JerryM

I have a question for any Biblical literalist who might be out there. While surfing the radio dial a week ago, I came upon our local evangelical Christian station. The speaker was teaching about the different kinds of "rewards" that believers whould receive in Heaven. Is this a legitimate Christian doctrine? I always thought that just being a part of the heavenly throng is supposed to be the greatest good imaginable--the most perfect, ecstatic contentment which will last for all eternity. But do some fortunate believers enjoy an even greater "reward?" How exactly would this work? Do some get to sit at the head table with Jesus and the Big Guy himself, while the less favored are relegated to the heavenly cheap seats. Isn't this a somewhat contradictory idea of Heaven? Why should there be any cheap seats at all? To put it in Orwellian terms, all souls in Paradise are blissful, but some are more blissful than others. Is this really what some Christians believe? I would just be interested to know if I understand this correctly.

Debbie T

Christians really like their hierarchies they even have to have it in their dream after-life.

Garotte

The Christian Teaching on the Believer's Rewards:

2 Corinthians 5:

10
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.

· The term "judgement seat" in the KJV is from the Greek word "Bema." Therefore, the judgement seat of Christ is also called the Bema Seat of Christ.

By way of cultural background, the bema could refer to a step or a platform that might be used in both the political and athletic arenas. Earthly bemas were raised platforms on which rulers or judges sat when making speeches (Acts 12:21) or adjudicating cases (Acts 18:12-17). In the Isthmian games (Olympics) the umpire presided from a raised platform called the bema (Judgement Seat.) From where he would watch the games and then afterwards award the winners. Christ is now watching your life, and afterwards He will reward you for the works that you have done.


The Bema is about rewards for faithfulness and service: There is a difference between salvation and eternal rewards. Salvation is not based on works (Eph 2:8), however, eternal rewards are. We will discuss rewards later.

When and where will the Judgement Seat of Christ occur? After the Rapture. While the earth is enduring the tribulation, we will be in heaven and undergoing the Judgement Seat of Christ, and Marriage of the Lamb.

The "How" of the Judgement Seat:
Christ is going to base His righteous judgements according to our works after salvation. Our motives, ambitions, and goals behind what we do. "Only What You Do For Christ Will Last."
For differing works the Scripture records the promise of specific rewards. Suffering insults, persecution, and false accusations will bring great rewards in heaven.

The results of the Bema:
1. The crown of life: This is the crown awarded to those who remain faithful through trials .
James 1:1-4 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.


2. The crown of righteousness: This crown is reserved for all who anxiously await the Lord's return.
2 Tim 4:6-8 - For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 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.

3. The corwn of glory: This crown is promised to those who shephered the flock with the right motives.
1 Peter 5:2-4 - Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

4. The crown of rejoicing: This crown is the soul winner's crown.
1 Thess 2:18-20 - Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.

5. The incorruptible crown: This crown is for those who endure temptation, and keep the flesh under subjection.
1 Cor 9:25-27 - And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

What are we going to do with these crowns?
Lay them at the foot of Jesus.
Rev 4:110 - The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

__________________________________________________

Anyway this is the Christian teaching on the Believer's rewards, and probably what the evangelist was referencing.

Be well, be wise, and seek after truth.

JerryM

For Garotte:

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I do appreciate your answer. I understand the distinction you make between salvation and rewards, but I still feel the concept is not fully coherent. If one is saved, one spends enternity in the presence of Jesus, which is supposedly the most glorious and joyous state conceivable. What more can be added to it? What would be the point of having additional "rewards?"
It seems to me that would only increase one's pride, and certainly pride should not exist in Heaven. In my opinion, this whole strange idea results from the fact that orthodox Christian doctrine teaches that salvation comes only from accepting Jesus as one's savior. Good works are not necessary. Some other incentive for good behavior had to be developed.

K

JerryM:

I heard one preacher talking about this once. He said that the crowns one wears in heaven are important because, "you better believe everyone around will see your crowns."

And I thought pride was a sin.

Garotte

Good Day Jerry, K, and all;

All I could reiterate was the concept as I have heard it taught. There are those adherents who can explain it far better than I ever could. I would think that the premice is the receipt of the reward initially at the Bema seat, and then the subsequent casting of the crowns at the feet of He who is worthy.

________________________________________________
What are we going to do with these crowns?
Lay them at the foot of Jesus.
Rev 4:110 - The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
__________________________________________________

At least this is what I have read of the respective teaching, and the subsequent reiteration by those expounding upon this concept.

I so agree with K's statement as to the prideful wearing in the Heavenly Realm. The preacher who was stating such sounds rather imbuded with egocentric pomposity <img src="graemlins/boohoo.gif" border="0" alt="[Boo Hoo]" />

Be well, be wise, and seek for truth.

Defiant Heretic

Anyone who's interested in this should read <a href="http://emotionalliteracyeducation.com/classic_books_online/cptsf10.htm" target="_blank">"Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven"</a> By Mark Twain.

Talulah

This article uses I Corinthians 3:15 as proof that there is a system of rewards in heaven.

<a href="http://www.probe.org/docs/e-rewards.html" target="_blank">http://www.probe.org/docs/e-rewards.html</a>

Another website, <a href="http://www.biblebb.com/files/macqa/70-13-5.htm," target="_blank">http://www.biblebb.com/files/macqa/70-13-5.htm</a>, offers reasons why they believe there will be rewards in heaven.

Here is the actual verse:

Here is another verse that suggests of levels of rewards.

Talulah

[ October 25, 2002: Message edited by: Talulah ]</p>

K

It was Dr. James A. Scudder (or Scutter?) on his "Victory in Grace" radio broadcast - just in case anyone is interested.