What if you could peek through a window and see what it’s like in heaven?
Well, this is not some far-fetched idea. Jesus gives us lots of windows to look through so we can see what’s going on in heaven. The cornerstone of his message was that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
In this episode, I talk about the windows we can look through, not just to see what is in heaven, but to experience the kingdom of heaven here and now.
You already have access to these windows and may have already been looking through them at times. Jesus calls them “Beatitudes.”
Wait a minute, you’re thinking, I know the Beatitudes. I can’t see into heaven with them. Well, maybe it’s time to look again and look at them from a fresh perspective.
Understanding the Beatitudes
The word beatitude means a state of blessedness. Jesus was blessing the people listening to him during the Sermon on the Mount. And he is blessing us with these proclamations of blessedness.
Jesus blessed things that didn’t seem like blessings:
- the poor in spirit
- the mourners
- and those who were persecuted for righteousness’ sake
What on earth is he talking about? I hope you get some fresh insights in this episode.
Thanks so much for listening.
Please share this with a friend.
I hope you are safe and doing well.
Blessings,
James
Bible References
Matthew 4:17 KJV
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 1:15 KJV
15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
John 4:24 ESV
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Revelation 21:4 ESV
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
I Corinthians 15:50 ESV
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
John 18:37 ESV
37 For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.
John 5:19 ESV
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
Sermon on the Mount Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, & 7
Beatitudes
Matthew 5:3-12 KJV
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
