Eternal Rewards
Do Rewards Exist?
Some question the existence of
rewards for the believer.
Some feel it is selfish or materialistic to work for or expect rewards.
Does rewards mean some people will have them and others will
not?
Does rewards set levels or graduations in heaven where one
believer will outrank another?
Are there qualities to eternal life?
Can someone have a better standing and position in eternity?
Isn’t the
Isn’t heaven suppose to be perfect? If someone else has something I want, won’t I be miserable.
If I don’t get any rewards I will feel like a second-rate believer for all
of eternity?
What are the rewards?
How do I get rewards?
How do rewards compare with grace?
Aren’t rewards simply a way of God, or men, bribing us to do good?
Are not all our righteous deeds were like filthy rags before God?
Some people consider it humble not to seek rewards from God.
There are the thoughts that believers will never be judged by God or that
we will be judged after
death for our sins and properly punished.
The Foundational Principles
Rewards are available to the believer from God as recognition of that
believer being faithful in service to the Lord.
Points To Consider
The believer who has been saved for many years and lives a faithful life
will have more opportunity to build up
rewards in heaven than one who was saved at the last minute or one who was
saved early but never walked in obedience.
Rewards are not given out when you die but after the rapture at the reward
seat of Christ. The reason for this is
that a
person’s work is not completed at their death.
The apostle Paul is dead but his rewards are still building as his work
in the
earth continues through his writings and the deposit he made here. The same as Lewis Sperry
Chafer, the founder of
Dallas Theological Seminary. He
has passed on into eternity but the work he established, the people he
influenced, and the
books that he wrote are still being used in the church today.
It is possible to spend your life thinking you are serving the Lord but to
get no rewards.
(1 Cor.3:15; 9:27) Receiving rewards
is based on actions with:
a. Pure or
sincere motivation
i. To do the right thing for the wrong
reason is zero
b. Serving God in the truth
i. To be sincere and pure in motives
but to do the wrong thing is zero.
ii. Rewards are
a matter of the heart and the head.
iii. Rewards are based on knowledge of
God’s will and a heart committed to that will.
The Issue of Salvation
Obtaining salvation and obtaining rewards are two different avenues.
The believer will go through judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2
Cor.5:10), but this will not be a judgment for sin.
This is stated in:
John 3:18- “Whoever believes is not condemned.”
John 5:24— “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believers him
who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned;
he has crossed over from death to life.”
John 6:37- “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes
to me I will never drive away.”
Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 8:1— “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 11:32- “When we are judged by the Lord, we are being
disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.”
The judgment seat of Christ of deals entirely with service and has
nothing to do with sin. Jesus has paid
for our sins on the cross.
1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree.”
Discerning Between Salvation and Rewards
If you are alert it is easy to distinguish between verses teaching about
salvation and verses discussing rewards for works after salvation.
1a. Salvation
is described in the scripture as a free gift:
John 4:10, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a
drink, you would have asked him and he would have given
you living water.”
Romans 6:23, “. . .the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus. . .”
Ephesians 2:8, 9
1b. Rewards are earned by works:
Matthew 10:42, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of
these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the
truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
1 Corinthians 9:24,25, “Do you not know that in a
race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to
get the prize. Everyone who competes in
the games goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we
do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
2 Timothy 4:7, 8; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 22:12; Luke 19:17
2a. Salvation is a present possession now in time:
Luke 7:50. “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.”
John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son of God has eternal life.”
John 5:24; John 6:47
2b. Rewards
are possessed in the future, given at Lord returns.
Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory
with his angels, and then he will reward each person
according to what he has done.”
2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:12
3a. Salvation
can not be lost.
3b. Rewards
can be lost.
1 Corinthians 9:27, “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after
I have preached to others, I myself will not be
disqualified for the prize.”
“disqualified” is the word “adokimos”.
You may remember the word “dokimos” or “dokimozo” from James
1.
It means to test to approve as one tests metal in a fire.
The prefix “a-” in the Greek means the opposite or “anti-”.
To be “adokimos” is to be the opposite of one approved or accepted
after the testing.
It means to be rejected after the testing.
Revelation 3:11, “I
am coming soon. Hold on to what you
have, so that no one will take you crown.”
