Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth--not heaven?

Question

All the resurrections in the Bible happened here on earth--not in heaven. So, where did Christendom got the idea that Christians will go to heaven when they die?

Answer 1

There are those who reason that, because of the very nature of the physical universe, the time must come when the sun will no longer shine and the earth will no longer sustain life. But are they correct? What does the Creator say—the One who brought into existence energy and matter, the One who originated the laws on which our existence depends?
Solomon penned these words: “A generation is going, and a generation is coming; but the earth is standing even to time indefinite.” But for how long? According to the literal rendering of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, it will be “to time indefinite.” What does that mean?
As to what the expression means in connection with the earth, we are not left in doubt. At Psalm 104:5 we are told: “He has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever.
Thus it is regarding the planet Earth on which we live that Jesus Christ taught his followers to pray to God: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”—Matthew 6:9, 10.

Jehovah’s will is not for the earth to be inhabited by people who have no regard for its Owner and little love for one another. Long ago he promised: “Evildoers themselves will be cut off, but those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” (Psalm 37:9, 29) “The inhabited earth to come,” of which the Bible speaks, will be populated by people who fear God and sincerely love their fellowmen. (Hebrews 2:5; compare Luke 10:25-28.) So great will be the changes that take place under God’s heavenly Kingdom that the Bible speaks of “a new earth”—not a different globe, but a new human society that will live amid the paradisaic conditions that mankind’s Creator purposed from the time he began his earthly creation.—Revelation 21:1-5; Genesis 2:7-9, 15.

The establishing of that “new earth” will, of necessity, be preceded by great destruction—one surpassing anything that mankind has yet experienced. For the good of the earth itself and all who are truly grateful to its Creator, he will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Revelation 11:17, 18)

“Inherit the earth”—what an exciting prospect! But can we be sure that this is not just another crafty scheme designed to deprive people of something? Yes, we can. Since the earth is part of Jehovah’s marvelous creation, he as the Maker and Owner has the legal right to bequeath it to whomever he chooses. Through King David, Jehovah made this prophetic promise to His beloved Son, Jesus Christ: “Ask of me, that I may give nations as your inheritance and the ends of the earth as your own possession.” (Psalm 2:8) For this reason, the apostle Paul described Jesus as the one “whom [God] appointed heir of all things.” (Hebrews 1:2) We can, therefore, have full confidence that when Jesus said that the meek “shall inherit the earth,” he did so in good faith, and he has the proper authority to fulfill his promise.—Matthew 28:18.

2 Peter 3:6: Peter writes that God brought the Deluge “upon a world of ungodly people,” while preserving Noah and his family; in this way “the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.” (2Pe 2:5; 3:6) It may again be noted that the reference here is not to the destruction of the planet or of the celestial bodies of the universe, but it is restricted to the human sphere, in this case the unrighteous human society. It was that “world” that Noah condemned by his faithful course.—Heb 11:7.

Answer 2

Interesting question. I wouldn't say Christian=Meek though. Although maybe it should. And there are different definitions as to what meek means. It also seems to be a 13th century word which means that it must not have been around when the New Testament was written or put together. So they had to take another word & decide well i think this should be translated into meek. Main Entry: meek Pronunciation: \ˈmēk\ Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse mjūkr gentle; akin to Welsh esmwyth soft Date: 13th century 1 : enduring injury with patience and without resentment : mild 2 : deficient in spirit and courage : submissive 3 : not violent or strong : moderate — meek·ly adverb — meek·ness noun

Answer 3

Today, during the Church Age, believers go directly into the presence of God in heaven. This is evident in several passages. In Philippians 1:23 Paul wrote, “But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.” Where is Christ today? He is seated at the right hand of God in heaven (Eph. 1:20). Logically then, to be with Christ after death is to also be in heaven. So likewise, if “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5), death means to be in heaven with the Lord, though without our glorified bodies which wait until the resurrection when soul will be joined together with a glorified, resurrected body.

Answer 4

A thoughtful person who thinks about God cannot help but notice the amazing contradictions. They are everywhere you look.

Here is one very simple example. On the day Moses comes down from Mount Sinai with the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, he discovers that the Israelites have created a golden calf. To punish the people, Moses gathers a group of men and takes the following action in the book of Exodus, Chapter 32:

Then he [Moses] said to them, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.' " The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died.

So... one minute we have God carving into stone, "Thou shalt not kill." Then the next minute we have God telling each man to strap a sword to his side and lay waste to thousands. Wouldn't you expect the almighty ruler of the universe to be slightly more consistent than this? 3,000 dead people is a lot of commandment breaking. Obviously that is a total contradiction. The reason why you find contradictions like that in the Bible is because God is imaginary.

When you look at slavery, you get the same feeling of total contradiction. It is obvious to modern human beings that slavery is an abomination. The fact that God is a huge proponent of slavery in the Bible shows us that God is imaginary.



Suppose we've chosen the wrong god.
Every time we go to church we're just making him madder and madder.

Homer Simpson

Answer 5

OK..I believe that there will be heaven AND a paradise on earth. The bible states that a special number..144,000 will be in heaven...only that amount. Others will live here on earth...which will be destroyed, and we will all build it again, but not for money or anything like it is now, we will all own our own homes, our own food...and we will all worship the same God, and all have the same beliefs. As for hell, i believe hell is just the grave...i do not believe that ppl will go to a firey burning pit...i believe that was not literal...it was just meaning that you're dead. Also the ones who are going to heaven, the 144,000 will know they are going, the bible states that they will have the mark on their forehead...not literal, i don't believe anyways, just meaning that they will have no doubt. SO that's my beliefs on the subject...I can research it, and find the scriptures if you'd like...

Answer 6

we wont go to heaven,after God do away with evil and sin, he will bring heaven down to earth, a quote from the bible, says' a new jerusalem will decend to earth .the city is described as being 1500 miles high and 1200 miles across. remember in the lords prayer. a portion reads" it shall be done on earth as it is in heaven" so what ever is in heaven will be brought down to earth, most people believe that the earth will be destroyed by nukes and asteroids, but that is not true. what ever god makes, it will last forever.

Answer 7

Christians go to heaven for now. Revelations speaks of a new heaven and new earth once the present time has come to pass. If you reject Christ then that time is coming sooner than you might think.

Answer 8

You are right on with it,to hear that you are into the bible. the churches have taught their people alot of lies! He will also rule for a thousand years right here on earth!

Answer 9

The Kingdom of Heven will desend and become a physical plase on Earth. Simple as that.

Answer 10

Because the Kingdom of God is a Heavenly Kingdom and Jesus has "gone to prepare a place" for us. His Kingdom is not of this world.

note: I studied with JWs for 6 yrs... I know a JW question when I see it