Persecution

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

' who have been ' - past tense, all in history.

This beattitude offers the same reward as the first beattitude.

Persecuted; Greek - dioko, meaning, chasing down, harass, follow after as one does a flying enemy, to vex, oppress, laying hold off.
Verb tense - those who are persecuted are receiving it from outside. It is happening to them.
Perfect tense - a fixed attitude of the persecutors. They won't stop / change unless they come to know Christ. Eg Saul / Paul

Why are they being persecuted?
- for the sake of righteousness. Righteousness in Christ, persecuted for Jesus's sake. We are persecuted because of Him, because He is in us and evident to others. Christians are persecuted for being light that pierces the darkness, salt that stings.

Blessed are you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things about you BECAUSE you are my followers.
- present tense
- ' you ', personal ( all the disciples , except John died an horrific death )
Acts 1v 8 But you will receive power from when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The word used for ' witnesses ' , is the same word used for martyr.

What form does this persecution take ?
- verbal
- actions ( hit, tortured, killed, etc )
- imputing evil to you ( falsely testifying against you )

This is the result of a life which lives out the beattitude 's.

How are we to react ?
- Be happy about ! Be very glad. For a great reward awaits you in heaven ( matthew 5v 12 )
- rejoice and be glad ( a command )
- rejoice - leap for joy. Not an emotion, but the fruit of the Spirit. An inner joy not subject to our circumstances and therefore cannot be taken from us.)

What will be the reward ?
- Great ! Jesus Christ is my reward. I can't earn my reward , it is Christ in me and what He achieved on the cross.

Philippians 2 v 27- 30
Two things have been granted to me ; the privilege of trusting in Christ and the privilege of suffering for Him.
I can't have the crown without the cross ( the way of the cross is a laid down life )
The bible tells me I will suffer for Christ.I should expect it, prepare for it and rejoice in it .

One of the benefits of persecution is intimate communion with God because it prompts us to rely on Him.

Your endurance of persecution becomes a testimony to the reality of your faith. When you stand in front of your opponents and are not alarmed, that's a sign of your salvation. You realise you have a home in heaven.