- Scriptural Rewards – Ruth 2:12; 2 Chronicles 15:7; Psalm 58:11; Jer. 31:16; Matt. 5:11-12; Matt. 16:27; Mark 9:41; Col. 2:18; Rev. 22:12; Romans 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:13-14
When will heavenly rewards be distributed? Will there be some kind of “award ceremony”? Will we be given an “Oscar”? I hope not! “How does Hollywood get anything done? Every single week, it seems, the folks there put on another awards show to congratulate themselves and hand out statues to each other; and sometimes they use the occasions to lecture the rest of us on their viewpoint about politics or their morality.” (This last sentence and the question just before it was written by Dr. David Jeremiah in his book published in early 2017). He sure knew what would continue to happen with this Hollywood crowd. As you probably have heard, this year’s Oscar Awards Show was the least watched ever. There are no award shows for firefighters, medical professionals, police officers, or homemakers. We will not be given an awards ceremony either, but the Bible tells us what we can expect from God.
The Bible tells us that one day, after all believers are removed from the earth at the Rapture, individual believers are going to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat, where the Lord is going to judge us for our conduct and work as believers. “So, then each of us (believers) shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).
“Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward” (1 Corinthians 3:13-14). On that day we will be given rewards for what we have done as believers between the moment of our salvation and the day we ultimately stand before Him.
As we look at this sample of verses, we will likely be surprised how often the Bible speaks of eternal rewards.
Ruth 2:12- “The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
2 Chronicles 15:7- “But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewards!”
Psalm 58:11- “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.”
Jeremiah 31:16- “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord.”
Matthew 5:11-12- “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 16:27- “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his work.” (Another Angels’ reference).
Mark 9:41- “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Colossians 2:18- “Let no one cheat you out of your reward.”
Revelation 22:12- “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.”
THE DESCRIPTION OF HEAVENS’ REWARDS
What will these rewards be like? At least five of these rewards are listed for us, and the New Testament uses the word “crowns” to describe them.
- Victor’s Crown—1 Cor. 9:25-27; Titus 2:11-13
First, there is the Victor’s Crown, portrayed for us in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. Let’s read this Scripture. Paul wrote this passage to the Corinthians in the Greek city of Corinth, who were very familiar with two great athletic festivals that occurred near them- the Olympic Games and the Isthmian Games. The Isthmian Games actually were held at Corinth and many of Paul’s readers would have attended these games. The race was always a major attraction at the games, and that is the analogy Paul uses to illustrate the faithful Christian life. The thought, of course, has to do with developing personal discipline. Sometimes we have to turn off the television so we can study the Bible. Sometimes we have to leave our concerns and fears at home and witness for God. The Lord will help us but we have to do our part. The Victor’s Crown is waiting on us.
It is important to remember that self-control depends on Spirit-control. Our own determination needs strengthened by grace, so we have to depend on God to provide that strength to give us the revolutions to live disciplined lives. Read Titus 2:11-13.
- Crown of Rejoicing – 1 Thess. 2:19; 1 Cor. 3:6
The second is the Crown of Rejoicing, mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:19. This is the crown given for playing a part in leading others to Christ. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? It is not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.” The background for this passage is Acts 17, which tells the story of Paul and his companions arriving in the city of Thessalonica. Paul went into the synagogue “and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” (verses 2-3). Then later Paul wrote this 1 Thessalonians passage where he said they would be his “crown of rejoicing”.
Paul planted the seed of the Gospel in their hearts. Then he wrote “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6). This is sometimes called the
Soul Winner’s Crown. Paul was trying to encourage those to whom he preached that soul winning was a team effort- by planting seeds.
