Inherit the Earth?????

by Crazyguy 7 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Crazyguy

  The WT has taught that some of the righteous will inherit the land and live on earth forever. This dogma is very hard to get over because some scriptures allude to this and even Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth. But also Jesus himself will inherit the nations but that doesn't mean he will reside down here with them.

  So how does one explain that the meaning of inherit does not mean necessarily that one will have to live here on Earth? And is there any scriptures that help to explain this???
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  EdenOne

  Psalms says that the messianic king [Jesus] receives the 'nations of the earth as inheritance'. Does this mean he will ever dwell on earth? No. In the same manner, from those who will inherit a heavenly reward, some will be ruling with him as priests and kings, and they will "rule over the earth". In this manner, they shall "inherit the earth" in the likeness of Christ.

  Eden
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  caroline77

  Genesis 15,16 &17 give an account of the promises to Abraham, and Galations 3 explains how it applies to Christ.
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  Laika

  Crazyguy,

  Revelation 21 describes a new heavens and new earth. The early Christian and indeed Jewish hope was for the restoration and renewal of the earth, not that they would go to heaven. Certainly that idea exists in scripture as well, but largely as an interim period until they are raised in new bodies in the new earth.

  The problem with the JW view is that it divides heaven and earth and comes up with 2 hopes, not that they have a place for the earth at all. If you want to do more study on this subject, I recommend the book 'surprised by hope' by Tom Wright.
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  Laika

  Although to go with your point, JWs believe that the anointed inherit the earth as they rule over it as kings, so the ones who inherit the earth don't live on it.
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  Laika

  Edit:double post :(
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  pixel

  Funny thing is that the WT/FDS/GB applis this scripture to the Great Crowd...to make nice for the public.
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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  Jesus inherits ownership. Humans inherit tenancy.

  Welcome to Slumlord Kingdom. We've been here the whole time.