In Immanuel's Land

"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: 

and the former shall not be remembered, 

nor come into mind." ― Isaiah 65:17

 

Another world is still to come. 

Eyes of faith catch glimpses in Scripture

of a land that knows only peace.  

Immanuel's land. 

We wait for its creation. 

Our eyes long to behold its King.

 

In this world, 

we have strife, disease, abuse, injustice ― 

This is a world without hope 

for any lasting peace. 

Our hope has never settled here, 

for how could we find fulfilled 

a promise of "things made new" 

in a world such as this? 

No, the Bible teaches us 

that God has to make this world again. 

He has to start over! 

 

And so, our hope looks there, and then. 

Not here . . . and not now.

Hope looks to a time unknown to earth 

but firmly settled in heaven. 

We look forward to the Father's purposed day 

when suddenly, all is made new. 

This hope will be revealed in His Son, 

Jesus. 

He who made the world will make it again. 

 

The world as we know it will be no more; 

the world will be what the Son wants it to be.

"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven."

― Matthew 6:10

"Of the increase of his government and peace 

there will be no end." ― Isaiah 9:7

Hope waits patiently for the day 

when Jesus Christ will reign. 

Anticipation stirs just to dwell on the thought. . .

Oh that He would come again today! 

 

We wait, 

and while we wait, 

living still in this evil world, 

we begin to know the realities of that perfect world, 

which Jesus one day will rule. 

 

For His reign has begun even now,

in the unseen realm of this world.

Day by day it expands, 

in the lives of all who yield allegiance to Him. 

Each time we meekly bow, yielding to our King, 

we experience in this world "no end" of His government. 

 

His government, 

and His peace. 

 

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. . ." 

To know Jesus -- 

this is to know peace. 

He is so fitly called "the Prince of peace." 

Just to invite His presence 

is to experience absolute security, 

though wickedness increases all around us. 

In spite of the evils of the earthly kingdom we dwell in, 

we are much more affected by the glories 

of the heavenly kingdom we're delivered into. 

 

Simply because we trust in Him.

"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

― John 14:27

 

In this world, we're mere strangers . . . 

pilgrims passing through an evil land. 

We "desire a better country, 

that is, an heavenly" (Heb. 11:6).  

Another world is still to come, 

waiting for its coming creation.  

At times, eyes of faith can see that land, 

where the King's banner of love is soaring. 

Our eyes see a beautiful banner of pure scarlet. 

It soars. 

The anthem of Immanuel's land resounds in our hearts, 

pealing forth the glory of His cross. 

It sings. 

 

Oh that such a vision would always fill our hearts! 

Many things trouble our hearts here on earth, 

but Jesus told us not to be afraid, 

for He promised one day those things 

won't even be remembered. 

They will never again come to our minds, 

for we will be totally consumed 

with our King in His beauty,

as He sits and reigns as sole Sovereign,

in Immanuel's land. 

 

Until then, 

may we dwell in His peace every day, 

pressing forth on our journey to heaven above 

under the banner of His great coming kingdom. 

 

May His kingdom 

have its increase in our hearts, 

until He comes, 

when all earth and heaven 

will know the glory of His reign!

 

The sands of time are sinking;

The dawn of heaven breaks;
The summer morn I've sighed for,
The fair sweet morn awakes;
Dark, dark has been the midnight,
But dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land. 

― Samuel Rutherford