Topical Bible: The Judgment: Saints Shall be Rewarded At

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The concept of judgment in Christian theology encompasses both the final assessment of humanity and the rewarding of the faithful. The Bible teaches that believers, often referred to as "saints," will be rewarded for their faithfulness and service to God. This reward is not a result of their own merit but is a gracious gift from God, acknowledging their faith and works done in Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides several passages that speak to the rewards awaiting the saints at the time of judgment. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, the Apostle Paul writes, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad." This verse indicates that believers will be evaluated for their earthly lives, and rewards will be dispensed accordingly.

Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul describes the process of judgment using the metaphor of building materials: "If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames." This passage emphasizes that while salvation is secure for believers, their works will be tested, and rewards will be given for those that endure.

Nature of the Rewards

The rewards for the saints are often described in terms of crowns or honors. James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." This "crown of life" is one of several crowns mentioned in the New Testament, symbolizing eternal life and victory over sin and death.

In 1 Peter 5:4, the "crown of glory" is promised to faithful shepherds of God's flock: "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." This reward is indicative of the honor and recognition given to those who have diligently served in leadership and pastoral roles.

The Role of Faith and Works

While salvation is by grace through faith, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9, the rewards at judgment are closely tied to the works and faithfulness of the believer. Ephesians 2:10 further clarifies, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." The good works of the saints, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are the basis for the rewards they will receive.

Eternal Perspective

The rewards for the saints are not merely temporal but have eternal significance. Jesus, in Matthew 6:19-21, instructs His followers to "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This teaching encourages believers to focus on eternal values and rewards rather than earthly possessions.

Conclusion

The judgment of the saints and their subsequent rewards is a profound aspect of Christian eschatology. It underscores the importance of living a life of faith and obedience, motivated by the hope of eternal reward and the desire to glorify God. The anticipation of these rewards serves as an encouragement for believers to persevere in their faith and to live lives that reflect the character and love of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 4:8
From now on 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 to all them also that love his appearing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 11:18
And the nations were angry, and your wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should give reward to your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Psalm 50 Part 1 the Last Judgment; Or, the Saints Rewarded.
... CM. The last judgment; or, The saints rewarded. The Lord, the Judge, before his
throne. ... And near the western sky. No more shall bold blasphemers say,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 50 part 1 the.htm

Psalm 50:1. 1-6. First Part. CM The Last Judgment; Or, the Saints ...
... CM The last judgment; or, The saints rewarded. ... 2 No more shall bold blasphemers say,
"Judgment will ne'er begin," No more abuse his long delay To impudence ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 50 1 0 1-6 first part.htm

The Judgment.
... SAINTS REWARDED AT THE JUDGMENT. ... and Judge, in the sight of both angels and saints,
forthwith the ... Now here shall all things be reckoned up, from the very first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxvi the judgment.htm

Whether after the Judgment that Takes Place in the Present Time ...
... Some men have held the opinion that the souls of the saints shall not be rewarded
in heaven, nor the souls of the lost punished in hell, until the Judgment-day ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether after the judgment that.htm

The Examination and Rewarding of the Believer's Works.
... of God, in order to ascertain whether he shall spend eternity ... it is said of the sleeping
saints they are ... Greek word which is here translated "judgment-seat" is ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/5 the examination and rewarding.htm

Rejoicing Over Babylon's Destruction.
... the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given ... they should be judged, and the saints
rewarded, is another ... advent and kingdom of Christ, "who shall judge the ...
/.../a brief commentary on the apocalypse/rejoicing over babylons destruction.htm

God and his Saints
... their shepherd, so, this singer felt, will saints follow the ... shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the ... exercise of our own faculties of judgment and common ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/god and his saints.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... also those that then shall be found alive, made like them: then forthwith, before
the unjust are raised, the saints shall appear before the judgment-seat of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The First Last, and the Last First
... of the saints of God. No, our self-judgment, our tall talk, our loud profession,
and so forth, will not be the measure with which we shall be rewarded; else ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the first last and the.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death ...
... by approving, and giving testimony to the righteous sentence and judgment of Christ ...
with all his glorious company of elect angels and saints, he shall go up ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/3 meditations of the blessed.htm