Beatitudes

Beatitudes

Beatitudes: I recently came across a very powerful perspective on the Beatitudes. I was watching a  teaching series called “Total Onslaught” By Professor Walter Veith from Amazing Discoveries Ministries. Why I differ on some points, I found the series exceptional and well thought out, explained, and Bible-based. Without endorsing everything he said, I can say that you would have to try very hard to finding a greater amount of truth explained in such a wonderful way. In that series, he explained The Beatitudes with a novel and special perspective. A way in which I have never heard or considered before and I must say that I agree with him. So, I wanted to share this insight God gave him and then expand the premise even more.  

Beatitudes

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Beatitudes-Revealed

Beatitudes

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:2-12 

Beatitudes

Let’s start with reading the “Beatitudes” from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”:

Beatitudes

And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying,

(3)  Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.  

(4)  Blessed are they that mourn! For they shall be comforted.  

(5)  Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth.  

(6)  Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled.  

(7)  Blessed are the merciful! For they shall obtain mercy.  

(8)  Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God.  

(9)  Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God.

(10)  Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.  

(11)  Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake.  

(12)  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Beatitudes

    What a beautiful and succinct sermon. Yet, most will likely take this sermon to be 9 distinct situations humanity can face upon this earth. While this can be applicable in the described areas mentioned, it falls short of Jesus’ true meaning.  Professor Walter Veith, I believe being led in the spirit of God, unlocked the true intention of the statements given. This is not a highlight of problems, but a road map to salvation! Yes, you heard that right. It perfectly describes the Biblical walk of all believers. And we know this is only for believers. From beginning to end, Jesus describes the faithful and those who receive the kingdom of God! So, these do not apply to unbelievers in any way!

Beatitudes

    We will cover this in 2 ways. The simple quick overview, then we will go through all 9 road signs given by Jesus and add more scripture to them. In the first round, I will explain it as I understand it. This is based upon Professor Walter Veith’s work, but is not exactly the same. I say this as not to ascribe to him anything he himself might not agree with. Yet, I do believe he would not find fault in the expanded view I am presenting.

Beatitudes

2 Parts To Consider

I see 2 parts to Jesus’ Statements. I will divide them as such:

Part 1: Road Map To Salvation – Part 2: What Comes Next?

Beatitudes

Part 1

Road Map To Salvation

Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3-12 

(Strong’s G3107: The Word Blessed Means: Supremely Blessed/Fortunate/Well Off:- Happy)

(3)  “Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”  

• You must understand your poor spiritual condition. And the need for God’s salvation and help.

1. If you do understand, you are set to inherit the kingdom of Heaven.

(4)  “Blessed are they that mourn! For they shall be comforted.”  

• Cry out in repentance and seek God’s grace and mercy for your sins.

• You will receive the Grace and Mercy you desire in the shield of His comfort.

(5)  “Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth.”

• Humble Yourself in God’s grace and mercy. Deny yourself and the world’s ways.

• That which you are told to deny- yourself, the earth and its ways, will then become your inheritance. Yet, you must give it up to receive it again.

(6)  “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled.”  

• Desire God and His ways above all else, as your flesh desires food and water.

• Then God will show you His ways and you will have your desires and be filled.

(7)  “Blessed are the merciful! For they shall obtain mercy.”  

• Forgive others as God has forgiven you. Leaving you an example of how to deal with humanity and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

• When you do this, you ensure the mercy and forgiveness of God upon your own life.

(8)  “Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God.”  

• In doing the previously mentioned steps, you will purify your heart before God.

• You are now assured that you are ready to receive salvation and see your Father God.

Beatitudes

Part 2:

Now That We Are Saved, What Comes Next?

Beatitudes

(9)  “Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God.”

• I see this part as peacemakers between God and the rest of humanity. To go forth to the called ones and bring the offering of peace with God and given by our God. Sharing what we ourselves have experienced.
• By being like Jesus and standing in the gap between God and man, you also will be like Jesus and become a son of God. All male and females will receive the banner of son-ship; meaning entitled to certain privileges and rights given to the family of God.

