Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5: 10)

Congratulations to those who are dioko - made to run, seek after, eagerly follow - because of dikaisune - integrity, virtue, innocence.

Once again the present tense is used,

Are all of the Beatitudes kingdom sayings? Are the characteristics of the blessed the principal features of the kingdom of heaven?

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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 5:1-11)

If these are all kingdom sayings the shift in tense is interesting. Verses 3 and 10 are present tense. Those in between are future tense. How might the kingdom be already present yet still unfinished?