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The heritage of the faithful
The inheritance of believers is salvation and eternal life in Christ as God's children in communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Even now the father is transferring believers to the kingdom of his son; their inheritance is held in heaven and will be given in fullness at the second coming of Christ. The resurrected saints rule with Christ in the kingdom of God. (1. John 3,1-2; 2,25; Romans 8: 16-21; Colossians 1,13; Daniel 7,27; 1. Petrus 1,3-5; epiphany 5,10)
The rewards of following Christ
Peter once asked Jesus: “Then Peter began and said to him, Behold, we have left everything and have followed you; what will we be given in return?” (Matthew 19,27). We could paraphrase it like this: “We gave up a lot to be here. Is it really worth it”? Some of us may ask the same question. We gave up a lot on our journey - careers, families, jobs, status, pride. Is it really worth it? Do we have any reward?
We have often talked about rewards in the Kingdom of God. Many members found this speculation very encouraging and motivating. This expressed eternal life in terms we could understand. We could introduce ourselves with physical rewards that make our sacrifices worthwhile.
The good news is that our work and sacrifices are not in vain. Our efforts will be rewarded - even the sacrifices we made on the basis of doctrinaire misunderstandings. Jesus says that whenever our motive is right - when our work and sacrifice are done for the sake of His name - we will be rewarded.
I think it will be helpful to discuss the types of rewards God promises us. Scripture has quite a lot to say about this. God knows we are asking that question. We need an answer. He inspired the writers of the scriptures to talk about rewards, and I am confident that if God promises a reward, we will find it extremely rewarding beyond what we dare ask for (Ephesians 3,20).
Rewards for now and forever
Let's start by looking at the way Jesus answered Peter's question: "Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, you who have followed me will be born again when the Son of man will sit on his glorious throne, also sitting on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And whoever forsakes houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive it a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19,28-29).
The gospel of Mark makes it clear that Jesus is speaking about two different time periods. "Jesus said, Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold: now at this time houses and brothers and Sisters and mothers and children and fields in the midst of persecutions - and in the world to come eternal life" (Mark 10,29-30).
Jesus emphatically states that God will generously reward us - but he also warns us that this life is not a life of physical luxury. We will go through persecutions, trials and sufferings in this life. But the blessings outweigh the difficulties in the ratio of 100:1. No matter what sacrifices we make, we will be amply rewarded. The Christian life is certainly "worth it."
Of course, Jesus does not promise to give any 100 field that gives up a farm to follow him. He does not promise to make everyone prosperous. He does not promise to give 100 moms. He does not speak strictly literally here. What he means is that the things we receive from him in this life will be worth a hundred times as much as the things we give up - measured by true value, eternal value, not transitory physical fashions.
Even our trials are of spiritual value for our benefit. (Romans 5,3-4; James 1,2-4), and this is worth more than gold (1. Petrus 1,7). God sometimes gives us gold and other temporary rewards (perhaps as an indication of the better things to come), but the rewards that matter most are those that last the longest.
Frankly, I doubt the disciples understood what Jesus was saying. They still thought in terms of a physical kingdom that would soon bring earthly freedom and power to the Israelites (Acts 1,6). The martyrdom of Stephen and James (Acts of the Apostles 7,57-60; 12,2) likes as quite
Surprise come. Where was the hundredfold reward for her?
Parables about reward
In various parables, Jesus indicated that faithful disciples would receive great rewards. Sometimes the reward is described as domination, but Jesus also used other ways to describe our reward.
In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, the gift of salvation is represented by a daily wage (Matthew 20,9: 16-2). In the parable of the virgins, the wedding feast is the reward (Matthew 5,10).
In the parable of the talents, the reward is described in a general way: one is "exalted over many" and can "enter into the joy of the Lord" (verses 20-23).
In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the blessed disciples are allowed to inherit a kingdom (v. 34). In the parable of the stewards, the faithful steward is rewarded by being placed over all the Master's goods (Luke 1 Cor2,42-44).
In the parables of the pounds, the faithful servants were given dominion over cities (Luke 19,16-19). Jesus promised the 12 disciples rule over the tribes of Israel (Matthew 19,28; Luke 22,30). Members of the Thyatira Church are given power over the nations (Revelation 2,26-27).
Jesus advised the disciples to “store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6,19-21). By doing this, he was suggesting that what we do in this life will be rewarded in the future - but what kind of reward is it? What good is a treasure if there is nothing to buy? If roads are made of gold, what will be the value of the gold?
If we have a spiritual body, we will not need physical things anymore. I mean, this fact suggests that when we think about eternal rewards, we should talk first and foremost about spiritual rewards, not about physical things that will pass away. But the problem is that we do not have the vocabulary to describe the details of an existence we have never experienced. Therefore, we must use words based on the physical, even if we try to describe what the spiritual looks like.
Our eternal reward will be like a treasure. In some ways, it will be like inheriting a kingdom. In some ways it will be as when [as steward] is set over the goods of the Lord. It will be like having a vineyard managed for the Master. It will be like the responsibility over cities. It will be like a wedding supper when we share in the joy of the Lord. The reward is similar to these things - and much more.
