Can you please explain Isaiah 65:21-25?
Let’s read Isaiah 65:18-25, “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying. No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; for THE CHILD SHALL DIE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD, but the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of My people, and My elect SHALL LONG ENJOY THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking I will hear. The WOLF AND THE LAMB shall feed together, the LION SHALL EAT STRAW like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, says the LORD” (NKJV).
In this wonderful passage we have a partial description of the blessings of Christ’s Millennium Kingdom. Jerusalem, which has been ravaged by war for 1,000s of years (due to Israel’s rebellion against the Lord), will become the capital of the earth. The Lord will rejoice in her and in His people. Besides this, there will be other blessings formerly unknown. We do well to consider them.
1) God will wipe away all tears and weeping will no long be heard (verse 19).
2) Infant mortality and premature death will be a thing of the past, for anyone who dies at the age of 100 will be considered a child (verse 20).
3) The children of Israel will build homes and plant vineyards and they will never be conquered and spoiled by another nation ever again (verses 21-22).
4) The lifespan of God’s elect will be like that of a tree, enabling them to enjoy the works of their hands throughout the whole Millennium (verse 22)
5) Their children will be blessed along with them, living trouble-free lives (verse 23).
6) Their prayers will be answered instantly (verse 24).
7) There will be peace in the animal kingdom, for instead of preying on one another, they will eat food together (verse 25).
There are those who refuse to take this passage literally, teaching that Israel has forfeited the blessings of this prophecy and have been set aside by God permanently. There is no reason NOT to take these words at face value, for God will indeed bless His earthly people as He promised Abraham long ago (see Genesis 12:1-3). That promise is UNCONDITIONAL and will come to pass, “for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). I would encourage you to read all of Romans chapter 11. (319.1) (DO)