the temple, the dwelling place of God. The salvation that is to come will be God’s people dwelling forever in God’s city in the presence of God. 
    • Takes us back to the temple imagery of Gen 1. 
    • Language will be picked up by John in Rev 21 when he describes heaven as the “new Jerusalem.” 
  • Humankind’s work is restored (22–23)
  • Shalom is Restored
    • Relationship with God (18–19; 23–24)
    • People (19–20)
    • Creation (25) 
• 66:1–4 – God speaks blessing on those with a “humble and contrite” spirit and curses on those who turned from him. 
• 66:5–13 – Zion/Jerusalem will give birth to the people of God
  • God’s presence/Temple will give birth to his people
  • Birthing imagery will be picked up in the NT
• 66:14–24 – Final Judgment and Salvation
  • God promises to come and “execute judgment” on his enemies. The imagery of God’s judgment is a destructive fire (15–16).
  • Following God’s judgment, he promises to bring together “all nations and tongues” (18, 23). 
    • Takes us back to the call of Abraham in Gen 12
    • Language will be picked up by John in Revelation 
  • All the remaining people will be a part of “the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make” (22).