Completely New

In The Republic, Plato attempts to outline a Utopian society. The fifty-year education of the upper class would give the leaders the wisdom to eliminate poverty, live in a just society without lawyers, and rarely send people to war. The wise philosopher-kings would bring about a harmonious society free from the vices common to humankind.

The true removal of vice and creation of a perfect society comes not from philosopher-kings but with the dawning of the New Jerusalem. Here, memories of the troubles of this life will not exist, rejoicing will have no end, and people will have length of days without fear of death. Work will not be futile, and threat of invasion will cease! The Lord Himself promises to answer a prayer before it is spoken. Even the animal kingdom will be in harmony.

The magnitude of pain experienced by so many in this present world is great: legal injustice, financial theft, natural disaster, job loss, cancer, physical abuse, broken marriage, victim of violence, lack of clean water, poverty, disease, malicious and tyrannical rule, mental illness, wayward child, religious or political oppression, the ravages of war, stillbirth, squandering of opportunities for advancement and success, racial discrimination, death of a child, sexual harassment, and much more. Were we to take these memories with us to the next world, we would behold pains for all eternity, and it could hinder our enjoyment of God. But the Lord has promised freedom from pain and sorrow on His great mountain.

Instead of experiencing hurt and destruction, we will rejoice in the Lord forever. Christ will rejoice over the New Jerusalem promised to His people. In peace, Christ will rule over the kingdom that every heart truly longs to see.

Pray with Us

In conclusion of our Scripture study and prayer journey this month, let us come to God with thanksgiving for His power and glory revealed in the book of Isaiah. Let us also praise Him for extending to us, in Christ, His mercy, and grace.

BY Dr. Eric C. Redmond

Dr. Eric C. Redmond serves as a professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and as associate pastor of adult ministries at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Ill. He is married to Pam and they have five children. He is the author of Say It!  Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition (Moody Publishers), Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men's’ Questions about the Church (Crossway), a commentary on Jonah in the Christ-Centered Exposition Series (B&H Publishers), and a study guide on Ephesians in the Knowing the Bible series (Crossway).