This is exactly what the believers in the Christian religion claim was done for us when Jesus Christ came and dwelt on earth for thirty-three years, then was slain by enemies determined to prevent his predicted resurrection, and then arose from the dead, bringing life and immortality to light. And why did this good Being come and dwell on earth, then die, and then arise from the dead? It was to teach us not only that an immortal existence stretches before us after death, but that the happiness of that immortality depends on the character which is formed by education here.
What then is the character which we are to seek in order to attain immortal blessedness? The first sermon of our Lord has this very topic as its burden:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,"—those who feel the need of knowledge, guidance, and help.
"Blessed are the meek,"—those that receive rebuke and instruction without anger.
"Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness,"—those that long to know what is the right way, and to walk in it.
"Blessed are the happiness makers,"[173:A]—those who
make happiness the right way, as taught by the Master—"for they are the children of God,"—having His nature as the child has the father's nature, and they are to dwell with Him forever.
[173:A] This is a more exact translation than "Blessed are the peace-makers."
It is such who are to "rejoice and be exceeding glad" even when persecuted, hated, and reviled, for right words and actions. It is such who are to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
And what is this kingdom? It is one made up of the righteous, those who long to know what is right and to do it, who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and so are forever to be satisfied. And then the Master teaches that His kingdom is not of this world, but exactly the opposite. For the children of this world do not feel poor in spirit, but rather seek to be called Rabbi, and to teach others. They do not wish to be told of their ignorance, mistakes and sins, and are angry when it is done. They do not hunger and thirst to find the lowly way of righteousness, but rather the way of riches, honor, and power.