The sermon On The Mount is by all accounts about rewards in heaven and seeing god .
So lets look at a random few of these beatitudes said to have been spoken by The Christ himself.
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.".
I have been accused of being extremely poor in spirit by a few people here where they have politely added that I would "burn in hell". But those same people never have they been able to (1) tell me where heaven is, (2)what it is (3) and what happens when I get there. And you can imagine the giant swerves, stumbles and stuttering for words when I point out what Jesus says about the likes of me and my lack of spirit?
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
I believe we can all be meek at times depending on the situation. It doesn't take a belief in god. Besides, why will the meek only inherit the earth and not share in the kingdom of heaven with the much less poor inspirit? It makes no sense.
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Is this a threat? What about those who have shown no mercy? And If mercy is such a great virtue then why wouldn't god show mercy to the merciless?
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
What does it even mean to be pure in heart? And aren't we all born sinners anyway? and what about the peacemakers and the merciful and meek? will they not see god?
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Why? Why are not the "pure in heart" called the children of god? Or "the merciful"? Or "the meek"?