“He who overcomes shall inherit all things,
and I will be his God and he shall be My son."
(Rev. 21: 7)
"the promise of eternal inheritance"
(Heb. 9: 15)
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth"
(Matt. 5: 5)
The kingdom is essentially connected with the new heavens and earth and with the time when the children of God receive their inheritance, which as we have seen, occurs after the rapture of living believers and the resurrection of the bodies of the saved dead. This is when saints receive their full inheritance and "inherit all things." This is also when the kingdom of God and heaven have fully come. Needless to say, these are fascinating things to muse upon!
Not until the present heavens and earth are destroyed by fire, as previously focused upon in this series, will the new heavens and earth come into being. The fire is intended to purge the heavens and earth. The inheriting of the earth, mentioned in the above texts, is obviously yet future. Further, the new heavens and earth of the first age of the ages of the ages (i.e. the thousand years of Revelation chapter twenty) is not the new heavens and earth of Revelation chapter twenty one, but rather are the new heavens and earth of Isaiah and the prophets (as we have previously seen from scripture).
When Christ comes he will end this age, and this earth and heavens, and make great changes to the environment, to nature and to the physics of things. It will be the time when the dead bodies of all the saved will come forth from the dust and be regenerated or made to live again, as we have seen and upon which we will have more to say. It is when they will become immortal in their entire being and be in an immutable and blessed holy state from which they will not be able nor desirous of changing.
This kingdom of heaven on earth will be in many ways a magical kingdom in that many displays of supernatural power will be at work in the millennial age and in the ages that follow. But, more on that later.
Children of God will inherit everything? How great an exaltation for sinners is that? That has not yet occurred, as we will see. Believers in Christ do receive a "partial payment" or "deposit" in the receiving of the Holy Spirit, but it is only a small portion of the whole, as we will see.
The Inheritance of the Saints
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Peter 1: 3-5)
The Apostle Peter affirms a number of things about the inheritance of the children of God.
First, he says that the inheritance is for those who have been born again, i.e. for people who are born to it. So Paul wrote, saying "the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." (II Cor. 12: 14 kjv) God the Father likewise has laid up a great inheritance for his begotten children, begotten by being united to Christ by faith and repentance, or by evangelical conversion. This is in keeping with the teaching of Christ to Nicodemus, in John chapter three, who likewise taught that one must be born again of the Spirit in order to see or enter the kingdom of God, or inheriting it, together with the earth and heavens, yea, of all things, with which it is connected. (3: 1-7)
Second, he affirms that the inheritance is "incorruptible" (not perishable) and "undefiled" (without pollution, either moral or physical; the Greek word is only used here), and "does not fade away" (Greek word only used here; the inheritance will not rust, erode, or in any way deteriorate). The inheritance is secure and cannot be lost. The idea is that the inheritance will last forever. It will not be able to be squandered as the Prodigal Son did his inheritance. (See Luke 15: 11-32)
Barnes in his commentary on the meaning of the inheritance being "undefiled" says: "it will not be such as will corrupt the soul, or tempt to extravagance, sensuality, and lust, as a rich inheritance often does here; it will be such that its eternal enjoyment will never tend in any manner to defile the heart."
Third, the inheritance is viewed as not yet received, being viewed as yet future, the believer now having a down payment. The inheritance is "reserved in heaven." It will be "revealed in the last time."
Fourth, the inheritance stored up in heaven is what is given equally to all those begotten of God. However, there are greater treasures and rewards for those believers who did "lay up treasures in heaven" (Matt. 6: 19-21) as they lived their lives for Christ.
Fifth, the inheritance is "reserved in heaven"; The word "reserved" is from the Greek word "tēreō" and Vine says it means "to keep, to guard," is translated "to be kept in charge," in Act 24:23; 25:4, RV (AV, "kept")." The idea is that the inheritance is secure, protected, and cannot be lost. It is the same idea that Jesus had in mind when he said:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6: 19-21KJV)
The Bank of Heaven is the safest place to put spiritual treasures. Direct your thoughts and longings toward heaven. All activities for Christ bring lasting reward, over and above the inheritance common to all God's children. If all the children receive the same inheritance, then no one has more reward than another? No, the rewards will be in addition to the common inheritance. They will add nothing to the inheritance, but will give those rewarded greater recognition and trophies. In earlier chapters we saw how each believer will receive his own reward according to his own labor, as the scriptures testify. (I Cor. 3: 8)
In the following text, the apostle Paul speaks of reward in the same breath as inheritance.
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." (Col. 3: 23-24)
So, is the inheritance a reward? Is it earned by serving the Lord as the context suggests? John Gill in his commentary wrote (emphasis mine):
"...and besides, there is no manner of proportion between: the best services of the saints, and eternal glory: to which may be added, that eternal life is the free gift of their heavenly Father to them, and is here called an inheritance, which never becomes the property of servants in a way of merit, but is the portion of children, from their Father's good pleasure. Wherefore the heavenly glory is such a reward as that it is an "inheritance"; or, as the Syriac version renders it, "in an inheritance"; it lies in an inheritance, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fades not away, reserved in the heavens; and which is not got by industry, or obtained by the works of the law, nor bought with a price, but is a free bequest of God as a Father to his children; for an inheritance is peculiar to children, and this to the children of God, as these believing servants were; and which comes to them by and through the death of the testator; and it may be called an inheritance, because the heavenly glory is substantial, it is substance, a better and a more enduring substance than any inheritance in this world; and is a very plentiful possession and estate, it consists of all things, yea, God himself is the portion of his people, and they that are his children are heirs of God; there is not only a glory, but riches of glory, a plenty, a fulness of it in this inheritance; the way in which they come by it, is receiving it from Christ; "of the Lord ye shall receive it". It is in a way of receiving, and so by gift, as a man can receive nothing but what is given him; and as all grace is in a way of receiving, and therefore boasting in it is excluded, so glory is enjoyed in the same way, and from the same hands, even from Christ, the righteous Judge, that will give it; it is in him they obtain this inheritance, and are in him chosen and predestinated unto it; it is by his resurrection from the dead, and in consequence of it, that they through the power of his Spirit and grace are begotten unto it; it is his grace that makes them meet for it; and he has it in his hands for them; he is a feoffee in trust on their behalf, and is able to give it to them; and will at the last day introduce them into the full possession of it."
