Repeatedly through life one hears older people commenting on how they desire the energy of youth. That, I suppose, it how the saying came about, “Youth is wasted on the young.” Some years ago I read a book by Dr. Jay E. Adams (one of my favourite authors) that explored the issues of creativity and insight in counselling. Unfortunately the book was borrowed and I still don’t have a copy of my own so I can’t remember the exact title. Toward the very end of that book he explored the meaning of a Greek word that has had a profound impact on my thinking regarding the Christian life here in this world and in glory. So without further suspense, let me get straight into it.

The word considered is the Greek word kainos. This word is an accurate depiction of the thing older people perceive themselves to have lost when they long for the energy of youth. A person who has become frail longs for the kind of enthusiasm and drive and passion young people have, and also the body in which to express that youthful vigour. The Greek word kainos (in its different forms) is used extensively in the New Testament and Septuagint. In Matthew 13:52, Mark 2:21 and Luke 5:36 this word is used in contrast to something that is old. It is translated new. In John 13:34 the Lord speaks of a new commandment He was giving to His disciples, this seems to imply a contrast to the old code with which the nation of Israel was familiar. This passage has the ambience of 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 where Paul contrasts the “ministry that brought death” and the “ministry of the Spirit” (verses 7-8).

This word becomes thrilling when we begin to discover the nature of this newness. You will notice, as you study this word, that it seems to refer to things that are both completely new, and yet not completely new at the same time. I will explain what I mean by pointing you to Revelation 21. Notice in verse 1, John begins to speak about the new heaven and new earth. They are both new in such a way that they have come freshly from the hand of the Creator. He has made a brand new heavens and earth. Imagine the thrill of a brand new earth, untainted by sin, corruption and decay. Imagine everything beginning perfectly with God as the Ruler in everything. How wonderful. One could get quite carried away just meditating on such a new heavens and earth.

Notice however that while this heavens and earth are said to be new, they are nonetheless still called heavens and earth. As John gazed at this spectacle before his dazzled eyes, he could clearly identify what these things were. There was no hazy thought, it was obvious to him that what he was looking at was a new heavens and new earth. There were enough similar features in the new heavens and new earth to make them easily identifiable as heavens and earth, yet at the same time they could be called new.