Isaiah Chapter 66 — The New Heavens and the New Earth
Isaiah 66 describes God's final judgment and the creation of a new heaven and earth, where all nations are gathered to worship Him in Jerusalem.
1The LORD says:
2For my hand has made all these things,
3He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man;
4I also will choose their delusions,
5Hear the LORD’s word,
6A voice of tumult from the city,
7“Before she travailed, she gave birth.
8Who has heard of such a thing?
9Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?” says the LORD.
10“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her.
11that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts;
12For the LORD says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
13As one whom his mother comforts,
14You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice,
15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire,
16For the LORD will execute judgment by fire and by his sword on all flesh;
17“Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, following one in the middle, eating pig’s meat, abominable things, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together,” says the LORD.
18“For I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes that I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come, and will see my glory.
19“I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.
20They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into the LORD’s house.
21Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says the LORD.
22“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me,” says the LORD, “so your offspring and your name shall remain.
23It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me,” says the LORD.
24“They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Isaiah 66:13
“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
This verse uses a tender maternal metaphor to describe God's care and the restoration of His people.
Isaiah 66:22
“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, says the LORD, so your offspring and your name shall remain.”
It establishes the eternal nature of God's new creation and the enduring legacy of His followers.
Isaiah 66:23
“It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me, says the LORD.”
This verse envisions a future where all humanity participates in regular, unified worship of God.
Chapter Summary
Isaiah 66 serves as the concluding vision of the book, emphasizing God's transcendence and His desire for a humble heart over empty ritual. The Lord rejects insincere sacrifices, comparing them to abominations, while promising comfort to those who tremble at His word. Jerusalem is depicted as a mother giving birth to a nation in a single day, bringing forth peace like a river and comfort for her people. The chapter transitions into a global perspective, where God sends messengers to distant nations—including Tarshish, Pul, and Lud—to declare His glory. It concludes with the promise of a new heaven and a new earth that will endure forever, inviting all mankind to worship regularly before the Lord from one Sabbath to another, while also warning of the eternal consequences for those who transgress against Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
The new heavens and new earth represent a permanent, divinely created restoration of the universe. The text describes this new creation as remaining forever before the Lord, ensuring that the names and offspring of His people also endure.
The chapter explains that God will gather all nations and languages to see His glory. He sends survivors as messengers to distant lands like Tarshish and Javan to declare His fame, and these nations eventually bring people from all over the world to God's holy mountain in Jerusalem.
The text suggests that God values a humble and contrite heart over ritualistic sacrifice. It contrasts those who tremble at His word with those who perform insincere rituals or follow abominable practices, stating that the latter will face judgment.
Study Note
Isaiah 66 is notable for its use of maternal imagery to describe God’s relationship with His people, which is a distinctive rhetorical feature in the context of Old Testament prophecy.
Related Chapters
Revelation 21
Both chapters provide a detailed vision of the new heavens and the new earth.
Acts 7
Stephen quotes the opening verses of Isaiah 66 to discuss the nature of God's dwelling place.
Matthew 5
Jesus references the concepts of Heaven as God's throne and Earth as His footstool during the Sermon on the Mount.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.