theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Here it is again... the kingdom of heaven. And once again, it is being spoken of in the present tense. Yet here again, I think many will read this and think it refers to a future promise. While I believe it does most certainly have future implications, I think it is odd to assume that is the point of this verse. The poor in spirit are those who recognize their need for God and thus seek Him with their heart, mind, soul and strength. In doing so, they have received the kingdom of heaven by receiving the King of that kingdom. We live in the kingdom of heaven from the moment we first reach out to Jesus. Following verse 3, the scriptures read, "they will be" which can also be looked at as future tense but should not be exclusively. Those who mourn will be comforted in heaven, but also as they mourn on earth. Remember Jesus' prayer, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness do not have to wait until they die to be filled... this is a promise that they will be filled as they hunger and thirst. I do believe all of these promises will carry into the future, but they are not limited to the future... they are words of hope and encouragement for today. The kingdom of heaven is being lived and shared in the present. Don't miss it!
