“See, I will create
    new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
    nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
    in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
    and its people a joy.
 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
    and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
    will be heard in it no more.

Isaiah 65:17-19

Gordon Fee referred to the time we are living in now as the “Already/Not Yet” meaning that the work of Christ is complete and salvation is available for us, but we have not fully experienced all that God will provide in the “new heaven and new earth.”

Isaiah’s view of the future is absolutely hopeful and mirrors the words of John in Revelation –

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:1-5

These are words that should encourage us as we look forward to what is ahead for each of us who follows Christ.