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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | why are there rewards in heaven | 1 Corinthians | sethknorr | 229069 | ||
I did catch 1 Cor. 3:12-15 in my statement. I think though, to get the real context you have to start in verse 11 which is the main point, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” So the basis of everything, including the reward, is based solely on Christ. Verse 14 simply says if the work remains, ie. built on the foundation of Christ, “he will receive a reward.” It does not however state what the reward is. It could mean Eternal life, but is not clear. Verse 15 I think is complicated, because it says you will suffer loss. What loss though? It does not say. It could be assumed the loss is of a reward, because a reward was mentioned in Verse 14. However, it could also mean that his loss was working in vain. He thought he was doing the work of Jesus, but in fact he was doing his own thing. (Cf. Psalm 127:1) For me, if I worked my entire life for what I thought was a good cause, and found it was in vain, that would be a loss, because it was all in vain, and I actually accomplished nothing. I would agree that we will possibly have rewards of service in heaven, Ie. we will be promoted to positions over others. Matthew 19:27-30 "27Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" 28And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother [a]or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30"But many who are first will be last; and the last, first." So from Matthew 19:28 based possibly on works we may have “management” positions, or it may be that just the 12 specifically have that honor, and is not based on works. But notice also, that all of them have the same position, no mater how much work or little work they did. Obviously there where some disciples that did much more work than others, it would appear from the Bible. So shouldn’t then each receive more of a reward than the other ones that did less work for God? Mark 10:30-31 “30but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. 31"But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” Notice, in the Matthew and Mark passages Jesus mentions rewards now, but the reward in the future is Eternal Life. He does not mention anything else. Just that the first will be last. But think about that verse and then look at Luke 7:28 "I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." This is an interesting passage because it points out that although no one has done greater works than John the Baptist, here on earth, his own righteousness does not equal a greater position of status. Because, the only reason we get to heaven is by the Righteousness of Jesus. Therefore, everyone in Heaven will be equally righteous, because of Jesus. I know we’re talking about works, and not righteousness, but I think they really go hand and hand, when answering this question. The last point that I have not covered, is our seat with God, or our place of honor. Which you could categorize as a reward. Matthew 20:20-21 “20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She *said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left."” This verse has to be taken into context with Mark 16:19. Jesus sits at the “right hand of God”. Think about this, if someone where to sit to the left of Jesus, they would actually sit at the right hand of God, which would actually put them in a higher position than Jesus. Which is obviously a position only for Jesus. Notice what Jesus asks in Matthew 20 22 "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said they could, but could they really die for mankind’s sins? Jesus goes on to say in verse 23 “to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” It does not say why they receive that seat, just that it was prepared for them. It could be assumed once again that was based on works. But it does not however talk about how every believer will receive a seat based on works, or anything like that. I hope I have clarified my previous statement. All quotations taken from the NASB. In Christ, Seth Knorr www.SmartBibleSearch.com |
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2 | why are there rewards in heaven | 1 Corinthians | biblicalman | 229076 | ||
Not wishing for a moment to disagree wth Seth's excellent posting. but there are just two points I would wish to raise. Firstly that when Jesus said of John the Baptist, 'Among men that are born of women there is none greater than John the Baptist but he who is least in the Kingly Rule of Heaven is greater than He', I do not see it as referring to their comparative righteouness. Indeed John the Baptist has entered Heaven through the righteousnes of Christ in the same way as we will. For Romans 3.24-25 applies to 'sins done aforetime', that is prior to Christ's coming. In my view it is referring to status. It is bringing out that Jesus was saying that what He had come to introduce was far, far more significant than all that had gone before. God's Kingly Rule had come into the world in Jesus, and thus all Who respond to Him and come under the Kingly Rule of Heaven achieve a status unknown in the Old Testament. They are adopted as 'sons of God' (Galatians 4.1-7), a term never used of God's people, certainly in this sense, in the Old Testament. They call God 'Abba Father' becaue they have received the Spirit of His Son (Galatians 4.6). They have been made one with Christ. They are 'greater', because their King is greater,and they share in His glory. And they are greater because they humble themselves as servants. Who is greatest among them? The one who is least among them (Luke 9.46, 48; 22.24-27). Secondly that when the mother of James and John spoke of their sitting on Jesus' right hand and left, what she was really asking was that they might take the positions of prime importance in what she saw as the soon coming kingdom. Like most who followed Jesus she was expecting Him soon to make the move that would drive out the Romans, establishing God's kingdom in Israel. Jesus of course sits on two thrones (made clear in Rev 3.21). One is the throne of His Father, at which in His manhood He sits at God's right hand (Heb 1.3 etc), while in His Godhood He sits in the midst of the throne (Rev 5.6). The other is His Messianic throne on which we as overcomers will sit with Him (better than being at His right hand). This was the one at which one would sit on His right hand and the other on His left, a position reserved for those whom God determines. (But does this mean that they will not sit on His throne. Of course not. They will be overcomers. This reminds us that thrones are earthly things. They magnify the one who sits on them. In Heaven we will not be seeking a throne. we will be longing to be servants along with the great Servant (Matthew 20.25-28; Mark 9.35; Luke 12.37; 17.8). Those who are looking forward to sitting on thrones have the wrong spirit. They should be looking forward to being the servants all. Heaven should not alter what our attitude should be. How sad if we enter Heaven wanting a throne. (It is quite another thing what God decides to give us). Nor does God sit on a throne except when he is making a theophany for our sake. He is Spirit. What is being indicated is that God is Lord over all. |
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3 | why are there rewards in heaven | 1 Corinthians | sethknorr | 229086 | ||
Point well taken, I appreciate your response. I was thinking about my post and thought your post would also let me better clarify a couple things. This is a complicated post, as I understand that my post probably can be very disagreeable for many Christians who believe you will receive different rewards based proportionately on your works. I used to believe that way myself. My main point is that whatever the reward in heaven is it is shared equally between all who inherit it. It is not based on works. I understand where you are coming from when you make mention of the Kingdom. I was more referencing Heaven as a whole, taken from the start of the Kingdom to Eternity. I see the kingdom as an extension of Heaven if you are in a glorified body. I reach that from the references in scripture to the “Kingdom of Heaven.” So I would not be dogmatic on that, more of my personal opinion. Obviously after the Millenial Kingdom, in eternity there would be no judging of people that would be solely an aspect of the Kingdom. But since the tweleve in the Kingdom would be in glorified bodies, I used them as an example as an aspect of Heaven. It comes down to when the Judgement Seat of Christ takes place. If it is at the Rapture of the Church, then any rewards, if any mentioned at that time, could/would in fact be applicable to the Millenial Kingdom. |
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4 | why are there rewards in heaven | 1 Corinthians | Searcher56 | 229087 | ||
Scripture ... Luke 7:28 "I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." ... When you add this verse, I wonder about the reward system. S |
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