Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 115:460 (Oct 1958)
Article: The Purpose of the Sermon on the Mount Part III
Author: J. Dwight Pentecost

BSac 115:460 (Oct 58) p. 313

The Purpose of the Sermon on the Mount
Part III

J. Dwight Pentecost

As the Lord addresses those who have come professing to be prepared to receive the King and the kingdom, because of the preparatory work and preaching of John the Baptist, He has a number of purposes in mind.

First, our Lord seeks to show them that the kingdom He is offering to them is that kingdom which fulfills all that the Old Testament promised to Israel in their kingdom. Such seems to be the purpose of the Beatitudes, for they show the deliverance offered to the nation Israel. The poor in spirit will find their reward in the kingdom in accordance with Isaiah 66:2; Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 57:15. Those who are mourning for Jerusalem and their own sin will be comforted as promised in Psalm 137:1; Isaiah 61:2; 63:13; Zechariah 12:1—13:9. The meek will inherit the earth as predicted in Psalm 37:11; Isaiah 11:1–4; 29:18–20; 2:4; Psalm 76:9. Those Jewish saints who are looking for a final dealing with sins will be satisfied as promised in Isaiah 62:1–2; Zechariah 3:4–5. Mercy will be the part of the merciful as offered in Psalm 18:25. The Kingdom will be the portion of the pure in heart as described in Psalm 24:3–5. There will be the proclamation of peace as promised in Isaiah 32:17–18; 11:9. Those who are being persecuted because they set themselves apart as those who are anticipating the kingdom will receive their reward from heaven in the kingdom. This persecution was predicted in Daniel 9:25–27. Thus we can see that all the blessings the Lord pronounces are seen to be the fulfillment of Old Testament promises which will be the experience of the believing remnant that is anticipating His kingdom.

Second, the Lord seeks to show this remnant who are anticipating His kingdom what their ministry is in view of their confession. In You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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