Rewards

Dictionary of Biblical Words:

These are as a rule future and in heaven as seen in Rev. 22:12¹²And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12), and in the parables of the talents and the pounds, although Luke 18:30³⁰Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (Luke 18:30) shows that oven now God will see that none who follow Him are really losers. Rewards are for faithful work, and will be awarded at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5). Only that work which stands the fire will be rewarded (1 Cor. 3). Various things may be classed among rewards in heaven, such as “beholding God’s face” (Rev. 22:4⁴And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (Revelation 22:4)), judging with Christ (Matt. 19:28²⁸And 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)), reigning with Christ (2. Tim. 2:12, &c.), reigning forever and ever (Rev. 22:5⁵And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)), crowns, incorruptible (1 Cor. 9:25²⁵And 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. (1 Corinthians 9:25)) of ‘righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8⁸Henceforth 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. (2 Timothy 4:8)), of glory (1 Peter 5:4⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:4)). of life (James 1:12¹²Blessed 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)), shining as the stars (Dan. 12:3³And 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)), entering into the joy of our Lord (Matt. 25:21²¹His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:21)), an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17¹⁷For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:17)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

Future rewards for the Christian are spoken of frequently in the New Testament. They are open to all. A cup of cold water given to a disciple because he belongs to Christ, shall not lose its reward (Mark 9:41⁴¹For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (Mark 9:41)); and the Lord Jesus said, “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12¹²And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)). He who labors in the Lord’s service, if his work abides, will receive his reward (1 Cor. 3:8,14⁸Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8)
¹⁴If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:14); compare 2 John 1:8⁸Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (2 John 8)). At the same time the Lord will reward the doer of evil with its fitting recompense (2 Sam. 3:39³⁹And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. (2 Samuel 3:39)).

Rewards are not held out as a motive before the soul: each should be able to say, The love of Christ constraineth me (2 Cor. 5:14¹⁴For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (2 Corinthians 5:14)). But they are added, in the aboundings of love and grace, as an encouragement amid the dangers and difficulties of the way. Believers are warned that they be not beguiled of their reward (Col. 2:18¹⁸Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (Colossians 2:18); compare Rev. 3:11¹¹Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)).

Rewards

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