How Knowning the Future Influences How We Live in the Present

The following reflection is in light of Isaiah 65:17-25, which I preached on this past Sunday at our church, Redemption Church.

I had this constant problem when I was a middle and high school student. And let me know if you were like this too. My teacher would assign books for us to read, some of which were very long. And I hated reading. So, I devised this really, super, clever trick of reading the last few pages of the book to know how the book would end. Was anyone else like this? I was too busy playing roller hockey, PlayStation, and learning how to shave to really invest energy into reading books…especially, ones over 100 pages or so. I found that when I read the last few pages of the book I knew where the book was going. So, when I read the book from the beginning, it changed how I read the book. Knowing the conclusion which seemed way off in the future, changed how I read the book in the present.

The same is true for when we read Scripture. Because I have read what Scripture says will happen in the future, I can know in the present that in Jesus’ death and resurrection God has enacted the beginning of new creation and will follow it to completion.

When we read Isaiah 65, 2 Corinthians 5, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21, we see the tension of the “already-not yet.” Thus, the “not-yet” helps us realize that we must wait patiently for the completion of new creation but also work towards bringing new creation into the present. If the follower of Jesus knows the end, it should completely change how he or she lives in the present. If peace is part of the end, he or she must work for peace now. If justice is part of the end, he or she must work for justice now; if mercy, mercy; if love, love.

How will I treat my coworkers? How will I treat my boss? What will I do with my life? What will I listen to, watch, entertain myself with? How will I show love to my wife? My kids? My friends? Will you live at peace with your annoying aunt and uncle during Thanksgiving? How can you go about living in peace and love with those you live with? If a glimpse of the future has been revealed to you, how much changes in your present life?

In Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has enacted the beginning of new creation and will follow it to completion. Jeru-Shalom will be Jeru-Shalom—what it was meant to be! You are and will be adopted as children—who you were meant to be! The creation will be transformed to new creation—what it was meant to be!—wolf lying with lamb, lions eating straw, a place without destruction and hurt. And if that’s the case, how does that change how I live now?