HEAVEN’S REWARDS FOR THE OVERCOMERS!

Today, we want to look at “HEAVEN’S REWARDS FOR THE OVERCOMERS!” There is Judgement ahead for everyone on this earth: (1) The judgement of believers (The Judgment Seat of Christ) and (2) The judgement of unbelievers (The Great White Throne Judgement – Rev. 20:11-21).

While on earth, you are to choose the one to be in. “The White Throne Judgment” will take place 1000 years after “the Judgment Seat of Christ.”

Many Christians are afraid of an amazing future event because of some misunderstanding. After the rapture all Christians will be judged for their works as Christians while on earth.

“For we must all appear before THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (1 Cor. 5:10).

The works the Bible is talking about in the above Scripture are the works we did in His name after you got saved.

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).

Many Christians think that we are going to stand before Jesus Christ and He will go through all the sins we ever committed since we were born.

Here is the Good News: This judgment is not so that what you have done wrong could be judged, but so that what you have done right could be evaluated and duly rewarded.

We are not going to face Jesus Christ for any sin we committed before we came to Christ because they were already paid for in full by Christ Himself on the Cross.

All our sins are forgiven, and we will never be condemned (judged) for them (Rom. 8:1-2). The verse promises no condemnation for the Christian who walks after the Spirit. But the same verse implies that there is condemnation if the individual determines to walk after the flesh. 

The Judgment Seat of Christ does not determine salvation because that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 Jn. 2:2) and our faith in Him (Jn. 3:16). 

The condemnation has nothing to do with the standing of the Christian, but everything to do with his state. Just because our standing is guaranteed does not mean that we will not have to give an account of how we have lived after you got saved.

Be rest assured that whatever you did wrong while on earth has been judged in Christ, and your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

But remember that just because your standing is guaranteed does not mean that you will not have to give an account of how you lived your life after you got saved.

That was why Apostle Paul instructed every Christian saying, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).

What will happen at the Judgement Seat of Christ? The JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST or THE BEMA SEAT OF CHRIST is where believers will be rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ while on earth (Heb. 11:10; 1 Cor. 3:8; 1 Cor. 9:4-27; Rev. 22:12; 1 Cor. 15:58).

The Bible speaks of overcomers receiving crowns for different things based on how faithfully they served Christ on earth (1 Cor. 9:4-27; 2 Tim. 2:5). 

The crowns are rewards for services rendered unto the LORD while you were on earth. Crowning or rewarding of saints in heaven will be at the judgment seat of Christ. The saints will be rewarded with crowns.

What are crowns or rewards in heaven? Crowns in heaven are not just the things you wear on your head and parade around with, but they are the outshining of the body which determines what kind of star you we will be. 

We will have different bodies in heaven from the one we have now and the type of crown crowned on you determines the glory of your body i.e. the outshining of your eternal immortal body.

Like the stars, different bodies will shine differently in heaven according to the type of crown or reward you received for the works you have done on earth. This is what Apostle Paul was referring to when he said (1 Cor. 15:41-42).

There will be different stars shinning differently in heaven i.e. our resurrected bodies will have different degrees of shining (glory) according to the crown you received. 

After we are crowned with different crowns according to our works, saints in heaven will shine like the stars, but to different degrees. 

Some will shine brightly while others will be dull or dim. Every saint in heaven will be happy but with different type of crown or reward. 

What really is this crown? The crown is your capacity to enjoy heaven for all eternity.

Do not think you will enjoy heaven the same way with a person who has been doing the work of God, carrying out the great commission (1 Cor. 3:8-15).

You have the time now to determine 1) The type of crown you will receive, and 2) Your capacity to enjoy heaven and eternity.

There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers:

1. The Imperishable Crown. This crown is for those people who are living disciplined lives, saying no to whatsoever that is contrary to the Word of God. Such a person trains himself to serve God honestly and diligently as a Christian (1 Cor. 9:24-25; NKJV). 

All things on this earth are subject to decay and will eventually perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matt. 6:19). 

But not so for the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:3-5).

2. The Crown of Rejoicing. This is the crown for soul winners. It is the reward for those who always reach out to get others into the Kingdom of God (1 Thess. 2:19). It is sometimes called the Soul-Winners Crown.

The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

3. The Crown of Righteousness. This is a crown given to those who are desperately expecting the coming of the Lord (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

It is a crown for those who long for Heaven, their real homeland. Such people are always thanking God that Jesus is coming back. Such people are no longer interested in the things of this world, but in the things that will draw them closer and closer to Jesus Christ. They are looking forward to seeing Jesus face to face. 

How can one obtain this crown? We inherit this crown only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and without which it cannot be obtained (2 Cor. 5:21). 

It is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. 

Through our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (Phil. 3:20). 

This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, and not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.

4. The Crown of Glory. This crown is for those who faithfully teach and preach God’s Word. It is a crown for faithful shepherds of the people of God. It is not only for the Pastor. It is for all those who are leading the people of God in one capacity or the other like the leaders of the various groups in the church – the choir director, the Sunday School Teacher, the leader counselling unit etc. (1 Pet. 5:4).

This word “glory” refers to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His great splendor and brightness. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God (Acts 7:55-56). 

This word also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is (Isa. 42:8, 48:11; Ga. 1:5). 

It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself. 

For as Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18 NKJV).

5. The Crown of Life. This is a crown for those who maintain their love for Christ no matter what they are going through even to martyrdom. Most of the things you are going through right now are designed to draw you away from Christ. Anyone who it has cost a lot to keep the faith will receive this crown. God will not forget your labour of love. It has cost you a lot to keep the faith (Jam. 1:12; Rev. 2:10).

In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). 

Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives.  

He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” (Jn. 4:10, 6:35). We know that our earthly lives will end. 

But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us - eternal life” (1 Jn. 2:25). James tells us that this crown of life is for all those who love God (Jam. 1:12). 

The question then is how do we demonstrate our love for God? The apostle John answers this for us: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 Jn. 5:3). 

As His children we must keep His commandments, obeying Him, always remaining faithful. So, as we endure the inevitable trials, pains, heartaches, and tribulations - as long as we live – we will surely ever move forward, always “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2) and receive the crown of life that awaits us.

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit! 

Your friend, I. I. MADUBUNYI (Head Pastor) 02.08.2018