A Deeper Look at Matthew:  An End-Times Bible Study
Copyright 2012
 
Matthew 5
 
            These are the famous "beatitudes" in Jesus' sermon on the mountain, which are eight moral teachings taught by Jesus.
            We could literally write a book just on these beatitudes and I'm sure some books have been written.  You really have to get the beatitudes into your soul and spirit because they really are that awesome.
            In Matthew 5:3, the first beatitude, we see that the poor in spirit go to heaven.  Well, who goes to heaven?  That's right!  Saved people.  Therefore, saved people are poor in spirit.  Let's say poor in spirit means humble.  The online dictionary says humble is: not proud or arrogant; modest.
            So those that are poor in spirit are humble and go to heaven while the proud are the opposite - RICH in spirit (rebellious) - and they go to hell.
            The next beatitude says, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."  Blessed are those who mourn over their sins and the sins of the world.  Have you ever mourned over your sins?  I have, and can also say I have been comforted.  It is good for you to get a good "cry" in once in a while - it will get spiritual burdens off of your back.  It is cleansing to the soul.  Sometimes, you will have to be pricked by the Holy Spirit to mourn over your sins.  Also, remember that at the foot of Jesus' cross, those that loved Jesus mourned over His suffering and death.  But, they were soon comforted.
            5:5 says the meek are blessed, for they shall inherit the earth.  Meek is like "humble" but it means humbly patient, docile, or overly submissive.  Meek is the opposite of headstrong.  Meek people do not have to get their way and often give in to the demands or requests of others.  We need to be especially meek in the presence of God.  Today, meekness is looked down upon by society, but God is endeared to people with this quality.
            Jesus says in the next beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."  In order to have this quality, you need to have the precious Spirit of God.  (Without the Spirit, you will not be convicted by the Holy Spirit to stop sinning.)  Those people that sincerely want to repent will hunger and thirst for righteousness.  The devil, demons, and unsaved people don't have the precious Spirit of God to convict them of sin.  It is impossible to repent without the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
            Matthew 5:7 says, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."  A couple of years ago, I saw a reality TV show about police officers chasing down and apprehending criminals.  I just happened to be watching the TV and saw a cop running down a guy while yelling, "Tazer, tazer."  Well, the cop caught up with the guy and started tazering him.  And the guy was begging for mercy because the cop was torturing him with the tazer.  And the cop would not stop, he even enjoyed torturing the man.  So, based on this scripture, this cop will be shown no mercy because he had no mercy on the suspect.
            Let's say you are at a nice restaurant and you are dressed in a nice suit or dress.  The waiter brings the sodas and accidentally spills one and it and it goes all over your nice clothes.  What do you do?  Most people, today, would literally go "ballistic" on the waiter and show no mercy.  But this is not the way to be.
            Where do people that show no mercy go?  A place that has no mercy...HELL.  Remember that there will be no mercy without repentance.
            Jesus then says in the next beatitude that the pure in heart are blessed, for they shall see God.  What is a pure heart?  One that is totally unselfish and sincere.   Note that in Exodus 33:20, John 1:18, and 1 Timothy 6:16, the Bible says no one can see God.  But that is not what Jesus says here.  A pure heart is one where LOVE has completely taken over.  Completely unselfish and sincere LOVE!  A person with this kind of heart will see God.
            Next, Jesus says the peacemakers are blessed, for they shall be called children of God.  Are you at peace with God and with your fellow man?  To be at peace with God, you need to be holy because sin strains your relationship with God.  Once you have repented, you are at peace with God.  However, it will be difficult if not impossible for the godly to have peace with the ungodly.  Note Proverbs 29:9 - ” If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace."  The Bible says here that the people of God simply cannot be at peace with the people of the devil.  You will note that people that are close to God try their best to be at peace, first, with God, and second, with their neighbor.  Those that are close to Satan are truly belligerent and warmongers, and have no peace with God or their neighbor.  People like this end up in hell.
            The final beatitude says those that are persecuted for the sake of righteousness are blessed, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Take note that if you are speaking out for the cause of righteousness, even a little bit, then chances are you will be persecuted and even killed.
            I made a video about two weeks ago and posted it on the internet.  It was about the "strange sounds" people have been hearing recently.  (Most of the videos I make only attract viewers that are the people of God but this video was about the "strange sounds" and all types of people watched it.)  I mentioned the name of Jesus to cast out demons and, all of a sudden people are mocking and deriding me, calling me "virgin," meaning it as an insult.  These are the types of times we are in - the word "virgin" is an insult!  But Jesus promised us persecution in John 15:20-21.  They persecuted and killed Jesus - and the people of God can expect the same type of treatment.  Remember, though, that if they do kill you - GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN!!
            Here we are at Matthew 5:13.  Jesus speaks to the people, saying they are the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world."