2 John 8 They
should have received more rewards but error caused them to lose much of what
they had worked for.
4a. God
offers the lost salvation through faith in Christ.
4b. God
offers the believer rewards for faithful service.
False Teachings
You can see the confusion in doctrine and life application if any of the
above four get turned around by confusing
salvation and rewards.
Salvation is worked for and
rewards in heaven are distributed equally.
We get rewards on earth and our
salvation is only obtained in eternity.
We can lose our salvation that we worked for. Rewards can’t
be lost since God would
never give rewards to us for our works.
God offers salvation to the
faithful believer.
The Protestant Problem
The Protestant Reformation in the 1500’s resulted in a rebellion against
the Roman Catholic church. The Protestants
emphasized salvation by faith in Christ.
Rightly so.
This doctrine has been stressed and still needs to be stressed since
many still do not understand that salvation is not achieved by works of
man. As always the pendulum swings to
the
extreme before it heads back to the middle.
In this case the focus on works and the rewards that come with it
resulted
in them being ignored. When a truth is
ignored ignorance occurs. Where there is
ignorance people’s lives are destroyed
in that area. (Hosea 4:6)
Services That Result in Rewards
Persevering under trial James 1:12
Diligently seeking God Hebrews 11:6
Martyrdom (Rev. 2:10)
Faithfully doing God’s will (2 Timothy 4:8)
Looking forward to Christ’s
return (2 Timothy 4:8)
Faithfully serving as a Pastor (1
Peter 5:4)
Leading people to a saving faith
in Christ (1 Thes. 2:19-20)
Faithful stewardship (1 Cor. 4:1-5)
Acts of kindness (Gal. 6:10)
Hospitality (Matt. 10:40-42)
A Study of Good Works
Men have a sin nature and produce sin.
All their works (from that sin nature) are filthy rags.
The saved man receives:
a. A new nature
b. A plan from God
c. The Holy Spirit
d. Good works to do
When the saved man walks in the Spirit he will be led into
the plan God has for him.
During his life he will come
across and be led into the “good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.” (Ep. 2:10) That man
will
execute those good works from the new nature he received at the point
of salvation.
This born again man, who is walking in obedience, will receive rewards from
God for having done the things God created
him and re-created him, to do. Only a
born again man can achieve these rewards.
Only the good deeds done by the power
of the Spirit will be rewarded.
If the “good works” have been prepared in eternity then the rewards have also
been prepared. They are ready. Are you?
Eschatology of Rewards
Numbered on the timeline below are:
1. Judgment
of believers in the Church Age
2. Judgment of Old Testament Saints
3. Judgment of Saints
from the Tribulation Period
4. Judgment of
Jewish survivors from the Tribulation
5. Judgment of
Gentile Survivors from the Tribulation.
6. Judgment of Satan and fallen angels.
7. Judgment of unsaved (lost) of all
time.
Judgments in Scripture
Judgment of believers in the
Church Age (“bema” seat )
a. 1 Cor.
3:10-15
b. 2 Cor.
5:10
c. Romans 14:10
d. 1 Cor.
4:1-5
e. 1 Cor.
9:24-27
f. 1Thes. 2:19
g. 2 Tim. 4:8
h. James 1:12
i.
1 Peter. 5:4
j. Rev. 2:10
k. Rev. 3:11
l. Rev. 4:4
m. Rev. 4:10
Judgment of Old Testament Saints
a. Daniel 12:1-3
b. Rev. 20:11-15
Judgment of the Saints of the
Tribulation Period
a. Rev. 20:4-6
Judgment of Jewish survivors of
the Tribulation
a. Ezekiel 20:34-38
b. Matthew 25:1-30
c. Lev. 27:32—pass under the rod to
purge out the rebels
Judgment of Gentile Survivors of
the Tribulation
a. Matthew 25:31-46
b. Joel 3:2
Judgment of Satan and fallen
angels
a. Matthew 25:41
b. Revelation 20:10
c. Jude 6-7
Judgment of unsaved (lost) of all
time (Great White Throne)
a. Revelation 20:11-15
b. John5:29
Time of Judgment for Church Age
Rewards are given when Jesus returns for his church.
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the
Lord comes. He will bring to
light what is
hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise
from God.”
