Types of Rewards
General Rewards
Some believers may ask the following questions, “What is the big deal about rewards? Isn’t it enough to just enter in?” While some believers may be content with just receiving entry into Heaven, Christ’s desire is that believers reach their full potential on earth to receive the maximum rewards in Heaven.[1] So, what is the big fuss about rewards? There will be varying degrees of rewards according to the Apostle Paul’s writings as he references celestial and terrestrial bodies in their difference in glory to the rewards received after the resurrection of the dead.[2] Just as the sun outshines the moon but they both give light, it will be the same way with Christ’s rewards for the faithful. Some of the rewards to be given are as follow:
a.) Praise – Man may not give praise for a work well done on earth, but Christ takes notice of every action done in His name and for His glory, which will be rewarded in Heaven.[3] The Apostle Paul writes that each one’s praise will come from God.[4]
b.) Honor – Saints who have remained faithful unto God will receive honor.[5] Peter writes that those saints who have been tested by the fire will receive praise, honor, and glory.[6]
c.) Glory – Believers will receive different manifestations of glory to be rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ.[7] The Apostle Paul writes that God receives glory manifested through the saints He glorifies.[8]
d.) Abundant Entrance – Some may consider this the VIP welcome for the faithful to encompass the other rewards.[9] The Apostle Peter says that there will be an abundant entrance into the kingdom for the faithful.[10]
e.) Treasure – The time to invest in one’s eternal future is now on earth.[11] Jesus warned against storing up earthly treasures which would be destroyed, but rather store treasures in Heaven for eternity.[12]
These are just a few of the general rewards to be given, but there are more that the believer will be privileged to receive as payment for their faithfulness.[13] Man cannot possibly perceive the extent to which these rewards will truly be manifested until that great and glorious day. Nevertheless, God has given a preview through His Word so that the believer may know that their faithfulness is not in vain.
Crowns as Rewards
In 1984, minister and songwriter, Thomas Whitfield, wrote the classic gospel song, I Shall Wear A Crown, which was ministered by him and his group – the Thomas Whitfield Company.[14] The main lyrics to the song says, “I shall wear a crown. I shall see His face. I’m going to put on my robe and tell the story of how I made it over – soon as I get home.”[15] This song was written to give believers hope in knowing that their struggles on earth are not in vain, but they will be rewarded once they reach their eternal destination. Christ had to first wear a crown of thorns in order to get the victory over death and hell so that the believer could wear an eternal crown of victory.[16] Only through the shedding of His blood would this have even been possible due to man’s fallen state. Believers can be assured that they can be victorious because the King of Glory was victorious – who will one day come back as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.[17]
The crowns, which are called stephanos (believer’s wreath) in the Greek, that will be given as rewards to the believer will stand in testimony to the magnificence and glory of the Rewarder.[18] Some Christian scholars believe that these crowns are not to be taken as being literal headwear, but serve as a symbolic recognition given by Christ for His faithful believers, while others have defined them as tangible rewards.[19] Rather these crowns are to be taken as literal or not, the important point to be understood is the value that each of these crowns holds in Christ’s eyes as a gift from Him to His faithful ones. The Bible does, however, support the symbolic nature of these various crowns that will be rewarded to His chosen recipients for their kingdom service.[20]
The Incorruptible Crown
The Apostle Paul spoke of the believer receiving an incorruptible crown. “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Corinthians 9:25).[21] During Paul’s time, the Greeks loved to hold athletic games similar to what modern times have as the World Cup. These games were held every four years in Olympia where the audiences and contestants were from Greece and beyond.[22]
The Olympic Games were an important part of Greek culture and were held from 776 BCE to 393 CE.[23] The athletes were trained by professionals who were masters at knowing how to work certain muscles of the body and assist the athlete in eating the right diet for optimal results.[24] After much long and strenuous training, the winners of these games received a crown (wreath) made out of olives leaves or pine cones from trees.[25] This is what Paul was referring to as a corruptible crown because the crowns that these athletes received would eventually go bad, but the crown laid out for the righteous would be eternal.
Just as athletes have to train with strict discipline to obtain their earthly rewards, the Christian should have a well-disciplined life in service to God. The believer’s dedication to Christ should be no less than that of an athlete who knows that his discipline will produce a great reward in the end. The training may not always feel pleasant while in the process, but to see the end result, will make the pain and anguish more meaningful than anyone can possibly imagine.