            Now let's say you are eating plain rice.  Now, what does plain rice taste like?  Bland.  Now add some soy sauce, which is loaded with salt, doesn't the rice taste different??  Yes.  Christians are the same way, they are like salt - they are all different and provide flavor to life.
            Christians need to be different and not be like everyone else.
            How do you become different?  By coming out from among the world.  Saved people do not conform to the world and need to separate themselves from the world; in this way, people can see that they are different.
            Christians that conform to the world don't appear to be different than anybody else so in a sense they have lost their savor as Jesus says and are good for nothing, needing to be cast out.
            Jesus says that these people, specifically the people of God, are light; and you don't hide a light under a bushel but put it on a candlestick.  The people of God must let their light shine in this world and not hide it, as it points the way to the ultimate LIGHT, Jesus.
            Jesus says in Matthew 5:17-18 that He did not come to destroy the law and the prophets but to fulfill.  He says the law will be fulfilled, even the to the smallest of points, saying that every jot and tittle about the law will be fulfilled.  He goes on to say that those who break the commandments and teach that this is OK will be called least in the kingdom of heaven while those who keep the commandments and teach the same will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
            Jesus says in 5:20 that we need to be more righteous than the Pharisees or we will not go to heaven.  Let me tell you - that shouldn't be hard!  And, you know what, the Pharisees haven't gone away - they are still here today.  For the most part, the Pharisees still run today's churches.
            Jesus tells us in 5:22 that:  #1.  Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause is in danger of judgment; #2.  If you call your brother "raca" (worthless) you shall be in danger of the council, and #3.  Whoever calls someone a fool is in danger of hell fire.  It is bad to call someone a fool because there ARE NO FOOLS IN HEAVEN.  Calling someone a fool is condemning someone to hell and that is why it is so hateful to call someone a "fool."
            Jesus says in 5:23-26 that it is very important to make peace with your adversaries, although, in 5:23-24, Jesus talks about making peace with your brother.  Remember that Jesus tells us who are brothers are in Mark 3:35.  Here, Jesus was told that his mother and brothers are outside looking for Him and Jesus says that His brother and sister and mother are those who do the will of God.  So here in Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus mentions the term "brother" so we know that this in reference to a person who has the same eternal destination as yourself.  The brothers of unsaved people are those going to hell while the brothers of saved people are those going to heaven.  You really need to be at peace - and you should try to be at peace - with your brother.
            However in 5:25 Jesus mentions the term adversary - this may or may not be your brother - but Jesus probably means enemy.  You need to try to agree with this person before you get to the judge - because the judge may not show you any mercy.
            One of Jesus' famous quotes is in Matthew 5:27-28.  He says it is sin just to look at someone of the opposite sex in a lustful manner.  But today, we have men and especially women wearing low-cut or little clothing so in many ways these people are just as guilty as those who lust after them because they are not wearing proper clothing.  And it has gotten much worse the last 60 years.  It wasn't long ago that women's dresses had to come below the knees.  Now, in these last days women wear see-through tops, low-cut blouses and halter tops.  Sin is now at a peak and it won't get any better until the millenial reign of Christ.  There is a general lawlessness in society.
            Jesus makes it VERY CLEAR that sin needs to be dealt with in a severe manner in 5:29-30.  He says you need to take aggressive measures if you are stuck in sin.  Do what it takes to get the sin out of your life!  Jesus says you should pluck out the eye that causes you to sin or cut off your hand if it causes you to sin.
            Let's take a simple example.  Pornography on the computer.  If the filth on your computer causes you to sin - turn off the computer or get rid of it.  It really is that important.  SIN NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH!!!  Do what it takes to get the sin out of your life because sin will send you to hell.  Remember, there will be no mercy without repentance.  God is a merciful God but you need to weep for your sins and show God you are serious about dealing with the sin in your life.  Sin is very bad and you need to be serious about getting rid of it!
            Jesus talks about what happens in the case of divorce in 5:31-32.  Most people, even many Christians don't take Jesus' words seriously here.  Basically, Jesus says, if you marry a divorced person you are committing adultery.  Now, how many people take this seriously??  Not very many.  The apostle Paul says the same thing in Romans 7:1-3.  The only way a married person can marry someone else is if:  #1 their spouse is committing fornication (cheating) - (Matt 5:32) or #2 their spouse dies (Rom 7:1-2).
            In the days of Moses if you were caught committing adultery, you were killed (Lev 20:10.)  Today, fornication and adultery is no big deal.  There are no laws against it.  When I was in middle school in the mid 1980s all the kids in my class would brag about how they had sex with this one and that one!  On my Youtube channel I posted a video and someone posted a comment saying I am a virgin.  (This person meant it as an insult and a "put-down.")  Today, people can't wait to fornicate and lose their virginity.  Fornication is IN while virginity is OUT!
