Jesus Christ uttered the following: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) This verse has been given various interpretations, most of which aren’t biblical. One of the most popular ideas is that Jesus said that anyone who follows him must be passive toward that which would ordinarily cause one to be angry. Essentially, the word means to be gentle as opposed to a haughty human spirit, even tempered, and tender toward the plight of others. Nowhere in the meaning is any idea of being passive in order to follow Jesus.

In other words, a follower of Jesus gives up his human notions and conforms to the ways of Jesus which by no means were passive in nature. It is as Paul told the Romans: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  (Romans 12:2) Being meek is not being conformed to the world which exalts the human spirit over God’s Holy Spirit. Paul was meek in his ways after conversion. He said in Philippians 3:5-7: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. He gave up his human spirit of self righteousness to follow Christ, but he wasn’t passive. He defied authorities who tried to prevent him from preaching the gospel. (Read it in Acts)

The remainder of the verse causes problems for many. Some think that it refers to a literal inheriting of the earth in another reign of Christ. But that doesn’t coincide when the purpose of Jesus coming to earth is understood. Eschatology, the study of last things is in order. Jesus came to earth to bring salvation, and the last thing he will do is return to call God’s people home.

Let’s begin with Paul’s words 1 Corinthians 15: 51-53: 51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Who are they? The meek inheriting the new heaven and earth as we shall see with Peter’s words. 

But first, Paul wrote to the 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Who are they? The dead in Christ will join those still living and who are in Christ.

Now for the words found in 2 Peter 3: 9-13: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

The meek shall inherit the new heaven and the new earth. The words of Peter and Paul are in complete harmony with not one word about a new reign on this earth. The meek shall be blessed with the resurrection to eternal life. Jesus said, 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5: 28-29)

In order to be in the resurrection of life, man’s spirit must be subservient to God’s Holy Spirit which Jesus called being meek. In Romans 8: 9-13 Paul wrote: 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. And inherit the new earth and eternal life.

© 02-16-2007

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