THOSE TO BE REWARDED

1. Your servants the prophets 2. The saints 3. Those who fear Your Name

Part of the reward will be an inheritance in the heavenly Jerusalem, the Zion of God. Revelation 21:3-5, 7 "Indeed Yahweh has proclaimed to the end of the world: 'Say to the daughter of Zion; surely your salvation is coming; Behold His reward is with Him, and His work before Him." Isaiah 62:11; Proverbs 11:31

"Behold Yahweh your God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; Behold His reward is with Him and His work before Him." Isaiah 40:10

THE REWARD FOR OBEYING HIS WORD

"The law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul; .. .. "The judgments of Yahweh are true and righteous altogether. .. .. "Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19:11

Eternal life was granted as a free gift to all who believe, but not all are accounted worthy of the gift they were given, and therefore do not receive the promised inheritance.

We need to "walk worthy of the Lord" so that He can "present you holy, and blameless and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard .. .. " Colossians 1: 9-10, 21-23

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Messiah. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality." Colossians 3:23-24; Ephesians 6:7

The "reward of the inheritance" is a crown of life which he will give to us on that Day. This is the 'crowning' of the believer in the vesture of immortality when he shall receive an incorruptible body and live forever.

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 The test of love is when we choose to obey Him above our own desires.

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Paul said when coming to the end of his spiritual journey, "I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give to me in that Day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4: 7-8

Our ascended Lord said to the Assembly in Smyrna "Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life." Rev.2:10b

and to Philadelphia, "Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." Rev.3:11

REWARDS FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE

There is a distinction between the gift of salvation and the rewards for faithful service. Salvation is a free gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9), but rewards are 'earned' through obedient and faithful service. This excludes things done for praise and honour from man as well as that done in self-motivation for personal reasons. Matthew 6: 1-6; 16-18

Those who set their heart to be true priests unto Yahweh, will find their satisfaction and reward in their relationship with Him (Numbers 18:20; Deuteronomy 10: 9; 18:1-2; Ezekiel 44:28). Yahweh's plan was to have a kingdom of priests, not just one tribe, as it became. The new covenant was inaugurated to effect His eternal plan. Exodus 19: 4-6; 1 Peter 2: 5,9

The greatest reward for our service for our Master will be to hear those glorious words, "Well done you good and faithful servant, .. enter into the joy of your Lord" Matthew 25:21

Y'shua set forth a principle that it would be "to him that has" that more would be given. Matthew 25:14-29

Only those who have already proven themselves faithful will be entrusted with further responsibility in the kingdom, and there will be an accountability for that which we have received of the Word to appropriate it, and enlighten others. Luke 8:11-18

"Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward." 2 John 8

The Reward for Faithful Stewardship "He shall call to the heavens above and to the earth beneath that He may judge His people." Psalm 50: 4 (Heavenly and earthly witnesses will be called to account in that Day Hebrews 12: 1-2; Matthew 18:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:10)

At the Judgment Seat of Messiah each deed will be tested by fire, to discover whether it was motivated by obedience to the Word and also if it produced silver, gold and precious stones, or whether it was wood, hay and stubble that will be burned up in the fires of judgment. 1 Corinthians 3: 9-11

"Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is." "If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward." 1 Corinthians 3:13, 14

Only that which is of eternal quality will stand the test and remain. Fire will burn all that was "wood, hay and stubble", that is, all that was structured upon the natural life of man.

"I, Yahweh, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings." - Yahweh is saying that He will search out the motives of the heart and the attitudes, to give everyone according to the way that they have walked, and also according to the fruit that resulted from their actions. Jeremiah 17:10

"and all the assemblies shall know that I am He who searches the mind and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works." Revelation 2 :23

Y'shua gave two similar parables to illustrate these truths 1. The Parable of Talents Matthew 25: 14-30 - Illustrating faithfulness to appropriate what was given

2. The Parable of the Pounds Luke 19:11-27 - The resultant reward of authority relevant to the ability of the servant. The focus is on our stewardship over the measure of revelation and the impartations of the Spirit we have received.

The reward of faithful stewardship is to be given authority in the kingdom. "Who is that faithful and wise servant, whom his master will make ruler over his household, .. ... .. Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find him so doing. Assuredly I say to you, that he will make him ruler over all his goods." Matthew 24:45-46

See also 1 Peter 5: 1-4, the crown of glory that faithful shepherds of the flock will receive. Also 1 Thessalonians 2:19 & Revelation 4: 4

The Reward for Being Persecuted for Righteousness Those who resist the pressure of the world's spirit by not conforming to its way and continue instead to live in obedience to the Word, will suffer persecution. John 15:20

We will receive a reward if we follow His example (1 Peter 2:20-23), therefore, "being reviled we bless" (1 Corinthians 4:12)

"Bless them which persecute you, bless and do not curse" Romans 12:14

Y'shua's instruction was, "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; ... for if you love those who love you, what reward have you? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you have more than others?" (Matthew 5:44-47), and,

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

The Reward of the Soul Winner Y'shua endured the Torture Stake for the joy that was set before Him of saving souls. Hebrews 12: 2; 1 Timothy 1:15 We enter into heaven's joy and reward when we are instrumental in saving souls. Luke 15: 7, 10

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30

"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." Daniel 12: 3

They will be rewarded with great glory, "for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead" 1 Corinthians 15:41-2

The Reward of the Intercessor Those who faithfully engage in this unseen ministry are guaranteed a sure reward. "For as the share of him who goes into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall be alike" 1 Samuel 30:24

"Yahweh gave the word; great was the company of those who proclaimed it: kings of armies flee, they flee, and she who remains at home divides the spoil. Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, you will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver" Psalm 68:13 (accomplishing redemption by the power of prayer). See also Psalm 149: 5-9 for spiritual warfare.

The intercessor enters into the reward of those in the front-line of the spiritual battle.

We see Abraham as the spiritual father of us all as an intercessor (Genesis 18:23-33; 22:18); Also Moses in Exodus 32:31-34. Note Abraham's persistence and perseverance in prayer, as Y'shua taught in Luke 11: 5-10

The Reward of the Giver "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven: For where your treasure is there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21

In instructing those in ministerial giftings, Paul says to those giving, to do it "with liberality" Romans 12: 8 "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7

"But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." " Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail" Luke 12:31,33

Y'shua said, "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back." Luke 6:30

"do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and the evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." Luke 6:35-6

"Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 The measurement in the case of the widow's gift in Y'shua's evaluation, was according to the sacrifice involved. Luke 21: 1-4

Ministry to the poor - "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." Luke 14:13,14

All acts of kindness done in His Name receive a reward. "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Matthew 10:42; Matthew 18: 5

"For whoever gives you a cup of cold water to drink in My Name, because you belong to Messiah, assuredly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." Mark 9:41

"He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophets reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward." Matthew 10:41 There is to be an evaluation of how we treat "His brethren" - Matthew 25:31-46