- Crown of Righteousness – 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Cor. 7:29
Next comes the Crown of Righteousness, which is described in 2 Timothy 4:8. “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” The book of 2 Timothy represents the last knowing writing of the apostle Paul, and we have reason to believe he was beheaded shortly after writing these words. There are thoughts that Paul knew it was coming, but he was looking forward to the Second Coming. He was ready to meet Christ and content with his record of service for the Master. The Crown of Righteousness is reserved for those who have a longing for the Lord Jesus and who watch for Jesus to come back. Psychologists tell us that anticipation, which is the opposite of surprise, is an emotion with marvelous healing powers. (There was a very popular song in the early 70’s that we may want to sing- “Anticipation” by Carly Simon.)
Jesus is coming back, coming any minute, coming soon, maybe today (Rapture). The
Bible says that time is short, and we must work for the night is coming. The more vividly aware we are of His impending return, the more we’ll be motivated in our work for Him in these last days. Think about all the joys that await us when Jesus returns. That should increase our anticipation. Read 1 Corinthians 7:29.
- Crown of Life – James 1:12; Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:12
The fourth crown is called the Crown of Life, and two different verses describe it for us.
James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him”.
Revelation 2:10: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
The Crown of Life is given in recognition of enduring and triumphing over temptations and trials, even to the point of martyrdom. Motivated by our love for Christ, we preserve and never quit until He takes us home. The New Testament Christians lived in days of intense persecution, and almost every New Testament book was written to believers who lived in danger of martyrdom. The apostles counseled them to persevere so they could inherit the Crown of Life.
There are three countries where religious discrimination and persecution have a certain threshold of concern today. Those countries are Mexico, Russia, and the United States, according to the International Christian Concern. They are further quoted- “While conditions in the U.S. are in no way comparable to other countries, a certain segment of the culture and the courts seem to be intent on driving faith out of the public squares”. We, as Christians, must stand up for God’s principles and not support those who are against His Commandments and principles for moral living. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that we will be persecuted if we desire to live godly in Christ Jesus. But that gives us a wonderful opportunity to lay claim to the Crown of Life.
- Crown of Glory – 1 Peter 5:1-4
The final reward in the lineup is the Crown of Glory, Peter wrote, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” ( 1 Peter 5:1-4). Elsewhere in the Scripture an “elder” is the same as a pastor. In Paul’s day there were no position that was called “pastor”. So, an elder was a leader in the church of Paul’s day.
Therefore, this crown seems especially designed for Christian leaders and for those who are faithful shepherds of the people of God. We don’t have to be an official pastor on the staff of a church to be a leader that would be in line for this Crown of Glory. You might be the shepherd of a small group. Your flock might be your family, your children, grandchildren, or another family member for whom you are caring. The Lord often gives us responsibility for the spiritual or health well-being and nurturing of others, and what an opportunity to serve Him!
- Greatest Reward of All – Gen. 15:1; Rev. 4:10-11
These may not be all the crowns awarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Perhaps there are thousands of other categories that will be revealed on that day. Here is one overriding thought- as wonderful as our rewards are, they truly don’t represent our core motivation. If we serve the Lord only to get a reward, it indicates we don’t truly understand Christianity. None of these crowns really represent our greatest reward. None of them can compare to our best, highest and greatest reward of all: Jesus our Savior!!! The Lord Himself is our exceedingly great reward.
Remember what the Lord told Abraham in Genesis 15:1: “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward”. The Lord had planned many blessings for Abraham, which He outlined in Genesis 12 and 15. He promised to bless him, to make of him a great nation, to give him a great land, to give him many descendants, to bless those who blessed him and curse those who cursed him, and to make his name great. But nothing compared to the blessing of personally knowing the God of all eternity. The Lord Himself exceeds all other gifts.
What are we going to do with these crowns? Let’s say we get to heaven, stand before the judgment Seat of Christ, and receive three different crowns for our faithful service on earth. What are going to do with them? The answer is in Revelation 4:10-11, which describe the great heavenly worship service that will occur when the rapture and resurrected saint arrive in heaven. Let’s read Revelation 4:10-11. This says we will “cast our crowns before the throne”. Thank You for letting me be Your servant. We don’t have much to give You, Lord, but here is my crown. What a joy to one day cast all our crowns at Jesus feet.