A) INTRODUCTION.

B) NEW BODIES.

C) CROWNS.

D) KINGS AND PRIESTS.

E) WHEN MEN (REVILE) PERSECUTE YOU.

F) TO BE SEATED IN HEAVEN.

G) SHINE AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FIRMAMENT (AS THE STARS).

H) WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS; DEATH; SORROW, CRYING; PAIN.

I) ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS.

J) DIFFERENT REWARDS FOR DIFFERENT PERSONS.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

First, we must establish that there will be different rewards that are proportionate to the life lived while on earth.  Or are we to consider that everyone receives exactly the same rewards?

 

“. . .every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”  First Corinthians 3:8.  “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”  Second John 1:8.

 

“If it costs the poor greater self-denial than it does the rich, the reward will be proportionate.”  RH, January 4, 1881.

 

Solid PROOF that there are different levels of rewards may lie in the fact that there is a “judgment” of both the righteous and the dead.  I will not attempt to list all of the verses in the Bible upon “judgment,” but rest assured that there is to be one.  See verses like Ecclesiastes 11:9 & Matthew 12:36.  Therefore, how long a wicked person (starting with Satan as being the longest) is to burn should correlate to how many rewards one receives.  “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3.  This implies two different types of “they’s.”

 

Bear in mind that the righteous are rewarded (eventually) on “earth” according to Proverbs 11:31.  A correct understanding of Revelation, Chapters 20 and 21, will provide evidence that our Lord establishes the “new Heaven” on this newly made “earth.

 

 

B) NEW BODIES

 

 

“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.”  Philippians 3:21.

 

“(52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”  First Corinthians 15:52-53 (see also verses 46 & 49-50 & 54 & 2Co. 5:1-4).

 

 

C) CROWNS

 

 

It is assumed that we are to receive “CROWNS.”  And, according to Revelation 4:4 & 10, the 24 elders are mentioned as having “CROWNS.”  Therefore, if we go to Second Timothy 4:8 & First Peter 5:4 & Revelation 2:10 & 3:11, we can see that all the righteous shall receive “CROWNS.”

 

There are four (4) different types of “crowns” in Heaven.  Note:  First Thessalonians 2:19 is not speaking of a physical crown.

 

1) “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”  First Corinthians 9:25.  However, all receive this one; exemplified in the word, “we.”

 

2) “[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished mycourse, I have kept the faith: [8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”  Second Timothy 4:7-8.  However, once again, all are given this crown.

 

3) “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”  James 1:12.  However, once again, all are given this crown.

 

4) “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”  First Peter 5:4.  However, once again, all are given this crown.

 

 

D) KINGS AND PRIESTS

 

 

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.”  Revelation 1:6.  Mentioned again in Revelation 5:10.

 

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:  on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”  Revelation 20:6.

 

The spiritual application is carried out in “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”  First Peter 2:5.

 

 

E) WHEN MEN (REVILE) PERSECUTE YOU

 

 

“(10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:  for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:  for great is your reward in Heaven:  for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”  Matthew 5:10-12.  See also Luke 6:22-23.

 

“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”  Acts 14:22.

 

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”  Romans 8:17.

 

“(4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the Churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (5) Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.”  Second Thessalonians 1:4-5.

 

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him:  if we deny Him, He also will deny us.”  Second Timothy 2:12.

 

“But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”  First Peter 4:13.

 

There is a special reward for these.

 

 

F) TO BE SEATED IN HEAVEN

 

 

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  Matthew 19:28.  This is all conclusive; comprised in the words “followed Me.”

 

“That ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  Luke 22:30.  The party this is speaking of is found in verse 28:  “Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations.”  This may be all inclusive or a special party of believers.

 

“[2] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge [on “judgment seats] the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? [3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”  First Corinthians 6:2-3.  This is all inclusive.

 

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:6.  All receive this reward; comprised in the words “us,” although supplied, and “together,” which covers “us.”

 

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”  Revelation 3:21.  Only “overcomers” will inherit Heaven.  Thus, this includes all the redeemed.

 

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them:  and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”  Revelation 20:4.  All judge.  But a special reward is given to the “beheaded.”  See under those that are persecuted above.

 

 

G) SHINE AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FIRMAMENT (AS THE STARS)

 

 

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”  Daniel 12:3.

 

The evangelist will receive this reward.

 

 

H) WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS; DEATH; SORROW, CRYING; PAIN

 

 

“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall he take away from off all the earth:  for the LORD hath spoken it.”  Isaiah 25:8.

 

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.”  Revelation 21:4.

 

All receive this reward.

 

 

I) ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS

 

 

In context, these verses describe as to whether or not we will even be saved.  By contrast, the implication is that, based upon one’s “works,” i.e., behavior, you will be “rewarded” according to them.  I’ll let you read them for yourself.  However, in regards to the wicked, they will be destroyed based upon their “works,” or better, non-words for Christ.  See “second death” in the Book of Revelation and verses like Isaiah 3:10-11; Malachi 4:3; Second Thessalonians 2:8.

 

“. . .Thou renderest to every man according to his work.”  Psalm 62:12.

 

“Behold, the Lord God will Come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him:  behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.”  Isaiah 40:10.  Isaiah 62:11 reiterates the same.

 

“For the Son of man shall Come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.”  Matthew 16:27.

 

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds:” Romans 2:6.

 

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”  Romans 14:12.

 

“(7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

(8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:  and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

(9) For we are labourers together with God:  ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

(13) Every man’s work shall be made manifest:  for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

(14) If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”  First Corinthians 3:7-9; 13-14.

 

“(7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked:  for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

(8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  Galatians 6:7-8.

 

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14.

 

“Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:  for he had respect unto the recompenceof the reward.”  Hebrews 11:26.

 

“I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”  Revelation 2:23.

 

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the Books were opened:  and another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life:  and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books, according to their works.”  Revelation 20:12.  Note:  Only the unrighteous here.

 

“And, behold, I Come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”  Revelation 22:12.

 

 

J) DIFFERENT REWARDS FOR DIFFERENT PERSONS

 

 

“(41) He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. (42) And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple {a disciple’s reward}, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”  Matthew 10:41-42.

 

“For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:  but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”  First Corinthians 9:17.

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