Matthew 5-7
A character of life is required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. It is not what is expected of men in ordinary life, such as good manners and payment of one's bills, but it is what accompanies a moral revolution of the soul.
The principles set before us in this sermon belong to the present two thousand years; some will apply in the millennium. Also, they applied during the time that Jesus was here.
In the kingdom of heaven, souls are being prepared for heaven. Besides salvation through the finished work of Christ, the soul is being introduced into a proper understanding of what heaven is like: its manners and affections, its righteousness and compassion, and its praise and worship, which will be our constant occupation. We learn to enjoy communion as it should be, both with the Father and with the Son, and we learn the manner of life in heaven, which will be life in the Spirit.
The principles of the kingdom of heaven were presented to the disciples by Jesus on the mountainside in the hearing of the multitudes. 'The first twelve verses of chapter 5 are the beatitudes: blessings or blessednesses for those found in the kingdom of heaven. They are in contrast with the law, for there were curses as well as blessings connected with the law, but there is only blessedness for the sons of the kingdom.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Being poor in spirit is just the opposite of pride. God hates pride. He has provided a kingdom for the poor in spirit where they will feel at home.
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." For the believer who walks with God, there will be much mourning in this world, because it is not our home. The principles of the world are contrary to those of the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Meekness will be the character of those who, in the last days, will be ready to enter the kingdom on earth.
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." This characteristic will be found in the millennial earth, but especially in the eternal state on the new earth where righteousness will dwell (2 Peter 3:1313Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)).
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." The whole basis of salvation is God acting in mercy to His creatures-undeserved mercy. Those born again have the same nature, for they have repented and have received divine life.
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." The heart of the natural man, no matter who he is, is a well of iniquity. To His disciples the Lord could say, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." Those who hear the Word of God and believe it are clean, clean every whit. Such are the pure in heart.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." The disciples as peacemakers went forth preaching peace by Jesus Christ. The "children of God" are the Church. They are taught: "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven."
Also, verses 1-16 of chapter 5 are a picture of the remnant of Israel showing their character and position as those who received the Lord's instruction, according to the mind of God. Verse 5 has a special application to those with a future in the earthly part of the millennial kingdom; verses 11 and 12 apply to those with a heavenly future; the remaining verses apply to all in the kingdom of heaven.
Christ displays His moral glory by being the perfect example of these divine teachings. While only He fully lives up to these divine precepts, there is to be moral progress in our souls in these things.
This mountain ministry of Jesus was given before Christianity began. At the same time the principles of the kingdom of heaven were taught by the Lord in view of what was soon to take place after the Lord had gone into heaven. So these principles apply to us now, especially the first sixteen verses.
The Lord did not come to set the law aside, but to honor it. He did so by keeping all of its commandments. However, after Pentecost, the believer, because of the work of Christ, in fulfilling the law, is no longer under it, although it remains a standard for all time for relationship between God and His creature man. Verses 17-48 remind the remnant of Israel of the law given to them by Moses. Until Pentecost they were still under the law as the basis of their relationship with God. And the remnant which will arise after the rapture of the Church will be under the law during the tribulation as well as in the millennium.
In reviewing the different points of the law, the Lord speaks especially of the two basic evils: violence and corruption. In Israel these were judged in their outward form, but now in the kingdom they are judged as God sees the heart and its motives.
The sons of the kingdom are the salt of the earth. Real salt savors and preserves. But imitation salt, like mere profession, loses its savor. The kingdom in its real, salt character preserves the earth from corruption. But there is less savor as there is less and less faith on the earth.
When the kingdom of God in its present mysterious form (Matt. 13:44-4844Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. (Matthew 13:44‑48)) leaves this earth, moral corruption and violence will know no bounds; life will be intolerable. Seeing that conditions are almost intolerable at present, we will not wait long for our Savior to come for us.
The sons of the kingdom are also the light of the world. Salt savors and preserves, but light directs men. The light that the sons of the kingdom have is Christ in the heart; He is light to the world as He shines out in our ways.
The Father
In this sermon the Lord Jesus brings the "Father" before the hearers (5:16,45,48; 6:1,4; etc.). It is "your Father" showing individual relationship. Those who enter the kingdom need an object and a pattern, so Christ reveals the Father through His own Person. It is not "Abba, Father" as in the Church (Rom. 8:14-1614For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:14‑16)), for the Spirit had not come to indwell the believer until Christ went on high. After the rapture the kingdom will be spoken of as the kingdom of the Father (Matt. 13:4343Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:43)).
In the kingdom, to present a gift to the Lord at the altar when a person is not right with his brother is unacceptable.
"Agree with thine adversary quickly," so "quickly" is the time for a soul to repent and be right with God. To "agree" does not mean that the soul is fully instructed; he may only be able to say, "Lord, save me." Then the soul has a new life, and God is merciful, for "a bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench." With time he learns further truth.
While we are near the end of the period of the kingdom of heaven in its present "mystery" form, these kingdom precepts are also for the remnant of Israel during the seven-year period of trial, just before the millennium when the people of Israel will be gathered to their land again. Now the children of Israel are returning to Israel in great numbers, not by a work of God, but in unbelief. In the tribulation they will be preached to from these scriptures, and they will probably read Matthew and Peter, which show the government of God on His people and the world. They will primarily read the prophets.
To be angry without a cause does not display the character of the kingdom of heaven. To lust after a woman is to commit adultery in the heart. Adultery is the only reason for divorce, except desertion.
If a man "take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." In controversy, turn the other cheek. Let us allow nothing, even the most precious things or persons, to turn us aside from following Christ and serving Him.
If a man compel thee to do something excessive, do for him twice as much-if he makes you go one mile, go two. "Love your enemies." "Do good to them that hate you." "Pray for them."
Our conversation should be with a simple "yes" or "no." We need not enforce it by swearing-we are without anything to swear by. Should we swear by heaven? or earth?—they are not ours; all belongs to God.
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." We are to display the character of our Father. To follow the Father in our hearts, with no other object, is to be perfect, in that sense.
Being sons of the kingdom, we take on the character of the kingdom; it is our life; we walk in its ways. The Father is our object. We learn the Father through Jesus. Being a son of the kingdom, all these things apply to the Christian.