(10)  “Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”  

• Now that you are living righteously and are out in the world sharing the Gospel, and following the example of Jesus, you have entered the battlefield. You will be persecuted. Don’t fret, you are blessed.
• This goes back to the very first statement “Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” I see this as at first, we must understand our condition before God. Then, here I see it as God understands our condition in our faithfulness to Him. Therefore, He rewards us with His kingdom for the sacrifice. 

(11)  “Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake. (12)  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

• Again, we find another warning in our Christian walk. We must remember that Jesus was perfect and they still lied about Him and made up false accusations. Just like Jesus, you are blessed when they do this to you.
• Remember for every act of persecution, it comes with a much greater reward. God always repays what is sacrificed for His kingdom and Name. So, rejoice for the reward coming your way. You will be better off than if you were never persecuted at all!

Beatitudes

Then, Jesus encourages the children of God not to draw back after persecution has come. Remain faithful and keep pressing on. Don’t hide the truth, no matter what comes. He also calls us the “Salt” and the “Light” of this world.

Beatitudes

From “Albert Barnes Commentary” Concerning The Salt:

“Salt renders food pleasant and palatable, and preserves from putrefaction. So Christians, by their lives and instructions, are to keep the world from entire moral corruption. By bringing down the blessing of God in answer to their prayers, and by their influence and example, they save the world from universal vice and crime.”

Beatitudes

From “Albert Barnes Commentary” Concerning The Light:

“It is pre-eminently applied to Jesus in these places, because he is, in the moral world, what the sun is in the natural world. The apostles, Christian ministers, and all Christians, are lights of the world, because they, by their instructions and example, show what God requires, what is the condition of man, what is the way of duty, peace, and happiness the way that leads to heaven.”

Beatitudes

With this understanding, let’s read the encouragement and warning. Remember Jesus referenced the Prophets to explain the level of persecution and commitment it will take for all of us. Also remember the gift given for enduring: The Kingdom Of Heaven, Great Rewards, and seeing God’s face.

Beatitudes

Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.  (14)  You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.  (15)  Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.  (16)  Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Beatitudes

Now I am sure you see the profound difference in what is normally understood in the “Beatitudes” and what Jesus was really saying. Let us now add even more Scriptural depth to the discovery.

Beatitudes

Going Deeper

Beatitudes

We will keep the formatting from above to make it easier, and start adding some Bible verses to expand on all the key points.

Beatitudes

Part 1

Road Map To Salvation

Beatitudes

Matthew 5:3-12 

(3)  “Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”  

• You must understand your poor spiritual condition. And need for God’s salvation and help.

Romans 5:8-9  “But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  (9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him.”

• If you do understand, you are set to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

James 2:5  “Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?”  

2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.”

See Also: 2 Corinthians 5:21 + Philippians 2:27

Beatitudes

(4)  “Blessed are they that mourn! For they shall be comforted.”  

• Cry out in repentance and seek God’s Grace and Mercy for your sins.  

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.”

• You will receive the Grace and Mercy you desire in the shield of His comfort.

James 4:6-10 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  (7)  Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  (8)  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  (9)  Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.  (10)  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Beatitudes

(5)  “Blessed are the meek! For they shall inherit the earth.”

• Humble Yourself in God’s grace and mercy. Deny yourselves and the world’s ways.

Matthew 11:29  “Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.”

• That which you are told to deny- yourself, the earth and its ways, will then become your inheritance. Yet, you must give it up to receive it again.

Isaiah 60:19-21  “The sun will be no more your light by day; nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.  (20)  Your sun will not go down any more, nor will your moon withdraw itself; for Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will end.  (21)  Then your people will all be righteous. They will inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.”

See Also: Revelation 21:23 and Revelations 22:5

Beatitudes

(6)  “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness! For they shall be filled.”  

