Rewards in Heaven?

EJO · Sep 26, 2002

I am curious about what you folks know, or have heard about the eternal rewards we recieve in heaven.
With that the idea of what you do hear on earth effects "Jewels in your crown"

Here is a quote be R.C.Sproul:
"There are degrees of reward that are given in heaven. I am suprised that this answer surprises so many people. I think that there is a reason Christians are shocked when I say there are various levels of heaven as well as graduations of severity of punishment in hell"

Is this a concept that you have heard of?

Quiet Storm · Sep 26, 2002

Not in anythng other than Dante's Inferno.

sakamuyo · Sep 26, 2002

Kind of goes against that parable Jesus told about all the workers who were hired at different times during the day, but were all offered the same payment in return. The people who had worked hard all day long were miffed that they didn't get more pay than the people who were hired just 5 minutes before.

I always thought part of the meaning of that parable was that the same rewards await us all. No bonus points for being a "better christian".

And really, isn't eternal life in a fully restored relationship with our Father reward enough?

Quiet Storm · Sep 26, 2002

Exactly! That parable says it all.

Gerry · Sep 26, 2002

No, Not quite, it doesn't. The Bible is filled with teachings on the "rewards" we will receive in Heaven. I have posted on this many times, and I guess out of the 4,000 plus members here maybe two have read it. Kinda makes you say, Why bother? Well hopefully, the two who read it were blessed by it.

sakamuyo · Sep 26, 2002

I'm new & obviously haven't read every post in the place. Rather than write it all out again, post the links to where you have already written or send them to me in a PM?

Gerry · Sep 26, 2002

An exerpt from one of the teachings on this subject:

Below I have listed some of the Rewards we might be eligible for and the scripture references for them.
If you are a new Christian, I urge you to look them up and read them.

The Crown of Life (for those who endure and overcome temptation) James 1:2,3,12; Revelation 2:10
The Crown of Rejoicing (the soul winners crown) Proverbs 11:30; I Thess. 2:19,20;, Dan. 12:3
The Crown of Glory(for the faithful preachers and teachers) I Peter 5:2-4; II Tim. 4:1,2; Acts 20:26-28
The Crown of Righteousness (for those who love His appearing) II Timothy 4:8
The Crown of Incorruption (for those who master the old nature) I Corinthians 9:25-27

EJO · Sep 26, 2002

Originally posted by sakamuyo
Kind of goes against that parable Jesus told about all the workers who were hired at different times during the day, but were all offered the same payment in return. The people who had worked hard all day long were miffed that they didn't get more pay than the people who were hired just 5 minutes before.

I always thought part of the meaning of that parable was that the same rewards await us all. No bonus points for being a "better christian".

And really, isn't eternal life in a fully restored relationship with our Father reward enough?

"Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.
Luke 6:23

"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS
Matthew 16:27

Since Jesus has not come again, we can conclude that even His disciples are still waiting in heaven for the event Jesus described in the verse.

"But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Luke 14:13-14

Three things we see:
1 You will be repaid
2. Your payment will come in the next life.
3. When you receive it, you will be blessed.

sakamuyo · Sep 26, 2002

None of which points to "levels of heaven". I don't know that it's not possible. I just don't see that it is revealed in Scripture as such.

EJO · Sep 26, 2002

Originally posted by sakamuyo
None of which points to "levels of heaven". I don't know that it's not possible. I just don't see that it is revealed in Scripture as such.

That quote by R.C. is a little misleading, I do not know much about the levels of heaven myself. But there is a definate reward for the works that you do here on earth.

Rising_Suns · Sep 26, 2002

Originally posted by sakamuyo
Kind of goes against that parable Jesus told about all the workers who were hired at different times during the day, but were all offered the same payment in return. The people who had worked hard all day long were miffed that they didn't get more pay than the people who were hired just 5 minutes before.

I always thought part of the meaning of that parable was that the same rewards await us all. No bonus points for being a "better christian".

And really, isn't eternal life in a fully restored relationship with our Father reward enough?

I think this parable was meant to portray God's mercy to some utherwise underserving people. As the owner says in the end of the parable, "or are you envious because I was generous." So God shows mercy to some people, and lets them also inherit the Kingdom of God in His gernousity. But there is alot of scripture to support various levels of heaven, which I believe is true.

Gerry · Sep 27, 2002

One reason many people reject levels and degrees is because that would introduce things like jealousy in Heaven. Those with less would resent those with more and those with more would look down on those with less.

But I think it depends, also on one's concept of Heaven. I do not see Heaven as a place where countless numbers of people will lie around on clouds and sing Hymns all day!

I think there will be "activities" that will keep people occupied. I do not believe God is a God who sits around on a Throne never doing anything with no thought of ever doing anything again other than accept praise and adoration.

That is why I also reject the idea that the first and second laws of thermodynamics prove that God is not currently creating anything. How ridiculous to limit God toour narrow scope!

Rising_Suns · Sep 27, 2002

Right right. The law of increasing entropy...This law also attempts to reject evolution, but I personally believe it fails at that as well.

Gerry, you bring up a good point about levels and how it would lead to jealousy in heaven. I'm not really sure how to respond to that, because, well I just don't understand heaven. None of us do. We could try and try and try, but we still will never comprehend the beauty of heaven. The most substantial argument for levels, is scriptural support for them. Reason and logic won't amount to much when trying to understand God, and I think that's where many people get off track. Anyway, good point though. I never really thought about it like that.

Gerry · Sep 28, 2002

Also, as I understand the concept of Heaven, we will not only have new and perfect Spiritual Bodies, but we will also have a new mind and no flaws in our thinking. Therefore no such things as jealousy could exist, as that is equated with sin.

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