Life after the Tribulation

tribulation Photo credit: AZAdam

Life after the Tribulation

Enough Tribulation. More Twirling!

Isaiah 65:16-25

By Craig C. White

What will life be like after the tribulation period? When Jesus returns to earth after the 7 year tribulation period he will restore the land and nation of Israel. Things will be quite different then. This entire passage contrasts the difference in day to day life between the Tribulation period, and post tribulation Israel. Some verses may apply to the period after Christ’s millennial reign. I have literally translated many verses. They will be indicated by “Lit”.

Isa 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.

The word translated “earth” can refer to the whole earth or a particular land. In this case we are talking about a specific land. Previous verses reference locations in Israel, which indicates that this passage is directed toward the land of Israel. It is specifically directed to the city of Jerusalem in Isaiah 65:18, 19, & 25. Jesus will live in Jerusalem and things will be much different (Zec 8:3). So Lit; the person who will be blessed in Israel will be the person who honors God. A person won’t be blessed through business or government, but through loving God. The phrase “of truth” is the word “amen”. Lit; the person who takes an oath (swears seven times) will make that promise by God. This will happen on account that the life of adversity of our ancestors will be forgotten. The old adversity will be concealed from God’s sight.

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

The word “new” doesn’t necessarily mean not in existence before, but it probably means refreshed or restored. “Not be remembered” doesn’t mean that you are incapable to remember; but instead that old troubles will not be mentioned, neither brought to mind.

Isa 65:18-19 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. 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.

You might say that instead of thinking about the old troubles you had, you will be happy and show it by Lit; twirling about with joy! You will do this “for the duration of eternity”. God will personally remake Jerusalem into a wonderful place of mirth. Lit; the loud outcry of sorrow or the loud shriek of terror will not be heard anymore, as they had been heard in the past. They had been heard recently during the Great Tribulation.

Isa 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.

This entire passage has been contrasting the difference in day to day life between tribulation period, and post tribulation Israel. OK folks, here is something that is quite different. Lit; There shall no longer be accomplished there at that time a baby of a few days old (or a baby will not die as an infant), nor an old man who has not fulfilled his own days (an old man will not die before his entire natural life span is complete). During the tribulation period many babies and old men are killed in Israel. It will be different in the days following the Tribulation. Lit; the young (pre-adolescent) child shall die when he is one hundred years old. Wow, this seems to be saying that it will take over one hundred years for a child to reach adolescence. Perhaps this was the way of life after Eden? If we take a more figurative view (although I don’t see any reason to do so) perhaps this passage is saying that a one hundred year life span will be considered very short. Let me state the obvious. Children will be born during Christ’s reign on earth. Lit; but the person who misses the mark when they reach one hundred years of age shall be brought into contempt. If a person doesn’t honor God by the time they reach one hundred years old they will be judged by being sent to the lake of fire.

Isa 65:21-23 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

God will plant Israel in their own land and care for them. The people will bless God and nothing will disrupt them forever (Mic 4:4).

Lit; they will begin to build houses and settle in them. Their vineyards seem to be attached to their homes. Lit; God’s chosen people will eat the fruit of their own gardens. Foreigners will not consume their fruit. They will build houses and foreigners will not take them. This contrasts life today. Israel has given much land and houses to foreigners, most notably on the west bank of the Jordan River and in Gaza. They most likely will give up much more during the tribulation period. During the millennial reign of Christ the Jewish people will Lit; wear out the consuming of the fruit of their labors. They will not work to exhaustion for nothing in return, neither will they bear children to bring them into terror or destruction; they are the planted ones who bless God, along with their own children who are near to them.

Isa 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

God will Lit; interrupt their prayers by answering them. While they are arranging their words, God will consent to their requests. God will be attentive to the desires of their hearts (Psa 37:4).

Isa 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Wolfs and lambs will feed together in the flock. They will peacefully cohabitate. The lion’s diet will be hay just like the cattle eat. Snakes will eat dirt. No wild animals will hurt anything at all in Jerusalem (Isa 11:6-9). In those days God will make Jerusalem into a high mountain (Mic 4:1). His people will live on the sloping plains all around (Zec 14:10-11).

These promises are given to God’s chosen people, Israel. By faith and repentance every believer shares in their blessings.

Gal 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Ladies and Gentlemen: If you find yourselves in Israel after the tribulation, you either went through the horrors of the tribulation or you have just arrived in Israel with Jesus Christ. Church age believers were taken to heaven during the Rapture 7 years earlier. As a Church age believer you have returned to earth from heaven with Jesus. You do realize that believers will spend eternity on Earth and not in Heaven. What will life be like after the tribulation period? Life after the tribulation will be heaven on earth!

Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.