            Jesus says that when you make a promise to the LORD, you need to keep your oath.  Note what is said in Numbers 30:2 - "If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth."  There was a man in the old testament that made an oath to the LORD that, if He won a certain battle, when he arrived home he would make a sacrifice to the Lord of the first thing that comes to him upon arriving home.  (He expected his pet animal to be the first thing to come out of his house when he arrived home but, instead, it was his daughter.)  So, he is forced because of his oath to offer his daughter as a sacrifice.
            Jesus tells us not to swear by heaven, by earth, or by Jerusalem but simply let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no.  Anything more than this comes from the evil one.
            Matthew 5:38-5:42 is very interesting.  Jesus says here to not resist evil.  Think, for example, if someone were to strike you in the face.  Most people would want to strike back in revenge.  But Jesus says here not to do that.  What happens when you strike back?  You are condescending to their level of evil.  Jesus doesn't want His people to strike back because HIS people need to be light.  When you strike someone in vengeance, that animal instinct - your flesh - is getting the best of you and your light begins to go out.  Remember, the people of God are to be salt and light, as Jesus said earlier.  How are you being salt and light when you are beating someone up for striking you?  Your light begins to go out when you strike someone in vengeance.  Jesus wants his people to set the example and - when someone strikes you on the cheek and you do not strike back - and even offer them the other cheek to be struck - you are setting a Christ-like example.  The people of God are unique and need to set an example of how to treat other people.
            Jesus wants His people to be servants and givers.  When they sue you and take your coat - He says to give them your tunic as well.  Go the extra mile with people.  Don't turn away someone who wants to borrow from you.  Later on, in Luke 6:35, Jesus says that when you lend, you should hope for nothing in return.  This is the same way that LOVE gives.  When a gift is given in love, nothing is ever expected in return.  Jesus gave HIS life on the cross in love.
            Ask yourself this question - when you give someone a gift, do you expect something in return?  Most people, right away, would say "no," but you really need to dig deep and search your motives.  I know that when I received a $1000 present a few years ago from a rich couple, it made me feel miserable.  So miserable that I wanted to give the gift back.  Why?  The rich couple gave the gift with all kinds of strings attached.  I felt that I needed to kiss their rear end and be their slave for the rest of my life.  This is how rich people give or, should I say, how people with the rich mentality give.
            Remember this - THERE IS NO FREE GIFT WITH SATAN OR SATAN'S PEOPLE!  If Satan gives you a gift he ALWAYS expects more back from you than what he is giving you.  Satan gives you a gift and makes you his slave while doing it.  Remember, God is all about freedom and free will, while Satan is all about control and slavery.  If you are not able to give a gift in love, it would be better for you not to give it.  Don't expect a reward from the Lord if you can't give your gift in love.
            In 5:43 Jesus tells us to not just love our neighbor but our enemies as well.  Remember that God is love.  And when God is not in your life - that is, you do not have the Spirit of God, you are not going to be capable of love.  The essence of love is the Spirit of God (1 John 4:8.)  The only way you can love anybody is if you have the Spirit of God in your life and you let the Spirit of God lead you.  Some people have the Spirit but they are in sin and resist the Spirit.  The most loving people on earth are those who have the Spirit of God and live by the Spirit and do not resist the Spirit.  Is the Spirit of God in your life??
            Back to 5:43 - Jesus gives us a hard saying - to love our enemies.  But, let me tell you, this is the way it is when you have the precious Spirit of God - hate is something you do not want to do.  When you are saved and have the Spirit (AND FOLLOW THE SPIRIT) you want to love everybody - you don't want to hate anybody.  When God runs your life you do not want to hate people, even your enemies.  You want to bless them and not curse them.
            Jesus says something very interesting in 5:44b.  He says to pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.  Let me tell you, the Spirit of God is highly used and abused!  The Spirit of God is strength and power.  When you have the Spirit of God in your life, you have a great deal of strength and power in your life.  When you do not have the Spirit, you are very weak.  Unsaved people, many times, will use the strength in a saved family member or friend for their own gain.  Many want to use the POWER in the Spirit of God.  How do they do this??  These unsaved people will try to get close to you.  And by getting close to you, they want to get some of that POWER for themselves.  When they get close to you, some of that power rubs off on them.  They then take that power and use it for their own purposes, whether to influence somebody else, get ahead, or some selfish venture.  (This happens to me all the time.)  Remember, though, the Spirit of God is not just used - it is also abused as Jesus says in 5:44.  They will persecute you!  THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS ENVIED.  When you have accepted Christ as Savior, the Spirit of God comes into your life.  This precious Spirit is where all the love and power is.  Are not hell-bound people envious of the people going to heaven?  Yes, and this is why they want to persecute us and kill us.
            God is good to all - the good and bad.  You will receive a heavenly reward by loving your enemies.
            Jesus ends Matthew 5 by saying to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Jesus says here that you need to do your very, very best.  Do your best work!  The most important perfection is spiritual perfection.  Jesus is spiritually perfect.  He is perfectly holy and perfectly loving.  Are you perfectly holy and perfectly loving?