Another ' NEW TRUTH':

JWs switch meaning of Matt. 5:5

BIBLE verses with the expression "the earth" in italics are used in the April 8, 1997 Awake! magazine to ' prove' "It is God' s purpose for the vast majority of those who serve him to make this earth their home forever." (page 9):
"...Psalm 37:29: ' The righteous themselves will possess the earth.' Jesus taught that same truth, declaring: ' Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.' (Matthew 5:5)"
The July 8, 1997 Awake! makes a similar application:
"' Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.' (Matthew 5:5) Yes, these mild-tempered ones are its earthly subjects, and with the help of God' s Kingdom, they will lovingly care for their inheritance, turning it into a thriving paradise..." - Awake! July 8, 1997, page 11
For decades, however, the Watchtower Society had been teaching that Matthew 5:5 spoke primarily of Christians going to heaven to rule over the earth with Christ:
"When Jesus said, as recorded at Matthew 5:5, ' Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth,' of whom was he speaking? . . . Jesus here applied the expression ' mild-tempered' or ' meek' to his disciples of that time who were in line for the heavenly kingdom. ...His disciples were made his joint heirs in the Kingdom and enter into this inheritance or possession of the earth with him." - The Watchtower August 1, 1959, page 479
". . . the statement ' happy are the mild-tempered ones' is thus seen to have specific and primary application to Jesus Christ and his Kingdom associates . . ." - The Watchtower August 1, 1966, page 451
"the ' mild-tempered will inherit the earth.' Yes, those mild-tempered ones who are to be with Christ in his heavenly kingdom will rule over this earth." - Watchtower June 15, 1974, pages 377-378
"...Jesus Christ as the most mild-tempered or meek man on earth came into the inheritance of the earth." - The Watchtower November 1, 1974, page 662
Yet Awake! uses Matthew 5:5 now as if it proved "It is God' s purpose for the vast majority of those who serve him to make this earth their home forever." (April 8, 1997 page 9)

NOTE: The Watchtower teaching that believers are divided into a heavenly class and an earthly class is not biblical. Christ indicated all future believers would end up "where I am ... with me, in order to behold my glory." (John 17:20,24 NWT) The risen Christ had access to both heaven and earth, and "we shall be like him." (1 John 3:2)


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