The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes

To understand Matthew 5 – 7, it is helpful to first look at to whom was this message given, and to whom do those promises apply?

Christ says that they will inherit the earth. The body of Christ is blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

What were the prophetic circumstances when they were given? What, according to Daniel, was to occur prophetically after Messiah was cut off?

And finally, why did Christ preach the sermon? (And from where? and in what symbolic position?)