Season 3 Podcast 104 The Last Days Pt IX The New Jerusalem

The Last Days Pt IX The New JerusalemIn the previous podcast we listed the six stages of the earth.  In this podcast we shall focus on the sixth or final stage of the earth.  It marks, of course, the end of the world as we know it. The New Jerusalem descends, and earth becomes celestialized. In other words, earth becomes heaven. In the Sermon on the Mount, the third Beatitude says,“5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)That has always been a bit of a paradox because in our world tyrants often inherit the earth. A meek tyrant is an oxymoron. We don’t generally think of world conquerors as meek: Caesar, Alexander the Great, Atilla the Hun, Napoleon, Hitler.  However, I have discovered that it is safer to read the words of our Lord literally, and no scripture is more literal than the third beatitude. Many scriptures in the Bible reinforce the Savior’s words.“29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” (Psalm 37:29)“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9)“5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)It is also clear that this earth was prepared to be not just our earthly home, but also our eternal home.“34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” (Matthew 25:34)We know that Christ is the creator of this world.“2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” (Hebrews 1:2)And when Christ laid the foundation of this world, he was not only creating our earthly home, he was also creating our eternal kingdom. As he said above, “Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” It is a very literal statement then when Christ said that “the meek shall inherit the earth. The earth was founded upon that principle. The meek are those who overcome all things.6 LINDA“7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:7)However, we are not the only ones who shall inherit the earth. Paul tells us that we are joint-heirs with Christ.“17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)John the Revelator tells us that the city New Jerusalem will come down from God and dwell on the earth and God himself shall be with his people1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:1-3)