1 Corinthians 4:5
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to
me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for
his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:8
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward
is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
Revelation 22:12
“Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection
of the righteous.”
Luke 14:14
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that yo
may become blameless and pure, children of God without
fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in
the universe as you hold out the word of life—
in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run
or labor for nothing.”
Philippians 2:15,16
“For what is our hope, l our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our
Lord Jesus when he comes?
Is it not you?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19
Romans 14:10-12
You, then, why do you judge your brother?
Or, why do you look down on your brother? For we
will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
It is written: ‘As surely as I live’ says the Lord, ‘every knee
will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of
himself to God.”
14:10 “For we will all stand
before God’s judgment seat”
The context is the brother of weak-faith who condemns the brother who is
not legalistic (“judge your brother”).
This is followed by the brother of stronger-faith who condemns and looks down
on the pathetic doctrine of the
weak-faith believer. (“look down on your
brother”)
We do not need to hand out the judgment and rewards because God will take
care of it. The point is it is wrong to
assume
for ourselves the task of evaluating each others work. It is a sin of taking Christ’s position for yourself. There is
great
freedom in this to live and let live.
You are occupied with the knowledge that the judge from eternity is
observing you and
preparing his verdict. Are you
preoccupied with preparing a pre-season evaluation of others?
(MSS note: “God’s” judgment seat is found in many manuscripts and is believed
to be original. Many other manuscripts
have “Christ’s” judgment seat in the Greek text. This appears to have been brought over from 2
Corinthians5:10. “God’s”
appears to be the correct translation, and even the theology of God’s judgment
teaches that it has been handed to the Son
and will be executed by Christ. John
5:22, 27)
“stand before” is “paristami”
and means “to place beside, to stand beside.”
The technical meaning is to stand before a
judge as in Acts 27:24.
“judgment seat” is “bema” and refers to a raised
place that is mounted by steps or a platform.
It is the technical term for
the official seat for a judge who is handing down judgments.
This judgment helps put in
perspective the seriousness of the Lord’s return. We comfort ourselves in the thought of joy at
the Lord’s return, but here we are directed to consider that we will be judged
at the Lord’s return. Our current
lives will be placed beside the manifested glory and holiness of God on that
day. Joy may be the last thing we
experience on this occasion.
This judgment is for believers and is not to evaluate them for the category
of lost or saved. Romans 8:1 says,
“Therefore,
there is now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus
Some extent of loss will occur. . . . .1 Cor. 3:12-15
Whatever is not loss will result in reward. . .1 Cor. 4:4-5
14:12 “So then, each of us will
give an account of himself to God.”
In context the emphasis is on the fact that on that day we will give an
account of OURSELVES. We will not be
held
accountable to give an account, or even a testimony against, some of our brothers. Jesus has that under control.
Application: Today we should be
constantly evaluating and judging our own actions, thoughts, and motives. If this
consumed us there would be no time to worry about others.
“Account” is the word “logos” which means “word, or a rational expression.” We will not just stand there and duck.
We will be required to speak before the God and judge of the universe. (The option of speaking through an attorney
at
this judgment is not said to be available in scripture.) You will speak to the king on your own
behalf.
Matthew 18:23 and Matthew 25:14
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder,
and someone else is building
on it. But each one should be careful
how he builds. For no one can lay any
foundation other than
the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver,
costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is,
because the Day will bring it
to light. It will be revealed with fire
and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he
has built survives, he will receive his
reward. If it is
burned up, he will suffer loss; he
himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
This passage of scripture is discussing the building of the church and is
in reference to the individual teachers and pastors
building the church by building into people’s lives.
“Foundation” is Jesus Christ.
We build on this foundation which becomes our life’s work. The context is in reference to the teachers
and pastors.
The application can be made to each of our individual lives.
Gold, silver and costly stones where used to adorn the ancient temples.
These building materials refer to the pure doctrine and the precious word of
God.
Wood, hay and straw were used to build the average person’s residence.
They may be nice but you did not find royalty or the priesthood of the ancient
world living in this basic type of building.
Wood:
Proverbs 30:6— “Do not add to words”
Isaiah 8:20
Jeremiah 23:25-29
Matthew 15:5-9
The “Day”
refers to Jesus Christ return.
