The Beatitudes.

"'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
  'Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
  'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.
  'Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
  'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
  'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
  'Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'"  Matthew 5:3-10 (NRSV)

I believe that in the Beatitudes Jesus is differentiating between the ways of the world and the ways of God in the coming kingdom.

When God comes these attributes will be recognized.
In the world they are persecuted as they persecuted "the prophets who were before you."  Matthew 5:12b (NRSV)

The ways of the world are: power, status, fame, wealth, pleasure, ego, force and violence.

The ways of God are: love, compassion. forgiveness, charity, humility, gentleness, and peace.

Satanism covertly encourages the ways of the world.

Jesus teaches us the ways of God.

N.B.  By practicing the qualities set out in the Beatitudes we bring about the coming of the kingdom on earth - Lorraine Parkinson.


(Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.)