• Desire God and His ways above all else as your flesh desires food and water.

Psalms 42:1-3  “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants after you, God.  (2)  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?  (3)  My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually ask me, “Where is your God?”

• Then God will show you His ways and you will have your desires and be filled.

Psalms 37:4  “Delight yourself also in Yahweh, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”              THAT Being GOD Himself! Not worldly goods and possessions.

Beatitudes

(7)  “Blessed are the merciful! For they shall obtain mercy.  

• Forgive others as God has forgiven you. Leaving you an example of how to deal with humanity and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ephesians 4:30-32  “Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  (31)  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.  (32)  And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”

• When you do this, you ensure the mercy of God upon your own life.

Matthew 6:14-15  “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  (15)  But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Beatitudes

(8)  “Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God.” 

• In doing the previously mentioned steps, you will purify your heart before God.

1 Peter 1:22-23 “ Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:  (23)  having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.”

2 Timothy 2:22  “But flee youthful lusts, and follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Revelation 14:12 “Here is the patience of the saints. Here are the ones who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

• You are now assured that you are ready to receive salvation and see your Father God.

Revelation 22:1-5  “And he showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  (2)  In the midst of its street, and of the river, from here and from there, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit according to one month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  (3)  And every curse will no longer be; but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him.  (4)  And they will see His face, and His name will be in their foreheads.  (5)  And there will be no night there. And they need no lamp, or light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light. And they will reign forever and ever.”

Beatitudes

Part 2:

Now That We Are Saved, What Comes Next?

Beatitudes

(9)  “Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God.”

• I see this part as peacemakers between God and the rest of humanity. To go forth to the called ones and bring the offering of peace given by our God. Sharing what we ourselves have experienced.

Psalms 106:23  “Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, so that he wouldn’t destroy them.”

1 Timothy 2:5 “For God is one, and there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus,”

Romans 10:14-15 “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching?  (15)  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!”

James 5:19-20  “Brothers, if any among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back,  (20)  let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

• By being like Jesus and standing in the gap between God and man, you also will be like Jesus and become a son of God. All male and females will receive the banner of son-ship; meaning entitled to certain privileges and rights given to the family of God.

1 John 3:2-6 “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.  (3)  Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.  (4)  Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness.  (5)  You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.  (6)  Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him and doesn’t know him.”

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Therefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.  (18)  I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

Beatitudes

(10)  “Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”  

• Now that you are living righteously and are out in the world sharing the Gospel, and following the example of Jesus, you have entered the battlefield. You will be persecuted. Don’t fret, you are blessed.

John 16:33  “I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 10:22  “You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.”

• This goes back to the very first statement “Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” I see this as at first, we must understand our condition before God. Then here I see it as, God understands our condition in our faithfulness to Him. Therefore, He rewards us with His kingdom for the sacrifice. 

Luke 22:29-30  “And I appoint a kingdom to you, as My Father has appointed to Me,  (30)  that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Luke 12:31-32 “But rather seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.  (32)  Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Beatitudes

(11)  “Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake. (12)  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

• Again, we find another warning in our Christian walk. We must remember that Jesus was perfect and they still lied about Him and made up false accusations. Just like Jesus, you are blessed when they do this to you.

John 15:18-20  “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.  (19)  If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  (20)  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”

• Remember  that for every act of persecution, it comes with a much greater reward. God always repays what is sacrificed for His kingdom and Name. So, rejoice for the reward coming your way. You will be better off than if you were never persecuted at all!

Mark 10:29-30  “Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News,  (30)  but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.”

Beatitudes

Closing:

I hope that the next time you run across the “Beatitudes”, you will remember this study and think of the roadmap left to us by Jesus. Let us also recall that the “Sermon on the Mount” was for believers only. Lastly, may we all be encouraged to stay the course and be the “Salt” and “Light” of this world in Jesus’ Name. Then, we will receive the reward and desire of our hearts- our Father God! 

Beatitudes

Beatitudes

Beatitudes