1 Thes. 5:2-9
2 Thes. 2:2
“Fire” speaks of
judgment. Judgment works two directions:
1) Fire is a purifying agent
2) Fire destroys or consumes
Both are true of God’s judgment. See
fire in:
Jeremiah 23:25-29
Isaiah 8:20
Isaiah 28:17
Ezekiel 13:10-16
Zechariah 13:9
Judgment by the Word of God:
John 12:42
Hebrews 4:12
The winners:
1 Peter 1:7
Those who suffer loss:
Matthew 16:23-28
Ezekiel 44:10-16—Some believing Levites will have
a lesser position in Millennium due to their unfaithfulness.
They did not serve the truth but instead failed morally and in
responsibility.
The faithful Levites will have privileges because they did not fail to
perform their assignments.
Consider Luke 9:25
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one
may receive
what is due him for the things done while in the body whether good or bad.”
“appear” is the Greek word “ “fanerwqhnai” or “phanerothanai”. The meaning of this word is “to make clear,
to manifest.”
The meaning of this word is not “they will need to show
up”, or “you will need to be there”.
This word means your life and
character will be crystal clear. Everything
you did and the motives will be made obvious.
Maybe for the first time we will
see the motives we had while we were serving the Lord.
The motive will be clear as it says in 1 Corinthians 4:5:
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time;
wait till the Lord comes.
He will bring to light what is hidden
in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.
At that time each will receive his praise from God.”
“All a man’s ways (or,
his actions) seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart (or, motive).” Proverbs
21:2
“If you say, ‘But
we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
“Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not
repay each person according to what he has done?” Proverbs 24:12
Also notice what is judged. It says “we”
not our works.
Our service is an extension of ourselves.
What is in our hearts manifest itself in our works.
(Though the works are said to be judged in 1 Cor. 3:13, it indicates the “quality” of the works will be
judged.)
Of course, two
people may do the same good service for two different reasons.
Consider those who were preaching Christ in an attempt to out preach Paul and
do it for envy and competition:
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others
out of good will.
The latter do so in love, knowing that I
am put here for the defense of the gospel.
The former preach
Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that
they can stir up trouble for me
while I am in chains. But what does it matter?
The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives
or true,
Christ is preached.” Philippians
1:15,16
Notice above that both were doing the same work: Preaching Christ. The difference was in there motives:
1) Out of envy and rivalry, out of
selfish ambition.
2) Out of good will, in love, in
knowledge, sincerely.
Jesus warned of wasting our lives in service to honor ourselves:
“Be careful not to do your
acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you
do, you will have o reward from your Father in heaven.” . . . “I tell you the truth, they
have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:1, 5
“Judgment
seat”
the word is “bema” and is the place of judgment and reward.
Called here the “judgment seat of Christ” and in Romans 14:10 the “judgment
seat of God.”
“Due” is from the word “komizw” or “komizo”
and it means “to bring”. It is in the
middle voice
here giving it the meaning of “to carry off, to get for oneself,
to receive, to receive as recompense.”
It is referring to receiving what belongs to you.
“Things
done”
pictures the whole life of the believer as a single unit.
“In
the body” this is the position for the basis of your operation. Notice, your body is not judged. You, the one living in the body, will be
judged.
“Bad” means “worthless, bad,
of not account, good-for nothing. The
word indicates the impossibility of any true gain ever coming forth;
worthlessness is the central notion.” It
is not sin or evil. This is the wood,
hay and straw of 1 Cor. 3. The things that may have
earthly value but are worthless in the light of eternity.
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those
entrusted with the secret things of God.
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove
faithful. I care very little if I am judged
by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not
make me innocent. It is the Lord who
judges me. Therefore judge nothing
before the appointed time;
wait till the Lord comes.
He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the
motives of men’s hearts. At that time
each will receive his praise from God.”
“Entrusted” refers to someone such as a steward given the responsibility of managing a
household for a master.
“Faithful” is the key concept. The
master has given you an assignment and the master will evaluate your
performance. What if some other
evaluation comes along that judges your performance on a
different criteria than the original responsibilities assigned by the master? 1) “I
care little if I am judged by you”, an individual on earth
2) “I care
little if I am judged . . .by any human court”, a group
or establishment on earth.
