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The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Premillennialists have taken Matthew 5:5 as a proof text that they will live and reign on the earth for a thousand years. Also, those who are advocating for a “renewed earth” take it to say that they will live on the earth forever. It is like a millennial reign that never ends. Many of the Jews in the days of Jesus expected the kingdom of God to come as an earthly kingdom. They thought Jews would displace the Romans as rulers of the world. Matthew wrote with these Jews in mind. He frequently called the kingdom of God, “the kingdom of heaven.” He is the only writer that did this. He knew his audience. The kingdom is “of heaven” because it is not “of earth.” It is a spiritual kingdom – not another earthly one. Worldly-minded Jews, premillennialists and renewed earth advocates of today all have a worldly view with an earthly hope. Context is a fundamental rule of hermeneutics. Matthew 5:5 is part of the Sermon on the Mount. John and Jesus were preaching, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23). Those who heard Jesus preach the Sermon on the Mount recognized that it was “his doctrine” (Matthew 7:25). The Sermon on the Mount is a sermon on the kingdom. It is the doctrine of Christ …
Do We Bless God?
It does not take a deep expedition into the pages of Scripture to find the promises of God’s blessings for obedience. Whether one is considering the life of Abraham, the promises to David or the writings of Paul, the blessings of God are a consistent theme of the Bible. God blesses man in many ways, both physically and spiritually. His concern for our lives and welfare is amply demonstrated in every aspect of the commands that are given, so that we might live long, peaceable lives in his service (1 Timothy 2:2; Ephesians 6:3). Recognizing the blessings of God, there is a question that should follow in our minds: Do we bless God? The word “bless” is defined by Webster as, “To make happy; to make successful; to prosper in temporal concerns; to set apart or consecrate to holy purposes; to make and pronounce holy; to praise; to glorify, for benefits received; etc.” In other words, to bless one means to give praise, to make happy and successful, and to separate from others. As Christians, we give great attention to the blessings God has given us, but are we giving equal attention to the blessings we give God? Abraham is described as the friend of God (James 2:23), David as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), and others are related in Hebrews 11. These men and women blessed God by their lives and deeds; they served Him acceptably, devoted their lives to His commandments and willingly engaged in …
Amillennialism Versus Millennialism
I just read that as part of the counter reformation, a Jesuit priest Alcasar devised a theory which is now known as amillennialism / preterism. Opposite to this is by another Jesuit, Ribera, premillennialism. Apparently this was done to take the focus off the papacy as the antichrist which Luther etc started to identify as and shift the focus of the Bible reading Christians elsewhere so that people either believed that everything is past (prophecy) before the Pope, OR there will be a future non Christian anti Christ who is NOT part of the established religion. Won’t you fall into this teaching by the Catholics if you believe in amillennialism? Thanks, Bis Millennialism, whether one opts for it or rejects it, has to do with biblical interpretation of Revelation 20. “MILLENNIUM This term signifies a period of a thousand years, and in its religious use is applied to the prophetic era mentioned in Rev 20:1-7” (McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia). Essentially, there are three approaches to biblical interpretation of this passage, and common sense mandates that these three contradictory perceptions cannot all be correct. Three common millennial views are held: postmillennialism, amillennialism, and premillennialism. Postmillennialism. This interpretation maintains that present gospel agencies will root out evils until Christ will have a spiritual reign over the earth, which will continue for 1,000 years. … Amillennialism. Advocates of this view maintain that no Millennium is to be looked for except that which, it is claimed, is in progress now in this gospel age. … Premillennialism. This interpretation teaches that …
The Running Watchmen
In ancient Palestine, vineyards were very important to the people. A great deal of food was grown in these vineyards, particularly the grape. The vineyards were many times planted not only in the valleys, but also up the sides of the mountains. Terraces were built on the side of the mountains so that the grapes could be planted. Watchmen were appointed to stand guard over these vineyards. The watchmen would be stationed high up on the sides of the mountains. The watchmen always stood on an outcropping of rock. By standing, they were always awake and able to be attentive to see if anyone came near the vineyard. The watchmen would be positioned so that one could see all the way to the point where another one could see. Many times the watchmen might not be able to see each other but they knew that they could communicate. If a watchman saw someone enter the valley and come close to the vineyard, he would begin to call out. Another watchman would hear the call and call out also. Before a few minutes could go by, the entire valley would be filled with the calling of alarm by the watchmen. The watchman closest to the strange intruder would leave his post and run to meet the stranger. If the watchman observed that the stranger meant no harm, he greeted the stranger with a large cluster of grapes and kind words. He would then accompany the stranger through the valley with words …
Adventures of Charles J. Abei
Laugh-In: In 1962, after I had been preaching only a few months at Sistersville WV, the brethren asked me to preach a Gospel meeting there. It was a good meeting, resulting in several baptisms and restorations — but not on the particular night on which the following incident occurred. As the people gathered, one man named Brookover sat down near the front and promptly went to sleep. [He was on medication which inclined him to be very drowsy]. As the singing began, he awoke and sang with us, but when the preaching began he promptly went back to sleep. As I preached, he gradually scooted down in the pew, and eventually he began to snore. A few snickers went over the audience. His snoring got louder and louder, until loud laughter began first in one area, then another. It got so funny I couldn’t preach any more, so I stopped and said, “Will one of you awaken our brother?” Someone later suggested that they should have said, “You waken him; you put him to sleep!” But they were merciful and spared me that. Instead, Bill Cokeley slid across the pew and elbowed Brookover in the ribs, whereupon everyone roared with laughter. Brookover jumped awake, thought I must have told a joke, and himself started laughing. At that, the laughing only became louder. After a while it died down and I started to preach again, but it was no use. I couldn’t say more than a half dozen words until the …
Which Saves, Christ Or The Church?
Nothing should be more important to anyone than his salvation from sin and living so he can be in heaven after he dies. Christ Is The Saviour? An angel told Joseph in a dream that the woman he was to marry had conceived by the Holy Ghost and that she would bring forth a son whose name would be Jesus, and who would save his people from their sins (Luke 2:1-11). Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). Many other passages in the New Testament say that Jesus Christ is our Saviour. This monumental truth is indeed “good tidings of great joy,” as the angel said to the shepherds. When one realizes he is lost in his sins and hears the good news that Jesus seeks him and wants him to be saved, he should receive such good tidings with great joy! Surely all who believe the Bible will readily and joyfully agree that Jesus Christ is the Saviour, and that he died on the cross so all could be saved. Yes, indeed Jesus saves! Where Does Jesus Save? The Bible plainly teaches that Jesus Christ is our Saviour. It just as plainly tells us where he saves! Jesus died on the cross that he might reconcile Jews and Gentiles, or all people, unto God in one body by the cross (Ephesians 2:14–16). That one body is his church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Therefore, reconciliation, or salvation from sin and getting back to God, takes place in the church which …
Bible Toons
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