H eaven
(See: Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 16:9; 18:30; John 3:16,36; 4:14,36; 5:24; 6:40; 10:28; 12:25; 17:2-3; Romans 2:6-7; 6:23; Galatians 6:8; I Thessalonians 4:17; II Timothy 1:10, 2:10; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 5:9; 9:15,28; I Peter 1:9; II Peter 1:11). IT WILL BE A PLACE OF REWARDS What we do on earth counts for eternity. Jesus even went so far as to say that if we give someone a cup of cold water in his name that we will not lose our reward (Mark 9:41). a. When Christ returns for his church it says he will have his rewards with him (Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12). This is when we will get our new bodies, and our greatest reward will to be with Jesus, to finally see him face to face and become his bride. b. Jesus taught that a major goal of our lives should be to “store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21).—Jesus calls those who just lay up earthly treasure, “fools” (Luke 12:13-21).—Only those who have laid up treasure in heaven are truly wise and rich (Matthew 5:12; 6:19-21; 19:21; Luke 12:33- 34; I Timothy 6:19; Hebrews 10:35-36; I Peter 2:12; Revelation 22:12). c. God will bring all our works into judgment, and we will be rewarded for our good deeds. If we were persecuted for the name of Christ we will receive a great reward (Luke 6:22-23). Attitude is also important. Those with a servant’s heart will be specially rewarded (Matthew 18:4; 23:12; Mark 10:43; Luke 14:11). (Also see: Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 6:22- 23; 12:37-38; 14:14; John 3:19; 6:27; I Corinthians 3:8,13-14; 4:5; 9:17; 15:58; II Corinthians 1:14; 5:10; Ephesians 6:8,10; Philippians 2:16; 3:14; Colossians 3:23-24; Hebrews 4:13; 6:10; Revelation 11:18; 14:3; 19:7-8.)
in hell (Matthew 10:15; 11:21-22; Mark 12:40; Luke 10:12-14). If I read scripture correctly, those who bury their talents, and live according to the flesh, will suffer loss and embarrassment on the day of judgment. (Matthew 25:24-30; Mark 8:38; I Corinthians 3:12-15; 4:4-5; 11:11; II Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:7-9; James 3:1; II John 1:8). Great reward is promised those who overcome (Revelation 2:7,10-11,17,26; 3:5,12,21). God longs for people who will love and obey himwith all their heart (I Corinthians 15:58). They will be rewarded with “glory and honor” (Romans 2:6-7,10; I Peter 1:4,7). Many will inherit crowns (I Corinthians 9:25; II Timothy 4:8; James 1:12). God will praise each of us for the good we have done (I Corinthians 4:5). Can you imagine all the eyes of heaven upon you, and have God himself honor you by saying, “Well done!”? (See: Matthew 25:19-23; I Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 2:16; I Peter 1:7; Revelation 4:5). If you came to Christ late in life, thank God you came. It is better late than never. Through the blood of Christ all our sins can be forgiven, even the sins of not living for God. In Christ there is forgiveness. To the best of our knowledge, we are asked to confess and repent of our sins. We are promised forgiveness. (I John 1:9; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37; Romans 3:23; 4:7-8; 5:8; 8:1, 32; I Corinthians 11:31; I John 1:8-10; 2:1-2; 4:16-18). It is better to finish the race of life strong, than start strong and end weak (II Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:4-5). e. Those living for Christ will be richly welcomed into heaven (Luke 16:9; II Peter 1:11). As I have pondered, “What would a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior be?”, I thought of several things. Obviously, to be welcomed by Jesus, as Stephen was at his death (Acts 7:55-56), would be incredible. To finally meet my guardian angel(s) will be awesome. Then I thought how wonderful it would be to have all the people whose lives I’ve touched, and who have touched my life, be there to greet me.—Talk about a party and joy unspeakable. There is a story told of an old missionary who had to return home
d. There are varying degrees of reward in heaven (Matthew 5:19; 10:41; 11:11; 18:1-4; II John 8), just as there are varying degrees of punishment
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