Isaiah 65:17-21 declares, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.”
The one thing we know for sure is that Scripture does not contradict itself in any way. The way you explain this passage would lead us to believe that this passage is the one exception to this rule in Scripture.
I see nothing wrong with that passage and have no idea why you imagine it is something that disagrees with anything I believe. Explain?
The first thing we see in this reading is the time period in view; the Old Testament prophet explains that he is specifically speaking of the “new heavens and a new earth.” This is indisputable and cannot be a matter for theological debate. Whilst there are challenging parts to this passage, we can be sure of the fact that the detail described will be fulfilled in the “new heavens and a new earth.” In fact, the wording is so explicit in relation to the time-period that it removes any ambiguity or uncertainty for the reader on that front. This is the first absolute we can establish with this reading.
Isaiah 65 is speaking about the NHNE, not some imaginary millennium in the future, which none of the OT prophets, Christ or any of the NT writers recognized. What is more: it doesn't say that people die there. Read the original Hebrew.
I hear there is no more curse in heaven? In the verse in this chapter we see someone cursed.
Isaiah 65:16
That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
Isaiah 65:17
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Isaiah 65:18
But be
ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isaiah 65:19
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Isaiah 65:20
There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall
die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old
shall be accursed.
So what this look like to me is that it talks of the future when He creates a new earth. Then it goes back and talks to them right there. 'But be
ye..'
Then is mentions some wonderful things from the 1000 years which is just before He creates that new earth and heaven!
Confirming this we see, as mentioned that there is still a curse in the part about the 1000 years. Further confirming this beyond any doubt, we see death is mentioned and we know for sure there is no more death in the new earth! For the win.
Basically: a child will never become old on the new earth.
No. That 'child' died and was cursed! That is not the new earth period.
What is this telling us?
The exact same thing, only in different terms.
This is called synonymous parallelism. It is telling us that a child will never become old on the new earth. This line reinforces what has just been said. It confirms the thought of the impending reality of no more death in the eternal state for the righteous
If you are correct, then why did the man die and get cursed?
In the NIV it says this
20 "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;
the one
who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere child;
the one who fails to reach a hundred
will be
considered accursed.
It talks about building houses and farming in the chapter after this, confirming it is the 1000 years as well.
Debate in Isaiah 65:20 centers in on the use of the original word yaamuw meaning “die” or “death.” What should we relate it to? Is there indeed “death” on the new earth?
NO there is no more death
What is needed is understanding and the spirit to discern when a passage changes and refers to a different time.