Which New Testament passages echo the restoration themes found in Ezekiel 36:35? Original Promise: Ezekiel 36:35 “Then they will say, ‘This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the cities once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’” New Testament Echoes of Ezekiel 36:35 “Repent therefore, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you. Heaven must receive Him until the time comes for God to restore all things, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.” • Peter ties personal repentance to the coming “restoration of all things,” echoing the land’s renewal in Ezekiel. “The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” • Paul portrays all creation moving from desolation to freedom—parallel to waste places becoming like Eden. “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’” • “Renewal of all things” (palingenesia) looks ahead to the comprehensive makeover Ezekiel envisioned. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!” • Individual hearts become “Eden-like,” foreshadowing worldwide restoration. “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.” • Christ’s reconciling work spans “all things,” the cosmic reach hinted at in Ezekiel’s land promise. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more… And the One seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” • The ultimate fulfillment: a renewed creation, cities radiant and secure—Ezekiel’s language on a global scale. “Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life… On either side of the river stood a tree of life… No longer will there be any curse.” • Garden of Eden imagery—river, tree of life, removal of the curse—directly mirrors Ezekiel’s “garden” promise. Connecting the Dots - Ezekiel’s vision looked ahead to a literal, physical transformation of Israel’s land. - The New Testament widens that hope: personal hearts (2 Corinthians 5:17), the people of God (Acts 3:19-21), and finally the entire created order (Romans 8:19-21; Revelation 21-22) will be renewed. - In Christ, the garden-like restoration begins now and will culminate when He returns and “makes all things new.” |
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