Abraham possessed Canaan below, and Canaan above. The regenerate saints of the true church have the same inheritance as he (Abraham) had/has. Let us enjoy it, steward it, and preserve it for the kingdom of God.

Sometimes we hear a lot of good teaching on how the church’s saints on earth are “aliens and strangers”; and how we do not really “belong” here, and how we do not “fit in” here. All of this is pretty much true; and it is important that we know this and believe it. But, I wonder if sometimes we do not take this concept too far, and draw conclusions that are not so savory/good/biblical?

The truth is, we *are* “sojourners and exiles.” The Apostle Peter makes this clear (in 1 Pet. 2:11). But the true regenerate church also “owns” the earth. It is ours. It has been given to us by our gracious Lord, King, and Master Jesus Christ. We have “inherited” it (Matt. 5:5)…In reality, the non-regenerate people do *not* own this planet; and it is they—not us—who are “squatting” on it. We Christians give them “squatter’s rights”; but we should never cede the title of the earth to them. To do so is to dishonor our Head (Jesus).

The problem, I think, is that we are tempted to make too wide a “gap” between heaven and earth. In Jesus Christ and His kingdom, these two “realms” are now united. This “connection” is in the one holy catholic and apostolic church. The church in heaven is one with the church on earth.

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