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Reward in Heaven

Reward in Heaven

Jesus, in the beatitudes, lists many descriptors of those who are considered blessed of heaven—the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those hungering for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Then Jesus says about these people:

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12 NIV84)

Oh, what a happy day it will be when all sin is washed away, when there will be no more pain, suffering, distress, heartache, and persecution, and when we receive the promised rewards!

But are the rewards of salvation, of surrendering to Jesus, of living as God would have us only experienced after the Second Coming? Or, while the ultimate rewards of new immortal bodies, face-to-face communion with God, restoration of our departed loved ones, and a universe free from all sin, decay, and death are not experienced until after the Second Coming, are there other rewards that the saved experience here and now?

Can you think of any rewards that come from being reborn into the family of God that we experience here and now—rewards that even those who are persecuted, like the apostle Paul was, experience? 

Do you consider the peace we have with God when we surrender our hearts to Him a reward? Is it a reward to experience the removal of guilt and shame and the gain of peace of heart, new motives that lead us to love God and others, joy, patience, self-control, wisdom, discernment, being able to talk with God as one does to a friend, and sometimes specific divine interventions in our daily struggles? Isn’t life better in a love/trust relationship with God here and now than living in the world without God?

Over the years, I have heard various Christians, when they talk about the rewards in heaven, mention things like mansions, streets of gold, and crowns of glory. I have heard the idea put forth that those who have done the most for Jesus here on Earth will be given, as a reward, more “stars in their crowns.” I remember that as a child, each week at church if we could correctly recite our weekly memory verse, we would receive a gold star next to our name on the class roster posted on the wall. As the year unfolded, some of us had many more stars next to our names than others. As a child, I wondered if that is how it would be for the saved in heaven—those who did more good works for Jesus would have crowns with more stars.

As I have grown up though, I have realized that the imagery of stars in heavenly crowns is very much like the gold stickers placed by our names as children—symbols of the real reward we receive, but they are not the reality itself.

In the Greek New Testament, two words are translated as “crown”: diadem, which is a crown of authority, power over others, worldly imperial rule; and stephanos, which is the crown of victory over sin. Peter describes our victory crown (stephanos) as a crown of glory, and Paul describes it as a crown of righteousness:

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away (1 Peter 5:4 NIV84).

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8 NIV84).

This stephanos crown is real, but it is not a piece of metal laden with jewels; such depictions are merely symbolic—the true crown is the crown of a glorious, righteous Christlike character permanently and fully restored and sealed into the hearts and minds of the saved. This is our reward!

But why will some receive greater reward than others if all receive the reward of being crowned with a righteous Christlike character?

What is it that heaven values most? People! So if we become like Christ, what will we value most? Other people! And, therefore, what will be our greatest joy, reward, happiness, and cause for celebration in heaven? Won’t it be the number of people we know and love who are there to celebrate with us? Won’t our reward, what brings us the most joy, be multiplied by the number of people whom we love and are loved by and whom we can share the joys of heaven with?

This is an outworking of the design law of love—the more you give, the more you receive. As we experience God’s love, are transformed by that love, and allow that love to flow through us to others, we are sowing the good seed of the gospel. And as the good seed of God’s truth and love, flowing through us, reaches other human hearts, God’s saving grace, healing presence, and transforming love will cause those seeds to grow in the tender hearts, the receptive hearts, and those people will respond positively and give their hearts to Jesus.

In heaven, all of this will be made known to us. God will reward us by revealing all these gospel links between people. The connections of love and truth of which we have been a part will be magnified. God will introduce us to those who had a hand in sharing the gospel with us and those to whom our loving service brought the gospel. We will see where our donation to this ministry or that church resulted in reaching a soul for God’s kingdom, or a tract we left in a home, or a pamphlet we edited, or a song we sang, or a conversation we had on an airplane that was overheard and bore witness to the kingdom of God. We will see how the Holy Spirit watered these actions to lead souls to Christ. And we will understand the sacrifice, grace, forgiveness, and service that others did for us, but so, too, we will experience the gratitude, love, and appreciation of those who found Christ because of God’s working through us.  

And consider the impact upon the saved when God makes all of these connections known; what will happen in the hearts and minds of these saved people in heaven? Love and appreciation and rejoicing and reward, and that love is described in Scripture as a burning fire (Song 8:6). The more of these love-connections we have been involved in making here on this earth, the more of God’s love flows back through these people to us and the brighter we will shine, the more stars will be seen burning in the crowns of our characters, and the greater will our reward in heaven be!

Truly, it is just as Jesus said: The humble—those who know their spiritual need, those who mourn over the sin-sickness of this world, those who hunger for the righteousness of heaven, who are merciful, compassionate, whose hearts are purified by God’s love, who share that love with others, even blessing those who persecute them—will experience great reward in heaven!

 

 

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Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA