Christ’s first preaching seems to have been summarized in one short but crucial sentence, like that of John the Baptist before Him: «Repent ye: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand» (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). It is not appropriate in a brief study such as this to discuss that most interesting topic, the Kingdom of heaven—what it is and what the various periods of its development are—but these Beatitudes teach us much about those who belong to that Kingdom, and upon whom Christ pronounced its highest forms of benediction.
