"Righteousness" means those who live in a state of caring for others, who believe that it is important to serve and to love the neighbor. To "persecute" means to attack people based on their beliefs. An example of this would be when Jesus himself healed people on the Sabbath and was criticized by the Pharisees (Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11; Luke 14:1-6). Clearly He was doing what was loving and caring, but was persecuted by the Pharisees because it was not in accord with their beliefs.

And what is the reward for these people? A "kingdom" has reference to a church, and especially to the beliefs that define a church. The kingdom of heaven, then, describes the true ideas that define the Lord's church and guide the lives of angels. So those who seek to serve others, and stick to it even when they are told they are wrong, are actually the most right of all.

(Referências: True Christian Religion 96)

5063. CHAPTER 40

The opening section of the previous chapter contained an explanation of what the Lord said about the judgement on the good and on the evil, in Matthew 25:34-36. There now follows what He said after that,

Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? But the King answering will say to them, Truly I say to you, Insofar as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers you did it to Me. Then He will also say to those on the left, Depart from Me, O cursed ones, into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. Then they also will answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to You? Then He will answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, Insofar as you did not do it to one of the least of these you did not do it to Me. And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Matthew 25:37-46.