Yes, it is a reward for being a child of God. It is a reward that Christ earned for his people and freely gives to them who believe in him. In one sense, it is reward, for it is given to those who are the servants of Christ, and is what makes all duty for Christ worth it all. However, in another sense, it is not reward, for it is all a result of God's gifting, workmanship, and grace.
"Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14: 12-14 nkjv)
Heaven, and eternal life and bliss, makes all labors for Christ and for righteousness worth it all. So Paul reasoned with the persecuted Christians, saying: "for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven." (Heb. 10: 34 nkjv)
Though there is loss of reward, and of goods and possessions, in this life, yet not in the life to come. The Greek word for "substance" is "yparxis." It is used only two times, once translated as "goods" (Acts 2: 45) and as "substance" here. It denotes "possessions, goods, wealth, property." Strong says it means "existency or proprietorship, i.e. (concretely) property, wealth:—goods, substance." They represent the totality of "things which God has prepared for those who love him." (I Cor. 2: 9)
The texts at the heading of this chapter speak of the magnitude of the inheritance of the children of God. Everything belongs to them. They are "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8: 17 kjv). Since he, as the Son of God incarnate, and as risen from the dead, is "the heir" (Matt. 21: 38, Mark 12: 7), "the heir of all things" (Heb. 1: 2), those who are his, by birth of the Spirit, are also "heirs of all things."
So, we may conclude that eternal bliss and wealth comes from being united to Christ by a living faith, and which is symbolized in being married. When a wife marries her husband, all that he owns becomes her's by virtue of her betrothal. So they say to each other "With this ring, I thee wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow." All the "goods" the believer will possess and enjoy throughout eternity are a result of this union and of the fact that Christ, the husband of every believer, is infinitely rich.
Questions
1. Does this mean that there will be no private property in the ages to come?
2. Will any have his or her own private domiciles or estates?
3. Will there be privacy of any kind?
4. Being so rich, what will keep saints from being corrupted by heaven's treasures?
These are questions that deserved further investigation as we progress in this study.
Earnest of the Inheritance
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Eph. 1: 11-14 KJV)
Notice from these inspired words what is said about the future eternal inheritance of believers. First, it is viewed as future, although an "earnest" of it is received in the lives of believers. Second, the greater part of the inheritance waits "until the redemption of the purchased possession" (full inheritance and full redemption are received in the resurrection day).
Other translations render "earnest" as:
"who is a first installment of our inheritance" (Nasb)
"the down payment of our inheritance" (Holman)
"who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it" (ESV)
When people sign a contract to buy a piece of real estate, they will give to the seller a down payment, or earnest money, to be held by the seller as a guarantee that the buyer will complete the deal by paying the full amount at a future specified date. The buyer agrees that if he does not pay that amount at such time, then the earnest money is forfeited to the seller. In the text above, God is the one acting as a buyer, or guarantee (surety), in his promises made to believers. He promises the believer an eternal rich inheritance and to guarantee its fulfillment he gives the believer the Holy Spirit, as a pledge that the inheritance is safe and reserved for each believer.
In the same chapter Paul speaks of "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (vs. 18). In the ages to come, God's redeemed people will be rich lords, judges, priests, and kings. They will rule and they will enjoy. Elsewhere he also speaks of "the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Col. 1: 12-14)
People of Adam's fallen race partake of the inheritance of the saints in light by having been converted, saved, and born again. This is when they were initiated into the Kingdom, a kingdom which is mostly yet future. This is a description of the eternal state of those who have been fully redeemed in the day of redemption when Christ returns.
What we have established is that "inheriting the kingdom" and obtaining "eternal inheritance" at the resurrection and return of Christ are bonded together. What we are investigating is what all is included in this great inheritance.
Everyone who enters the coming millennial age under Christ in the kingdom of heaven and of God will spend part of their time in worship of God and communing with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. No doubt there will be stated times for various groups to meet for time of praise and worship and for a time to learn more of the ways of the Lord.
There will also no doubt be times when the redeemed are able to do whatever they want in pleasurable pursuits. Whether this involves enjoying the arts, sports, games, or physical pleasures, yet awaits further investigation and musing.
There will also be times for them to perform their duties to the nations as God ordained priests, kings, lords, and judges. They will be the rulers, and be served by the nations over whom they rule. They will serve and be served when they enter into the joy of eternity. Of these things we will have some more to say in upcoming chapters.
In a recent chapter in this series, we began with a list of questions about the new heavens and earth. One of them, number nine, queried - "Where will the resurrected children of God live in the new heavens and earth?" Answer: In the new heavens and earth, but specially in the New Jerusalem. About that we will have more to say. We will also look further into the question already queried which asks "How will they be involved with the ongoing human race?"
To answer these questions requires some amount of time to inquire deeply into the scriptures that are connected with the subjects of those fascinating questions. Stay tuned as we ascend higher in our contemplations of life in eternity for the redeemed.
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