3) “I do
not even judge myself”, in other words Paul is saying
he does not even have the freedom to set his own
life goals nor to establish the criteria for self- evaluation.
He can only do what he was assigned to do.
If someone, even himself, wants to change the assignment or the
evaluation process, Paul must stay focused on the original assignment.
Jesus Parable of the Coins Teaches Rewards See Jesus parable in Luke 19:11-27:
verse 13 “Put this money to
work” is one Greek word and it means “to
gain by trading” and “to do business with.”
They were given something
that belonged to “a man of noble birth.” They were suppose to
work for the man in his place while he
was gone.
verse 14, another group is
introduced as “his subjects” who “hated him”.
Apparently, in the noble man’s absence there are two groups:
1) His servants, who had been given a portion to
be responsible for
and to do business with. 2) Subjects of his domain, but not his
servants. These subjects were against the noble man and
so they would have
been opposed to his servants carrying on his
business.
Cities
for coins. The servants who were faithful to
their assignments and carried on business in a potentially dangerous
environment were rewarded cities for their increase in coins. (A “mina” was a coin worth 100 drachmas or
100 days of pay.)
Each servant started with one
mina. Ten servants turned in
results. We only have three of
them. One produced 10, another 5.
The unproductive servant had his
information about the noble man confused.
He did not live in the way the master told him to. The noble man said “put this money to work”
but instead he hid the coin. He suffered
loss upon the return and judgment of the noble man.
The evaluation of the two groups
(servants and subjects): 1) Servants
(Believers) i) Productive:
Coins turned into cities ii)
Unproductive: Loss— “Even what he has will be taken away”
2) Subjects who hated him (unbelievers) i) “But those enemies of mine who did not want me to
be king over them—bring them here and kill
them in front of me.”
Promises to Seven Churches in Revelation
Thyatira- “To
him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over
the nations—’He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them
to pieces like pottery.’ just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star.”
(2:26-28)
my God, and I will also
write on him my new name.” (3:12)
Who are those who “Overcome”?
“To him who overcomes. . .” Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5,
12, 21
“Overcomes” is from the Greek word developed from nikh “nika”
which means “conquest, victory” and is used once in the NT in 1 Jn. 5:4. The word in
Revelation for “overcome” is the word nikaw “nikao”
and means “to subdue.” It is translated
24x as “overcome”, 2x as “conquer”, 1x as “prevail” and 1x as “get the
victory,” It is used in reference to God
in Romans 3:4 and to Christ in John 16:33, Rev. 3:21, 5:5 and 17:4. In reference to the believer it is used in
Romans 12:21; 1 John 2:13-14; 4:4; 5:4-5; and Rev. 12:11; 15:2; 21:7. In Rev. 2:7 “overcome” means “to be the
victor, to gain a victory, to be victorious.”
This
seems to be a term applicable to all believers rather than to a limited or
special group When we study John’s use of it and the
promises here in Revelation 2 and 3.
John uses it 7x in John and First John and 16x in Revelation. To John faith manifested itself in
victory. The Believer/Conqueror prevails
over evil through his faithfulness to Christ.
In Revelation the victor is the martyr.
“To him who overcomes. . .” could then be translated “To the victor. . .”
or “To the conqueror. . .”
1 John 5:1, 4, “Everyone who believes that Jesus
is the Christ is born of God. . .Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the
world, even our faith. Who is it that
overcomes the world? Only
he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
To believe in
Christ means you have overcome the unbelief and sin of the world.
The overcomers are not a special group of believers who surpass
others in performance. This is a general
description of normal believers.
John uses the
word “overcomes” for the believer/conqueror because he expects a believer in
Christ to have victory
over the world.
The victory we achieve is like the victory Jesus achieved: “Just as I
overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev. 3:21)
In the use of “overcome” in John’s writing there is a tension between
positional truth and achieved rewards.
Even the white clothes are: a) a result of being
washed in the blood of the lamb, (Rev. 7:13,14) b) described as being “the righteous acts of the
saints.” (Rev. 19:8) So, all believers
have all the rewards mentioned to the seven churches, though some believers
will expand and increase the victory from this position as an overcomer.
Those who do not overcome: “He who overcomes will inherit all this,
and I will be his God and he will be my son.
