Isaiah 42:9 (NASB)
Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.
Bible Commentary
Isaiah 42:9 is a Bible verse from the Old Testament, where God is declaring through the great prophet, Isaiah, the things which are past and the great things to come.
Before Christ, Isaiah is used to declare God’s message and promise of the coming Messiah, but if you take the time to study Isaiah 42:9, you’ll discover it is also an exciting promise for the present, as well.
God’s word, the Bible, is always fresh; never outdated or dull. Supernaturally, He lives and moves through it continually (John 1:1).
A study of the words “former things” in Isaiah 42:9 reveals some very interesting things. The Hebrew meanings are: first, in place, time or rank, past. Doing a study of the root words from this definition revealed these meanings: to shake; the head, whether literally or figuratively (in many applications, of place, time, rank); beginning, company, X poor, principal, ruler.
When God says the “former things” have come to pass, He is referring to the curse from the Garden of Eden, the punishment upon man for his sin. The “new things” originally referred to the coming of Jesus Christ, Who was sent to remove the sins of the world, to be our Saviour for all who would believe on Him.
Jesus became sin and was nailed to the cross as payment for our sins (Galatians 3:13). The curse is gone, and ever since His death, we have been awaiting Jesus’ return—the second coming.
However, if you look at the current order of the world, you can see that evil works of darkness are still quite active, as it states in Ephesians 2:2. Stay with me. This is the exciting part. Hebrews 12:26 says, “…Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.”
Unlocking the Truth – Second Coming
God is shaking up the heavens, the current dominion over the earth, in preparation of Jesus’ return. The devil is referred to as ruler, and his kingdom is referred to as principalities (Ephesians 2 and Ephesians 6). (See the definition of “former things” above.)
Now, let’s also look at the phrase “new things.” In Hebrew, it means: new, fresh. The root word definition means: to be new, to rebuild – renew, repair.
Jesus taught the disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” God is building His kingdom here on earth in preparation for Jesus’ return.
Jesus was a carpenter when he was here as a man. So then, it makes sense that in order to re-build something in us, the old must first be demolished or “shaken up” to renew or re-build in its place. In order to build that new thing in us, He must clear out the old and outdated. We mustn’t be alarmed when our lives feel out of control. God is always in control, and He is a good God.
Renew and Rebuild
God is telling us that He is shaking up the things in the heavens–current ruler and principalities (the devil’s dominion), clearing it out—in order to re-build and renew His House. His will is being done on earth as it is in Heaven–in every person and in every nation! Hallelujah!!
Revelation 12:12 says, “…Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”
The current destruction we see in the world is merely a cloak for the devil’s intense wrath. His time is coming to an end. (2 Timothy 3).
Jesus is coming. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Mark 14:62 says, “And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Study the Bible verse of Isaiah 42:9, and ask God to open your eyes to the truth of His second coming–in you and in the world. He is returning, even now. No greater joy exists than to know Christ’s return upon the earth.