Our spiritual blessings will be far better than the physical things we know in this life. Our eternity in God's presence will be much more glorious and joyful than physical rewards. All physical things, no matter how beautiful or precious, are but faint shadows of infinitely better heavenly rewards.
Eternal joy with God
David put it this way: “You show me the way of life: in your presence is fullness of joy, and delight at your right hand forever” (Psalm 16,11). John described it as a time when there will be "no more death, nor sorrow, nor outcry, nor pain" (Revelation 20,4). Everyone will be very happy. There will be no more dissatisfaction of any kind. Nobody will be able to think that things could be better in even a tiny way. We will have achieved the purpose for which God created us.
Isaiah described some of those joys when he foretold a nation returning to their land: “The redeemed of the Lord shall come again, and come to Zion with shouting; eternal joy will be upon their heads; Joy and gladness shall take hold of them, and pain and sighing shall depart" (Isaiah 3 Cor5,10). We will be in the presence of God and we will be happier than we have ever been. This is what Christianity traditionally wanted to convey with the concept of going to heaven.
Is it wrong to want a reward?
Some critics of Christianity have mocked the concept of heaven as an unrealistic hope - but mockery is not a good form of reasoning. The real question is, is there a reward or not? Is there really a reward in heaven, then it is not ridiculous if we have the hope to enjoy it. If we are really rewarded then it is ridiculous not to want them.
The simple fact is that God has promised to reward us. “But without faith it is impossible to please God; for whoever would come to God must believe that he is, and that he gives their reward to those who seek him" (Hebrews 11,6). Belief in rewards is part of the Christian faith. Even so, some people think that it is somehow humiliating or less than honorable for Christians to want to be rewarded for their work. They think that Christians should serve with a motive of love without expecting reward for their work. But that is not the full message of the Bible. In addition to the free gift of salvation by grace through faith, the Bible promises rewards for one's people, and it is not wrong to covet God's promises.
Certainly we should serve God out of the motivation of love and not as hirelings who only work for wages. Nevertheless, the Scriptures speak of rewards and assure us that we will be rewarded. It is honorable for us to believe in God's promises and to be encouraged by them. Rewards are not the only motive of God's redeemed children, but they are part of the package that God has given us.
When life gets difficult, it helps us to remember that there is another life where we will be rewarded. "If we only hope in Christ in this life, then we are the most miserable of all people" (1. Corinthians 15,19). Paul knew that future life would make his sacrifices worthwhile. He gave up temporary pleasures in search of better, long-term pleasures (Philippians 3,8).
Paul was not afraid to use the language of "gain" (Philippians 1,21; 1. Timothy 3,13; 6,6; Hebrews 11,35) to use. He knew that his future life would be much better than the persecutions of this life. Jesus also thought of the blessings of his own sacrifice, and he was ready to endure the cross because he saw great joy in the hereafter2,2).
When Jesus advised us to gather treasure in heaven (Matthew 6,19-20) he wasn't against investing - he was against bad investing. Don't invest in temporary rewards, invest in heavenly rewards that will last forever. “You will be richly rewarded in heaven” (Matthew 5,12). “The kingdom of God is like treasure hidden in a field” (Matthew 13,44).
God has prepared something wonderfully good for us and we will find it extremely pleasing. It is right for us to rejoice in these blessings, and as we overturn the costs of following Jesus, it is also right to count the blessings and promises we have been promised.
"Whatever good thing anyone does, that he will receive of the Lord" (Ephesians 6,8). “Whatever you do, do it from your heart as to the Lord and not as to men, knowing that your reward will be an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ!” (Colossians 3,23-24). "Take heed that you do not lose what we have worked for, but receive full reward" (2. John 8).
Very big promises
What God has in store for us is truly beyond our imagination. Even in this life, God's love goes beyond our ability to understand it (Ephesians 3,19). The peace of God is higher than our reason (Philippians 4,7), and his joy is beyond our ability to put it into words (1. Petrus 1,8). Then how much more is it impossible to describe how good it will be to live with God forever?
The biblical writers did not give us much detail. But one thing we know for sure - it will be the most wonderful experience we'll ever experience. It is better than the most beautiful paintings, better than the most delicious food, better than the most exciting sport, better than the best feelings and experiences we have ever had. It's better than anything on earth. It will be a tremendous reward! God is truly generous! We have received exceedingly great and precious promises - and the privilege of sharing this wonderful message with others. What joy should fill our hearts!
To use the words of 1. Petrus 1,3-9 to express: "Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy hath born us again unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, preserved in Heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Then you will rejoice that you are now sad for a little while, if it should be, in various temptations, so that your faith may be found genuine and much more precious than perishable gold, which is refined through fire, to praise, glory and Glory when Jesus Christ is revealed. You have not seen him and yet you love him; and now you believe in him, though you see him not; but you will rejoice with unspeakable and glorious joy when you attain the goal of your faith, namely, the salvation of souls.”
We have a lot to thank, a lot of reason to be happy and to celebrate a lot!
by Joseph Tkach
