AMONG the blessings enumerated by the Master is the utterance, "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5. In the Psalms we read a similar statement: "The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Ps. 37:11. Thus do we find the definite promise that "the meek shall inherit the earth," and not only that, but they "shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."
IT must be perfectly evident that this promise has not yet been realized. The most greedy and the most grasping are the ones who have ever been the inheritors of the larger part of this earth. Those who have been distinguished for their meekness have not because of this been specially favored with titles to lands. Jesus Himself was the great example of meekness, for He says, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." Matt. 11:29. Notwithstanding the meekness of the Master, He said of Himself that He had "not where to lay His head." Matt. 8:20.
THEN, since the Lord has given the unfailing promise that the meek shall inherit the earth, and since we do not see them holding undisputed sway now in this world, it is evident that we must look to some future time to find the realization of what He will bestow upon this class of persons. And to sustain this hope we have another definite promise. Peter speaks of it thus: "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:13.
THERE have always been righteous persons in this earth, but they have been continually in a great minority. This has been the case so fully that the Lord Himself said that "wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matt. 7:13, 14. Then the few who have been in the way of life and therefore in the path of righteousness have been only "lights" in this world, but they have not been the righteous inhabitants that are to be the permanent dwellers here. And with this agrees the word spoken concerning Abraham: "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Heb. 11:9, 10. And the same chapter, speaking of those who had been eminent for their goodness, says of them, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Verse 13.
PEOPLE often speak of heaven in a very indefinite way. They do not seem to understand that the Lord has so definitely promised that this earth shall be redeemed from all the curse of sin and restored to the righteous for their eternal abode. So complete will be the renovation of this sin-stricken earth that the Word of God tells us it will be completely "dissolved," so that the evil works that are in it may be burned up. And, notwithstanding this dissolving of the earth, the same Word tells us, "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." The whole of the third chapter of 2 Peter should be carefully read, in order to get the connection fully and clearly.
THE Lord had a very definite purpose in mind when He created this earth. He did not make it that it might be the abode of sin, but of righteousness. And because the plague of sin has cursed it for a few thousand years, that will not destroy God's plan nor His eternal purpose. "Thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else." Isa. 45:18.
As you have beheld some of the beautiful places of this earth, has not the desire sprung up in your breast to dwell eternally in such a lovely spot? This desire is from your God. The loveliest place on earth to-day is but a dim picture of the eternal beauty that will be seen in every nook and corner of the earth made new. And to that glorious home the Lord is urgently and earnestly inviting every one to-day. He has also filled the world with evidence that the race of sin is about finished, and He will soon send His Son to earth the second time to resurrect the righteous and to translate the living, preparatory to entering into the eternity of bliss that awaits them in that glorious land of everlasting promise. T.
