Isai. lxv. 17, 18. Behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create : for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
WHEN our blessed Saviour came into the world, his advent was thus announced by angels to some poor shepherds ; " Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people : for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Next to that in point of import- ance, and next to it as a ground of joy, is the infor- mation which I have to communicate to you this day, relative to a new creation, in which that same adorable Saviour will display the full benefits of his redemp- tion, even of that redemption which, at his first advent, he accomplished in the world: " Behold," says God, " I create new heavens, and a new earth." Permit me, then to call your attention to,
I. The glorious prospect that is here set before us — The language here used is doubtless exceeding strong, more especially when we consider to what an apparently small event it, in the first instance, refers. It refers to the restoration and conversion of God's ancient people, the Jews: " I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy." But, when viewed in its connexion with all its consequences, it will be found to deserve the title here given it, " A creating of new heavens and a new earth."
The event itself will be most glorious —
[In a temporal view, it will be great. The Jews, beyond all reasonable doubt, will be restored to their own land ; and enjoy there a state of prosperity not known by them even in
the most favoured periods of their history a
In a spiritual view, it will be greater still. Their conversion to God will be attended with a very extraordinary measure
of true piety b In fact, it will eclipse all that was ever
known amongst them, unless perhaps amongst a few of their most eminent saints ; " for the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven-fold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound0." As for former things, though glorious in their day, as the stars in the absence of both sun and moon, yet they shall pass away
a Compare ver. 20 — 23. with Amos ix. 13 — 15. and Isai. lx. 17, 18.
b Ezek. xxxvi. 24—28. c Isai. xxx. 26.