THE EARTH RESTORED by William Covert

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 13, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 40.

THE EARTH RESTORED.

By William Covert

BY ELDER WM. COVERT.

THE restoration of the earth is as truly included in the plan of redemption as is the salvation of the believer. According to the promise of God, we look for a new earth, or the earth made new. 2 Peter 3:13.

The promise in the above reference is found in Isa. 65:17: "Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth." In commenting upon this promise the apostle shows that the new earth in the text is but our earth renewed. The world and the earth as it now is must pass away in the desolating fires of the judgment day, like unto the passing away of the antediluvian world in the waters and upheavals of the deluge. Yet beyond that period of general dissolution and destruction is seen the earth made new and glorious. It was in the earth redeemed that Peter said the righteous should dwell. It is this earth that shall be received according to the promise.

Upon Patmos John was shown scenes of surpassing interest relative to the future of the earth and its inhabitants. In his description of the same he says the earth and the heavens were new; the holy city was seen coming down from God out of heaven. The people were all happy. No pain was there, neither sorrow nor crying. He tells us that he heard Him who was seated on the throne call to His people to "BEHOLD." He

was going to do a thing for which they had long been waiting and watching.

The time at which this particular view was placed was just when the devouring fire had expended its force upon the wicked. The earth itself was in a charred, blackened condition,—a sad and terrible picture of desolation. The redeemed were looking at the sorry picture which it then presented. They seemed to have taken their position by invitation for this purpose: "Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth." Ps. 46:8.

As their attention was all enlisted to see what was about to be done, the Creator said to them, "I make all things new." Rev. 21:5. They looked with all the powers of their immortal vision, and had the privilege of seeing with their own eyes the whole face of the earth changed into a world of life and beauty, exceeding even that which Adam saw before the fall.

The saints will actually see the new earth created or the earth recast from the materials of the old one; and while their eyes are for the first time feasting upon its loveliness, Jesus is heard to say unto them, "It is done." He will then remind them of his purpose from the beginning, and his subsequent promises to fulfill all that purpose, saying, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." Then he will tell them that all this beauty and the glory and the riches that they can behold are theirs. They shall inherit it all. See verses 6, 7.

Aided by the eye and the pen of the prophet, we can see over there. The desert is a blooming garden, and in it the birds are singing: "It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon." Isa. 35:2.

There those who were once feeble have become strong; those once blind, there shall see. The deaf shall hear, and the dumb shall talk. There the crooked shall be straight, and the lame be made to leap. There will be no more parched ground nor barren soil. Neither will any ravenous beast be there. It is of the earth in this restored condition that the prophet writes when he says, "The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isa. 35:10.

They could not return to a place unless they had once been there. This coming to Zion is the return of the redeemed to the earth after the curse of sin has been wiped away, and the joy of eternity settled there. Then the ravenous nature of the wolf, the bear, the leopard, and the lion will be seen no more. They again will be as when they dwelt in Eden before Adam lost paradise. The prophet says:—

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox." Isa. 11:6, 7.

He who truly believes in and enjoys the love and power of God, will take great pleasure in contemplating the glories of that age when the righteousness of God will prevail, and all the Creator’s works will be made to praise him.

"For the Lord shall comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." Isa. 51:3.

When the earth was cursed for man’s sake, it was to bring forth thorns and thistles; but these will not be seen in the earth renewed. "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree." Isa. 55:13.

The offer is yet open for the homeless wanderer of Adam’s race to secure an abiding place in the earth reclaimed from the ravages of sin. This possession has been purchased by the blood of Jesus, but only for those who are willing to come by the way of the cross. Those who will have Christ to rule over and abide in them will inherit that happy land. Yet a little while, and the meek will be there.