They looked within themselves and found the main purpose was to gather a group of like-minded individuals together for the use of their combined
energies in calling up the dark force in mans nature.
As they correctly perceived, the world was based on worship of the spirit and denial of the flesh. They saw need for a world that would recapture man's body and carnal desires as objects of celebration. And since worship of fleshly things produces pleasure, there would then be a temple of glorious indulgence that would bring destruction for all people.
..and they delved into military manuals and discovered that arsenals for the equipment of armies and navies could be bought like groceries in a supermarket and used to conquer masses of people.
The idea took shape in their heads that contrary to what they were told, the earth would not be inherited by the meek, but by the strong and mighty.
And to the strong and mighty it would fall.