Worship in the New Earth: Isaiah 66:23 and the Post-Millennium

Isaiah 66:23

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, says the LORD.

The conclusion of Isaiah’s prophecy refers to the period after the Millennium because it describes the eternal state of the new heavens and the new earth where sin and death have been forever destroyed10MR 342.3+2. This glorious reality is realized when the earth is fully restored to its Edenic purity and the redeemed host dwells in the city of God10MR 342.3+2.

The Context of the New Heavens and New Earth

The promise of worshiping from one Sabbath to another is explicitly situated within the creation of the new heavens and the new earthGCB/GCDB 1893, page 515.7+2. While the present world is characterized by sin and the curse, this prophecy looks forward to a renovated world that remains before the Lord foreverSITI September 1, 1887, page 536.10+2.

• A Perpetual State: The new creation is the eternal abode of the saved, where the seed and name of the righteous shall remain as long as the new heavens existChSa 76.2+2.

• The End of Sin: This state is reached only after an end has been made of sin and the wicked have been destroyed forever Psalms 9:5-6GC 545.1.

• A Completed Plan: The Sabbath remains in the new earth as a sign of God’s power in a completed creation, fulfilling His original plan for humanityCAS 26.1+2.

Connection to the New Jerusalem and the Tree of Life

The worship cycle described in Isaiah 66:23 is intimately linked to the features of the New Jerusalem, which is established in the new earth after the thousand years Revelation 21:1ChSa 76.2.

• Monthly Pilgrimage: The redeemed will come up to the holy city every month to partake of the tree of life, which yields its fruit every monthChSa 76.2+2.

• The Tree of Life: Free access to the tree of life is a privilege reserved for those who have entered through the gates into the city, which occurs in the immortal state Revelation 22:14RRCS 16.5+1.

• Weekly Worship: In addition to the monthly visit for the fruit of the tree, the saints assemble every week on the holy Sabbath to worship the CreatorChSa 76.2+2.

Fulfillment in the Immortal State

The prophecy states that "all flesh" shall come to worship, a condition that has never been met in history and cannot be met while the wheat and tares grow togetherGOME 6.3+1.

• Universal Obedience: This unity of worship is only possible in the immortal state, after the harvest at the end of the world has separated the children of the kingdom from the children of the wicked one Matthew 13:37-40GOME 6.3.

• Beyond Human Probation: The Sabbath is seen reaching into a renovated world after human probation has closed and sin is destroyedChSa 77.3+1.

• Eternal Worship: The mention of new moons and Sabbaths serves as a figure for the perpetuity and duration of the saints' glorious worship in the heavenly state throughout all eternityHST July 1, 1840, page 55.1+1.

The Abolition of the Temporal Millennium

The idea of a "temporal millennium" of peace on this present earth before Christ's coming is a fallacy, as the scriptures indicate that wicked men will wax worse and worse until the end 2 Timothy 3:1-42SAT 28.4+1.

• The 6000 Years: The present state of the world is allotted 6000 years, after which the millennial rest begins, leading eventually to the final restoration of the earthLIFIN 17.2+1.

• The Final Kingdom: Christ’s kingdom is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and it is in this eternal, post-millennial kingdom that the worship described by Isaiah truly flourishes Daniel 7:14ARSH April 4, 1854, page 83.1.

• Restoration to Eden: Only after the burning of this world and the removal of the curse can the earth be restored to the perfection and glory where all flesh can observe the Sabbath over the whole globeARSH May 27, 1852, page 12.33+2.