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually
immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will
be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
This will be the second death.”
The Promises from Revelation 2 and 3:
Each promise: a) Is the victors
reward b) Are spoke metaphorically and symbolically c) Are difficult to clearly interpret
d) Correlate with the last two chapters of
Revelation -
tree of life in 2:7 and 22:2 -second
death 2:11 and 21:4
“Tree of Life” One of many trees given to Adam and Eve
in
Second
Death No promise of deliverance from natural death
or martyrdom. The overcomer
will not face the second death. Rev.
21:8 says, “Their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Rev. 20:6, “Blessed
and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they
will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with
him for a thousand years.” Rev. 20:14,
“the lake of fire is the second death.”
Hidden
Manna The emphasis is on “hidden.” Legend records that Jeremiah hid the jar of
manna and it will be restored to mankind in the millennium. This is probably referring to our eternal relation
with Jesus who is the manna from heaven.
He will be the source that sustains us for all time in his kingdom.
White Stone Possibly
a brilliant diamond. In courts of law
the accused received a white stone on acquittal and a black tone if
guilty. Special stones were used as
invitations to social events to the select guests. Stones with inscriptions were used which may
mean the value of the stone was the name inscribed on it.
New Name Their
new eternal world and society includes a new name. To know a person’s or a god’s name meant to have power and authority
over them. These
overcomes have an eternal source, an honored position and are above
dominion.
Authority
over the nations “to the end” means “completely”, not to
the end of life. A
place of responsibility in His kingdom.
“Rule” is “poimanei”, “to shepherd.” It is not just judging, but leadership and
guidance. “Iron scepter” is wooden staff
of shepherd with an iron point. “Dashing
pottery” refers to ancient kings smashing clay vessels with enemies names
inscribed on them. This means absolute,
sovereign power from God.
The Morning
Star Jesus is the morning star in Rev.
22:16. This refers to the rulership that arrives at the dawning of a new age just
like a morning star arrives before a new day.
Dressed in
White White garments are the attire
appropriate for the heavenly society.
Rev. 3:18, 6:11; 4:4; 7:9, 13; 19:14.
Where do the white garments come from?
Rev. 7:13-14 says, “ ‘These in white robes—who
are they. . . ? They have washed their
robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.’ ” These are believers. A believer has the acceptable clothing for
the New Jerusalem. An inscription found
in
Never Blot
Out His Name The ancient world had the custom of
keeping a list of citizens but striking out the names of people who had
died. To be blotted out meant to forfeit
the privileges of the kingdom. The
believers of this time period risked losing their earthly citizenship by
confessing Christ. What counts is our
acceptance in the courts of heaven and the society there. This world’s registry of the living is
passing away. Verses concerning the Book
of Life: Ps.69:28; Ex. 32:33; Ps.
109:13; Dn. 12:1; Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27; Phil.4:3; Isaiah 4:3; Ezekiel
13:9; Lk.10:20; Heb.12:22-23. Believers
will never lose their heavenly citizenship.
Confess His
Name Matthew 10:32,33
says, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before
my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns
me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” The word “acknowledge” in Mt. 19:32 is the
same as “confess” here in Rev. 3:5 (also Luke 12:8) It is “homologeo”
in Greek from two words “homo” meaning “same” and “lego”
meaning “to speak.” “Homolegeo”
means “to speak the same thing.” In the
Greek it appears like this:
‘omoleghsei en
emoi shall confess (untranslated “in”) me (dative
case of this personal pronoun
indicates the one to or for who an action occurs. In this case the confessing
occurs for the personal interest of “me” (Jesus)
Matt. 10:32
literally says, “Everyone who shall confess in Me for my case, or for me
before men, in him for his case, or for him, will I confess before my
Father.” The confession will be
determined by the context of the circumstances we find ourselves in. It appears to be in reference to a public
confession of some sort. We confess
allegiance to Christ in what we say, in what we do and in the choices we
make. He will acknowledge us as his
faithful servants. If you have placed
faith in Christ you have confessed him in this world and are called an overcomer by John.
Pillar in
the
Will write
on him Three things are written on each
believer. 1—The name of God which will indicate
ownership and sworn allegiance of a two way covenant. 2—The name of the
city of
Sit on
Jesus throne
Even Ephesians 2:6 says we are seated with him in heavenly realms.