The Crown of Rejoicing
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about his delight in them and that they were like a crown of rejoicing for him.[26] The Bible says, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).[27] The Apostle Paul was happy that they had come to the knowledge and acceptance of Christ. This crown was not one to be taken literal but was symbolic of his expressed happiness in them as believers.[28] The Bible lets one know that Heaven rejoices when just one sinner accepts Christ into their heart.[29] Therefore, Heaven will rejoice at the judgment seat of Christ for believers who have been inspirational in leading others to Him with their prayers, witness, testimonies, and life of service.[30]
The Crown of Righteousness
The crown of righteousness is used by the Apostle Paul in explaining an eschatological reward to be received by those faithful in righteous living and for those who have anxiously awaited in hopes and great anticipation of Christ’s return.[31] Many Christians make the solemn mistake of being in love with the things of the world and secretly wish for Jesus to delay His coming for selfish motives.[32] Unbeknownst to them, those who have put aside their fleshly desires and idolatrous attachments to earthly things are the ones who are living righteously. They do so with the knowledge that they are setting up treasures in Heaven and will one day reap the due reward.[33]
The Crown of Glory
The Apostle Peter spoke of the crown of glory as being a reward for those who shepherd God’s flock. Peter writes, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).[34] This reward is for the undershepherds who appropriately fulfilled their duties for that which they were called.[35] They were not trying to obtain selfish gain, fame, or wishing to be narcissistic in their office. These leaders had a sincere heart for the saints of God and did so with the utmost humility. They lived sacrificial lives of service out of care, empathy, and concern for those in their care as well as led sinners to Christ. Not only did they teach others the ways of God, but they led by example. This reward to be given, like the incorruptible crown, will never diminish but will symbolically be embellished in great boasting, praise, and glory that will never cease.[36]
The Crown of Life
The Apostle James writes about the crown of life as being one that will be given to the faithful who have endured much suffering and/or persecution even unto death. He writes, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).[37] Many Christians suffer great persecution and martyrdom all throughout the world for the sake of Christ. Their suffering and/or lost of life is not going unnoticed by Heaven. Jesus will reward all who suffers and lay down their life on account of Him. Other Christians have suffered due to rejection by friends, family and loved ones because they stood for what was right. They too will receive the crown of life, which will be given to those who have endured much suffering for His name’s sake and yet, remained faithful to the end. Jesus told the disciples that anyone who wanted to be a disciple of His would have to carry their cross and follow Him.[38] The rewards that will be given in Heaven will not be easy to obtain, but those who refuse to quit and remain steadfast to the very end will receive the rewards that are promised in the Word of God.
Conclusion
The judgment seat of Christ should not be viewed as a scary event for the believer. This is a time like that of a graduate who has passed their courses and will walk across the platform to receive their diploma.[39] Some may receive the reward of having honors while others receive just the diploma itself.[40] Likewise, the believer whose name is written in the Book of Life does not have to fear that they will receive punishment at the Bema Seat.[41] The final destination of the believer will have already been determined and there will only be rewards that they will have the great pleasure of looking forward to receiving if they did well in their service to Christ.[42]
All one has to understand is that because Jesus paid the debt of sin for the believer, they can be confident in knowing that Christ will not be condemning them at this stage but will be rewarding them for a job well-done.[43] The chastisements that believers receive in this life are in preparation for the next. Therefore, there are no further improvements that a punishment would provide for the believer at the judgment seat of Christ nor is that the occasion for it. The works that one does while on earth does not determine their salvation, but it produces their future rewards.[44]
Although the writers of the Bible did their best to explain what believers have to look forward to, words cannot express in its fullness what God has in store for His faithful children. The Bible says, “However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.’ ” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).[45] No one can fully imagine the things that God has planned for His faithful, but one can be sure that the rewards to be received will be worth the sacrifices made while here on earth for those who endure till the end.[46]
[1] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Joe Jordan, and Tom Davis, Countdown to Armageddon (Eugene, Or: Harvest House Publishers, 1999), 175-177.
[2] 1 Cor. 15:40-42 (New International Version).
[3] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 152-153.
[4] 1 Cor. 4:5 (New International Version).
[5] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 153.
[6] 1 Pet. 1:7 (New International Version).
[7] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 154.
[8] Rom. 9:23 (New International Version).
[9] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 154-155.
[10] 2 Pet. 1:11 (New International Version).
[11] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 155.
[12] Matt. 6:19-21 (New International Version).
[13] J. Paul Tanner, "THE "MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB" IN REV 19:6-10 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST," Trinity Journal 26, no. 1 (Spring 2005): 66-68.
[14] Thomas Whitfield, "I SHALL WEAR A CROWN," YouTube, August 4, 2009, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxPuK1xfcDg.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 169.
[17] Rev. 19:16 (New International Version).
[18] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 170.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid.
[21] 1 Cor. 9:25 (New King James Version).
[22] Mark Cartwright, "Ancient Olympic Games," Ancient History Encyclopedia, last modified March 13, 2018, https://www.ancient.eu/Olympic_Games/.
[23] Cartwright, "Olympic Games.”
[24] Ibid.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 172.
[27] 1 Thess. 2:19-20 (New King James Version).
[28] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 172.
[29] Luke 15:7 (New International Version).
[30] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 173.
[31] Ibid.
[32]Ibid.
[33] Matt. 6:19-21 (New International Version).
[34] 1 Pet. 5:4 (New International Version).
[35] Ibid.
[36] Hoyt, Judgment Seat, 174-175.
[37] James 1:12 (New International Version).
[38]Matt. 16:24-26 (English Standard Version).
[39] Tanner, "The Marriage Supper," 66-68.
[40] Jim Wainscott, The Eleventh-Hour Overcomers: In Pursuit of the Ultimate Prize (WestBow: Bloomington, 2013), 3-4.
[41] Ibid.
[42] Wainscott, The Eleventh Hour, 3-4.
[43] Bob Wilkin, "THE DAY IS THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST," Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society Autumn 2007 20, no. 39 (Fall 2007): 6-10, http://faithalone.org/journal.html.
[44] Ibid.
[45]1 Cor. 2:9-10 (New International Version).
[46] Michael E. Maher, Eternal Judgement: We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of himself to God (Foundation doctrines of Christ) (Lulu Independent Publishing, 2017), 10-17.
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