Obedience

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted on account of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Paul, in Hebrews chapter 11, speaking of those who in ancient days went against the “mainstream” and sought obedience to God, explains thus:

“36 And others received trials of mockings and scourgings, then further of bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were cut in pieces - having died by slaughter of the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, being afflicted, being mistreated, 38 (of whom the Society was not worthy,) wandering upon deserts and mountains and in caves and in the holes of the earth. 39 And all, being accredited through the faith, have not acquired the promise 40 of Yahweh, foreseeing for us something better, that not apart from us should they be perfected.”

In other words, they had not acquired it in the flesh, but they will be together with us in the last day.