The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

1
The MeekShall Inherit the Earth

• Does Matthew 55 Teach
• A Paradise on Earth?

2
Paradise on Earth?

• For years premillennialists have used Mt. 55 to
  teach that the righteous will come back and reign
  on the earth for 1,000 years
• For years J.W.s have used this passage to say
  that the great multitude will live in Paradise
  on earth for ever

3
Paradise on Earth?

• More recently New Creation Theologists have used
  this passage to teach that the righteous will
  come back to live on a renewed, restored and
  renovated earth
• Just last year a fellow-brother used this passage
  in the same way on Facebook

4
Psalm 37 in Context

• Jesus statement in Matthew 55 is taken from
  Psalm 3711
• Psalm 37 is a contrast between the insecure life
  of the wicked that will be cut off and the secure
  life of the righteous that will remain the
  context must be observed if we are to properly
  understand this text

5
Psalm 37 in Context

• Dont be envious of the wicked (vv. 1, 7) who are
  prosperous because one day they will be cut off
  (v. 2, 9-10, 20, 22, 28, 34-36, 38) their day is
  coming (v. 13)
• The righteous who are not prosperous (v. 16) will
  remain in the land (vv. 3, 9, 11, 18, 22, 27, 29,
  34)
• Compare with Proverbs 221-22

6
Psalm 37 in Context

• All the land promises in this psalm go back to
  the promise given to Israel concerning their
  land inheritance (Gen. 284 Ex. 2330 Num.
  3354 Deut. 328 1620 Josh. 16)
• Dwell in the land or inherit the land was a
  promise to the Israelites who were faithful to God

7
Psalm 37 in Context

• Dwell in the land or inherit the land meant
  that faithful Israelites would have a life of
  blessing and peace as opposed to the wicked who
  would be cut off (v. 11b, 22a, 37b)
• Compare with Psalm 2512-13

8
Psalm 37 in Context

• This is not a psalm about future living on the
  earth after the judgment day
• The psalmist is speaking to Israelites of his day
• The psalmist is speaking of a time when the
  wicked and righteous are together (vv. 18-20,
  32-34)

9
Matthew 55 in Context

• The beatitudes are not future promises only,
  but present realities for Jesus disciples
• Jesus is saying the same thing as the psalmist
  the meek in Jesus day will have a blessed and
  peaceful life while they live on the earth (see
  Isa. 6021)

10
Matthew 55 in Context

• The meek inheriting (not conquering) the earth is
  the opposite of what one would think
• Many believe that only the aggressive,
  self-assertive ones get the world
• Where are the Napoleons, Hitlers, and Nietzches
  of the world today?

11
The Meek

• Meek (Gr. praus) does not mean weak it means
  one who is gentle and submissive to Gods will or
  others does not resist God not self-assertive
• Moses was meek (Num. 123)
• Jesus was meek (Mt. 1129 215)
• Paul was meek (2 Cor. 101)

12
Shall Inherit the Earth

• True Christians are meek (Mt. 55 Jas. 121
  313 1 Pet. 34, 15)
• Meek Christians have the promise of a blessed and
  peaceful life on this earth now (Mt. 633 Mk.
  1029-30 Jn. 1010 1 Cor. 321-23 2 Cor.
  610 Phil. 418 1 Tim. 48).

13
Shall Inherit the Earth

• Faithful Christians
• Enjoy the earth more fully because they enjoy
  whatever God sends them
• Have a character that brings a greater measure of
  peace and stability to their lives

14
Shall Inherit the Earth

• Faithful Christians have
• Fewer enemies, worldly problems, worries
• True love, friendship, happiness, peace of mind
• Gods providence on their side
• Etc., etc.

15
The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

• Both God and Satan promise people the world, but
  only God can deliver!
• Are you living the righteous, meek life that will
  be blessed with peace by God?
• Jesus indeed speaks of an eternal reward, not in
  55, but in 512 great is your reward in
  heaven