Many of these promises are found in Jesus’ teachings and the NT
epistles. None of these teachings are
radically new here. They are identified
here in these seven letters from Jesus to the churches to encourage the
believer/conqueror to fight the good fight and continue to overcome the
world. We are to know that we are
already eternal citizens of an eternal society.
Our names will never be removed.
Do not allow yourself to misrepresent your eternal home.
Crowns in Scripture
The “stephanos” (stefanoV) the victors crown. It is the symbol of victory given to the
winners in the Greek games or a contest.
It is a reward or a prize. It is
used in these verses:
1 Corinthians 9:25; 2
Timothy 2:5
The “stephanos” is also used as a ornament for festivities and celebrations in these verses:
Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs
4:9; Song of Solomon 3:11; Isaiah 28:1
The “stephanos” was also used to honor someone
publicly who had distinguished themselves in service or given to someone for
their worthiness. These were worn at the
parousia (advent or return)
of kings.
The “diadema” (“diadema”) was the
kingly crown. It is the crown worn by
nobility who were possessor of a royal position.
Ranking of the Crowns
There are five crowns mentioned in scripture. They deal with different aspects of the
Christian life. The crowns reflect
levels of maturity in regards to a believers growth
and accomplishments of service to the Lord.
They are placed here in a possible list in the order that they could be
obtained by the believer.
Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor.
9:25) - this crown would be the first level a believer would attain to. This crown indicates mastery over the
sin nature. The Corinthians are being urged to
run the Christian life in such a way as to receive the reward in the end. Here the emphasis is in self-control. “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but
we do it to get a crown that will last forever. . . I
beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I
myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” a)
Paul is focusing the believers on running the race or living the life
God has given them to compete in. b)
Just as each life has a race, each life has a reward available.
c) Only those who run the race
and run it according to the rules will get a prize. d) The crown or stephanos
would wither and sometimes was withered (either of pine or celery see “1 Cor., NICNT, Fee”) at the time of the victory but it meant fame,
prestige and fortune. The symbol of
victory would fade but the fame was more enduring. e) Paul does not run aimlessly (9:26), meaning
he does not life his Christian life with out purpose or direction. Nor should we if we want to achieve what has
been made available to us. Consider
someone who enters a race not knowing the distance or direction. f)
The boxer failing to land a blow is ridiculous and pointless. It is an analogy of the undisciplined
believer missing his purpose.
Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8) - The second level of crowns goes to
those who live righteously in this world while they look forward
to Christ’s return. They are those who
are not captivated by this world, but hunger and thirst after righteousness. “I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that
day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” a) This is a crown for righteous behavior and an
upright life . b)
“have longed” is in the perfect tense suggests those who greatly
anticipated Christ’s return in the past and continued to do so up until
the moment of the rewarding. c)
This life is describe by Paul to Titus in Titus 2:12,13: “[The grace]
teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live
self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for
the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus
Christ.” d)
“fought” is the word “agonizomai”
and though it can refer to a military fight, it is clearly a reference to
training and competing in athletics: -It
is the same word translated “competes in the games”
in 1 Corinthians 9:25 -
“make every effort” in Luke 13:24 -
“struggling” in Colossians 1:29 -
“wrestling” in Colossians 4:12 -
“strive” in 1 Timothy 4:10
- “fight” in 1 Timothy 6:12 -
“race” is the noun form in Hebrews 12:1 e) Notice: The same awards awaits all who
qualify. f)
Notice the “fight” (or, the agony of training and competing comes first,
and then the successful “finish” of the race.
The believer can think they will achieve victory with out the struggle
of preparing for and demonstrating righteousness.
