Does the Bible teach that the earth will be a paradise again? Psalms 37:10,11 “the meek will inherit the earth.” Also, do we not pray for this, when we pray God’s will to be done on earth? Was that not God’s original purpose for man, live in paradsaic conditions? Would it not be accepting defeat by God to abandon this original purpose? Answers from the Bible only please! ~ David J Aldridge
The phrases “the meek shall inherit the earth,” “those that wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth” and “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed” appear respectively in Psalm 37:11, 9 and 3. The same Hebrew word is translated “earth” in verses 11 and 9, while it is translated “land” in verse 3. The King James Version and the New King James Version use the words “earth” and “land” as noted, but the American Standard Version, New International Version, New American Standard Version and Revised Standard Version use “land” in all three verses. Either English translation accurately represents the original language word. The latter versions cited more readily convey to us today the idea involved in the context. Jesus quotes Psalm 37 in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The way in which the Jews used this reference and, consequently, the way in which Jesus used it is well illustrated by the commentators Albert Barnes and Adam Clarke.
Matt 5:5 [They shall inherit the earth] This might have been translated the land. It is probable that here is a reference to the manner in which the Jews commonly expressed themselves to denote any great blessing. It was promised to them that they should inherit the land of Canaan. For a long time the patriarchs looked forward to this, Gen 15:7-8; Ex 32:13. They regarded it as a great blessing. It was so spoken of in the journey in the wilderness, and their hopes were crowned when they took possession of the promised land, Deut 1:38; 16:20. In the time of our Saviour they were in the constant habit of using the Old Testament, where this promise perpetually occurs, and they used it “as a proverbial expression to denote any great blessing, perhaps as the sum of all blessings,” Ps 37:20; Isa 60:21. Our Saviour used it in this sense, and meant to say, not that the meek would own great property or have many lands, but that they would possess special blessings. The Jews also considered the land of Canaan as a type of heaven, and of the blessings under the Messiah. To inherit the land became, therefore, an expression denoting those blessings. When our Saviour uses this language here, he means that the meek shall be received into his kingdom, and partake of its blessings here, and of the glories of the heavenly Canaan hereafter. (Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
Under this expression, which was commonly used by the prophets to signify the land of Canaan, in which all temporal good abounded, Judg 18:9-10, Jesus Christ points out that abundance of spiritual good, which was provided for men in the Gospel. Besides, Canaan was a type of the kingdom of God; and who is so likely to inherit glory as the man in whom the meekness and gentleness of Jesus dwelt? (Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Biblesoft)
The apostle Peter also used similar phraseology to reflect the eternal kingdom. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13). In all of the passages cited (Psalm 37; Matthew 5:5; 2 Peter 3:13), the literal land promise made to Abraham (Genesis 12:1) and received already by the Jews, beginning in Joshua’s day (Joshua 21:45; 23:13-14), was employed to represent a figurative and spiritual goal in which the righteous are to take comfort in the face of evil men and evil days (Psalm 37).
Respecting the original inquiry, “No, Psalm 37:10-11 does not teach that the Adamic paradise will be restored on earth.” No other passage teaches that the Garden of Eden will be restored on earth. Man was cast from the Garden following sin. The Tree of Life is not available on earth but, figuratively, it is now in heaven (Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14). Happily, Jesus left to prepare heaven for his faithful followers and will return to retrieve them and take them to the heavenly paradise (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).
