The Value of Your Reward

Have you ever wondered about your reward? As a Christian, it seems sort of selfish to look forward to recompense for what we have done on the earth. Indeed, in the parable about the servant laboring out in the field we learn that we are just doing our duty (Lk 17:10). Though doing our duty for God is translated into being a servant, and not being a person of no value, we still feel caution when equating our service with reward.

This morning the Lord broached this subject by having me look first at Jesus’ reward, and seeing that there is a purpose in being rewarded that transcends personal benefit. The scripture I was led to is found in Revelation 5; “’Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it . . . ‘You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’” (Rev 5:2,3,9,10).

Jesus was worthy, and part of His reward is to open the scroll. Besides dying for the purchase of men’s souls, we read that He makes those men into priests who will rule with Him in a Kingdom. His reward results in the government of the Kingdom being established. Yet this was not Jesus’ idea alone; He was doing the will of the Father. In partnering with His Father, and finishing His Father’s will on the earth, Jesus obtained a name above all names, a throne from which to rule, the authority to put all God’s enemies under His feet, and brothers and sisters to rule with Him in His kingdom. We are in His family now, and He is not ashamed to call us brothers (Heb 2:11).

One of the clues to Jesus’ reward is that He overcame. In Rev3:21 we learn that we are invited to overcome also, and then to sit with Jesus in His throne, just as He overcame and sat down in His Father’s throne. The idea of imitating Jesus is what makes us His followers, or “Christians.” As He was rewarded, so shall we be rewarded. As His reward was for the benefit for others, and to further the work of the Father on this earth, so shall our reward be. Jesus’ Spirit lives in us to make us just as worthy as He is.

What would this world be like if there were many worthy, overcoming people walking around as sons of God? There has never been such a time yet. In fact, not only do we groan inside to be glorified as sons of God, but the whole creation groans, waiting for us to receive our reward (Rom 8:19-22). The creation knows something better is coming and waits for it.

When Jesus’ sacrifice was complete, the prince of this world was judged. Because of one man’s overcoming, satan was condemned, for Jesus’ blood was righteous (Jn 16:11). It was a victory that brought tremendous authority with it. In this same manner, with the overcoming of the saints will come their reign in the Kingdom of God, and they will be set on thrones. Jesus told His disciples that they would judge the 12 tribes of Israel (Mt 19:28). The disciples had overcome the traditions of their fathers, forsaking all to walk in the newness of Life that Jesus brought. They partnered with Jesus until the end of the appointed works left for them to do on the earth. This partnership brought their reward, and the establishment of the new Covenant and end of the former covenant.

We in our times also have an overcoming to accomplish. We also have to overcome the traditions of the world, as well as the error of men and deceiving spirits let loose on the earth. Just as many of the first century Christian leaders were martyred, so we are admonished to overcome our enemy by “not loving our lives unto death.” (Rev 12:11). Those who overcome will be set on thrones (Rev 20:4). With the reign of Christ and His overcomers comes the judgment of all who opposed God and the faint-hearted who turned back. It is necessary to separate the holy from the profane in order to establish an entry into the City of God for all those who overcame (Rev 22:12-15).

In comparing our overcoming to Jesus’ overcoming, I have pointed out many similarities. Though no man can have His reward, yet we should not discount the value of our reward. He is preparing the whole world for a future in which those who overcome will reign with Him. In reigning with Him, we are preparing the people who follow Jesus to enter the City of God. In standing with Jesus during the oppression of the enemy (Rev 17:14), we assist Him in putting His enemies under His feet. Just as authority came to Jesus, it will come to His overcomers when the time is ready. Should we look forward to the day of our reward? The whole earth is looking forward to that day, so let us also. Amen.