Mat 5:10  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Mat 5:11  "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Mat 5:12  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

Jerald Kliewer