Prepare for Persecution, Not Prosperity

Understand that the message being conveyed prepares followers for impending hardships and persecution rather than anticipated prosperity and comfort. The expectation of an immediate restoration of ideal conditions, including health, wealth, and security, is misguided. Instead, the emphasis lies on non-violence and peacemaking, contrasting sharply with past interpretations of peace as the absence of enemies. Followers are advised to reframe their understanding of their journey: it is not a time of feasting but a pilgrimage towards eventual peace in the long term. This preparation is crucial, as true discipleship may bring adversity, reflecting the experiences faced by Jesus himself.