REWARD

In the last two Trumpeter articles (Sept/Oct and Nov/Dec) we looked at the first two of the three “R’s”, Repentance and Revival. Today we want to look at the third and final subject in the “R” series which is Reward. Let me remind you once again that the logical and certain result of godly repentance is not only spiritual revival, but ultimately it results in divine reward. We pointed out that repentance has two applications. The first is at the time when the unbeliever makes the initial act of contrition and confession that brings salvation. The second application occurs whenever there is an ongoing repentance of the saint as they are convicted of sin in their daily life. In the same way, revival can mean that excitement that comes at the initial giving of Spiritual Life at the point when one is first saved. But it may also refer to the rekindling among the saints during times of blessing at any time along the Pilgrim’s pathway. We believe that one of the best illustrations of this revival is found in Psalm 51:12 when David says: Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. Reward may also be an important reality both at the moment of salvation, and also at the consummation of the age.

It makes me sad to point out that in addition to all the good things that may be said, “Reward” may also have a very negative connotation for those who reject so great a salvation! Those who for whatever reason do not find themselves in the family of God at the consummation of the age will receive the reward of their folly. But those who are in Christ, even “by the skin of their teeth”, will receive the reward of their faith.

Look at Revelation 22:12 with me.

And behold, I come quickly

That will be the time when the unchanging sentence will be passed on each individual. On the unjust and the righteous. This must impress on the mind the solemnity of the truth that the condition hereafter will soon be fixed, and men must prepare for it now. The time is near when it is to be determined whether one will be holy or sinful through all eternity. Sinner! Give immediate attention to the eternal concerns of your soul!

And my reward is with me.

Jesus will be bringing our reward with Him to give to every man according to that man’s condition at that very moment. Either Eternal Life or Eternal Death, Heaven or Hell, Crown or Curse. Our Lord will be prepared immediately to execute the sentence.

The Greek word MISTHOS, Strong’s #3408 used in this verse covers the full range of what we understand when we us the word “reward” including such terms as “wages”, “recompense”, “gain”, “retribution” and “punishment”, and it may be used in both a favorable or unfavorable context.

To give every man according as his work shall be.

The Lord Jesus Christ shall return in all His glory to judge the world. He will come in the full Glory and Majesty of God The Father! This is the magnitude of Glory that destroys His enemies with its brightness. And then shall that Wicked (one) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming  II Thess. 2:8

And yet this is also the magnitude of Glory that shines beautifully upon those who belong to Him at His coming. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Tim. 4:8

Please notice that the word “brightness” in the Thessalonian passage and “appearing” in the Timothy passage are the same Greek word EPIPHANEIA Strong’s dictionary  #2015 and most certainly carry both meanings when applied to the advent of Christ.

Compare Mt 25:31-46. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

And

Romans 2:6-10 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile  

There is nothing wrong with looking for and expecting a reward. In our everyday world we go to work expecting that we shall be rewarded with a paycheck. We bank our money expecting to receive the reward of interest on what we deposit. And there are many other things that are done with such an expectation. What better investment is there than to lay up treasures in heaven? (Read Mat. 6:1-21)

Hayden