The Beatitudes Part 18

INTRO: We have come to the concluding verses on the beatitudes. In our last message we answered this major question: Are verses 10-12 two beatitudes or one? Verse 10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Verses 11-12 then say, “Blessed are you when they shall revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets which were before you.”
I have come to the same conclusion as numerous others, and that is that verses 10-11 are not a beatitude in the same sense as the other eight passages that begin with the word ‘Blessed’. We find in verses 10-11, for the first time, the disciples addressed in particular and they are instructed on what to do when they are persecuted for righteousness sake.