Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:10
Jesus began and ended the beatitudes with a reference to those who will inherit the kingdom of Heaven. What is the kingdom of Heaven? Several times in the Gospels, Jesus makes reference to the "kingdom of Heaven" being come, or at hand. He was referring to Himself and the work He had come to do on our behalf. Salvation, and the blessings that come with it is God's kingdom-- a kingdom begun here on earth and made perfect in Heaven.
In this final "blessed", Jesus promises those facing persecution the blessings of the kingdom of Heaven. Many people would define persecution as physical or financial harm against a person because of their religious beliefs. These types of persecutions are real and many Christians around the world are suffering just such things for their faith in Christ. In our western culture founded on religious freedoms, Christians are less likely to face such persecution, but that does not mean we won't face any at all. Persecution may come in the form of verbal attacks on us and our belief, or even in discrimination at work or school.
Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.
Hebrews 11:36
The idea that we will have to suffer-- in whatever form-- to follow Christ makes many people nervous. Some of us have been falsely led to believe that accepting Jesus means accepting a life of quiet ease and bliss, but the Scriptures say otherwise. Anyone who is truly seeking out the righteousness of God is going to face persecution from an unbelieving world.
Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
1 John 3:13
Unbelievers, and sometimes even other Christians are offended by righteous living, because it convicts them of their own sins and shortcomings. Usually this results in anger directed towards the person trying to live right, because they feel it will draw their attention away from their own empty depravity.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
Those who suffer because they try to do right are assured membership in God's kingdom. But God's kingdom not only means the coming kingdom , but the kingdom Jesus established on earth by HIs death, including the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It means the power of God at work through us The word used for "theirs" in the verse also translates into "they". So what it could say is "blessed are those who are persecuted for seeking righteous living, for they are the kingdom of God at work on the earth."
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Whatever we face for following Christ could never compare with the eternal blessings and glory that we will share with Him. He alone has the words of life. He alone has the comfort for our aching souls. He alone has the answer to all our troubles. He alone can fill the emptiness of our souls. He alone is worth living-- and dying-- for.
Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39
