In the scriptures it was the prophets who spoke of what it would be like for us to begin again, ‘to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God’ (Micah 6.8)

We know we may be able to begin again, but even at our best, what we can accomplish is only partial and temporary. There is a long, long way to go before the work of transformation we hope for is permanent and complete. And it is the prophets, like Isaiah, who help us grasp a vision of God’s promise of a ‘new heavens and a new earth’ and hold on to that promise when all hope is gone.

 

“Behold,

I will create new heavens and a new earth.

The former things will not be remembered,

nor will they come to mind.

But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create,

for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people;

the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days,

or an old man who does not live out his years;

he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth;

he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

They will build houses and dwell in them;

plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

No longer will they build houses and others live in them,

or plant and others eat.

For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people;

my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands.

They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune;

for they will be a people blessed by the LORD,

and their descendants with them.

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

The wolf and the lamb will feed together,

and the lion will eat straw like the ox,

but dust will be the serpent’s food.

They will not harm on all my holy mountain,”

says the LORD. (Isaiah 65. 17-25)

 

In the new world order, that God will establish, the prophets tell us, there will no longer any more tears – or indeed any more cause for tears. The normal causes of pain for the poor will be totally eliminated. Infant mortality will be eliminated. Children will no longer die. Adults will live to a ripe old age. Unemployment, underemployment, and exploitative employment will be eliminated. People will be able to work. Enjoy their work. And get a just reward for their work. Homelessness will be eliminated. People will be able to build their own homes. Live in their homes. And be at peace at last!

 

One Day

 

One day the world will find it’s soul.

One day the body will be made whole.

One day the promise of heaven on earth will come to pass.

One day we’ll sing a blissful song.

We’ll sing it loud. We’ll sing it long.

One day the promise of heaven on earth will come to pass.

 

Don’t know where! Don’t know when!

How it will start! How it will end!

Only know… that heaven on earth… will come again.

One day the planet will be at peace.

One day the people will be at ease.

One day the promise of heaven on earth will come to pass.

 

One day the dollar will rule no more.

One day the gospel will be the lore.

One day the promise of heaven on earth will come to pass.

One day the rich will share with the poor.

One day the poor rejoice for sure.

One day the promise of heaven on earth will come to pass.

 

Don’t know where! Don’t know when!

How it will start! How it will end!

Only know… that heaven on earth… will come again.

One day the planet will be at peace.

One day the people will be at ease.

One day the promise of heaven on earth will come to pass

 

One day (

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

) (sheet music)

 

Dave Andrews