Crown of Life ( James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) -
The third level to attain to is to proceed in God’s plan for your life
while enduring trials. The believer who moves forward in God’s call
and assignment in the face of difficulty, even martyrdom, will receive this
crown. “Blessed is the man who
perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the
crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” “Do not be afraid of what you are about to
suffer. I tell you the devil will put
some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten
days. Be faithful, even to the point of
death, and I will give you the crown of life.” a) Testing and trials are part of the Christian
life. It should be understood that when
faced with test and trials many Christians turn back and do not continue on the
path God has called them to run on.
b) Jesus said we would have trouble: “I have told you these things, so
that in me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) c) “If the world hates you, keep in mind
that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) d)
Paul writes to Timothy, “You, however, know all about my teaching, my
way of life, my purpose, faith , patience, love, endurance, persecutions,
sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium
and Lystra, the persecutions I endured Yet the Lord rescued me from all of
them. In fact, everyone who wants to
live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:10,11,12) e)
The doorway to the next level towards fulfilling God’s plan is to endure
hardships and persecution. f)
The reward is for
“persevering” and remaining “faithful”. The reward is not given for having great
faith and getting delivered from the trial or test. g)
We are faithful to the Lord in the trial. The Lord is faithful to reward us for
enduring the trial.
Crown of Joy (Philippians 4:1; 1
Thess.2:19) - This crown is for those who lead others to Christ or demonstrate
fruitfulness by influencing
others towards righteousness. “Therefore, my brother, you whom
I love and long for, my joy and crown that is how you
should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” “For what is our hope,
our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus
when he comes? Is it not
you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
a) Rewards
are not just for how we live and what we do, they are also for the influence we
have on how others live and what they do. b)
It was being said in Thessalonica that Paul did not really care for the Thessalonicans, but Paul said he did, and it should be
obvious, since they will result in a crown for him if they succeed.
c) Gabriel tells Daniel in Daniel
12:3, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens and
those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4) - The
greatest achievement is to fulfill your calling and finish the work God
gave you to do. The scripture
reference is speaking to pastors who finish their work faithfully, but this
crown is not only for pastors. It is for
anyone who finds and fulfills their assignment God has given them. “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow
elder. . . One who will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under
your care. . .and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you
will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” a) Again we see the rewards being given upon Christ’s
return. Here Christ is seen as the Chief
Shepherd paying his workers that he contracted out labor to shepherd for
him. b)
Earthly crowns or stephanos wee made of vines,
etc. This crown is made out of
Glory! (Isaiah 28:5) c)
Just like Paul’s crown in 2 Timothy 4:7,8 was available to “ALL who long
for Christ’s appearing,” this crown is also available to all who serve at the
position and with the capacity they were given.
It is not just the office of pastor, although that is the context of the
verse. The application extends to all
believers who become what God has created them to be and they serve him in that
position.
Review of Crowns:
Incorruptible
Crown for mastery over the sin nature.
Crown
of Righteousness for living righteously in this world.
Crown
of Live for enduring trials while proceeding in God’s plan.
Crown
of Joy for leading others to Christ and in righteousness.
Crown of Glory for fulfilling your calling and finishing the work assigned.
Individual Capacity For Glory
It appears that part of our reward will be how we appear in eternity. The amount of God’s glory
shining through us will be based on our faithful service to God.
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and
those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel
12:3
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will
be filled.” Matthew
5:6
“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their
Father.” Matthew 13:43
“There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the
splendor the he heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly
bodies is another. The sun has one kind
of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from
star in splendor. So will it be with the
resurrection of the dead. . . .And just as we have borne the likeness of the
earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.” 1 Corinthians
15:40-41,49
God himself will receive glory for our capacity for a Christ like
image. Some would wonder if we might
feel left out or insufficient if we are shinning like a 60 watt bulb and we are
standing by a super-nova. I think that
is answered by realizing that our level of capacity will be filled. As Jesus said, “Those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness they will be filled.”
The desire you have for God will be filled. There will be different capacities, but each
will be filled to capacity. In that way
all will be filled.
Contents: Do
Rewards Exist? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2 The Issue of Salvation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . Page 3 Discerning Between Salvation and Rewards. . . . Page 4 False
Teachings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 The
Protestant Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Services
That Result in Rewards. . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
6 Eschatology of Rewards.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
7 Judgments in Scripture. . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Time of Judgment for the Church Age.
. . . . . . Page 9 Romans 14:10-12. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11 2 Corinthians 5:10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 13 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . Page 15 Luke 19:11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
16 Rewards of the Seven Churches
in Revelation. . Page 17
Who are the “Overcomers”? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Promises to All Believers. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19 Crowns in Scripture. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Ranking of the Crowns . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Individual Capacity for Glory . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Page 25