Eternal Vision

by Francine Biere
Published February 11, 2006

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth … Matthew 5:5
Part 3
Click here to go to Part 1, Part 2

There are blessings that come from being meek, but the promise seems almost inconceivable, especially if viewed in a literal perspective.

The world would surely deny that the meek will inherit the earth. Just look around the globe and you see plenty of folks looking to dominate others. On a large scale, it's seen in wars and powerful dictators. Yet, I believe there is both a smaller and much larger measurement we fail to grasp.

An inheritance implies we are heirs. The natural tendency is to relate inheritance to receiving something of value. If we accept that none of us will possess the earth in this life, one might wonder if this is just a future promise.

I can only address this inheritance as it applies to the here and now from a personal perspective. My concept of inheriting the earth relates to my own little space on this planet – be it my home, my community, and even my fellowship with others. If I tie this promise back to the teaching of being meek, then my existence in this world depends on that view I spoke of in Part two. In other words, living unselfishly – being generously thoughtful, thinking of others first, extending a kind word, and living or operating from a solid sense that no matter what happens, my choice empowers me to live above the world's pettiness and pain. Simply put, I have found peace on earth.

If we look at it from a literal and logical point of view, I wonder how many would truly want the burdens of inheriting the earth. It certainly is too large to be controlled, filled with quarrelsome and selfish people, and depleted of much of its natural beauty. However, if we look at this promise from a futuristic point of view, the picture changes dramatically.

There are many descriptions of what's going to happen in the future. Without going into detail, Revelations 21:1 says: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth …," New International Version. It's obvious to the most casual observer that the earth as we know it will not last forever. Common sense tells us we are rapidly depleting our natural resources. But one day God will create a new earth* and while we don't know what that will look like, the promises are real. As believers, this is our inheritance.

Many look to the promises found throughout the Bible and say, " one day," these will come to pass. They separate the physical from the eternal realm. I believe in eternal living now. Obedience to the Creator's design for me transported me from the ugliness of what I see with my eyes to the beauty and majesty I see with my spirit and soul. That's the earth I possess now and the one I'll inherit in the future.

*Other references: Romans 8:18-21; 2 Pet 3:7-13, Isaiah 65:17, 66:22

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