What Are The Rewards in Heaven?

by Mihran Kulhanjian

 

 

 Dear Friends,

When a believer enters heaven (the third heaven) there will be rewards given.  However, when a nonbeliever dies he gets his one-way ticket to hell.  Jesus will judge all:  the righteous and the unrighteous. This is called the judgment seat of Christ. All believers will enter into heaven, but believers will be rewarded differently depending on what they did for Christ on earth.  “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).

 

There are five Heavenly Crowns mentioned in the New Testament:  (1) The Imperishable (Victory) Crown; (2) The Crown of Exultation (Rejoicing); (3) The Crown of Righteousness; (4) The Crown of Life; and (5) The Crown of Glory. The crowns are rewards in heaven for faithful servants of Jesus in this life.  Whether these rewards are actual crowns placed on one’s head or an acknowledgment of faithfulness, it is unknown.

 

  1. The Imperishable or Victory Crown

In 1 Corinthians 9:25 the Apostle Paul said “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.”    Paul said the “prize is temperate” He is referring to the Greek games where the winner is rewarded with a wreath on his head.  This is a temporary award.  But the Christian’s reward (his crown) is imperishable.

              

In the games in Greece the athlete must train and be disciplined for a temporary prize.  A motivated believer practices discipline, self-control and lives a spiritually driven life enduring to the end whereby receiving the crown of victory.

 

  1. The Crown of Exultation or Rejoicing

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?  For you are our glory and joy”  (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).   Paul spoke to the Thessalonians telling them what the reward or crown of exultation is about. It is a crown for the evangelists, the disciples of Jesus who are telling people, the lost, about Jesus.  The reward belongs to believers who witness to others.  These people are not pastors of churches or ministers or priests, but they are believers who are living for God and share the Good News with others in their walk with the Almighty.

 

  1. The Crown of Righteousness

In the second letter to Timothy Paul wrote “Finally; there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).  Paul is telling that he is ready to die for Christ so that he could be with Him, that he is ready for heaven.  This reward is for people who live obediently for the return of the Lord.

 

  1. The Crown of Life

If we love the Lord we will not deny Him under persecution, trials and temptations.  “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 crown of life is for those who endure suffering for God; they are steadfast in faith even through torture and death.

 

  1. The Crown of Glory

This crown, The Crown of Glory, is for leaders who are faithful shepherds.  “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).   This crown is awarded to not only pastors or ministers who lead a congregation week after week but for all who lead groups, small or large.  The leader is the “Chief Shepherd.  He looks after his flock, he prays for them and cares for them and teaches them.  The crown of glory is for the “Chief Shepherd.

 

Regardless of rewards, heaven is a place of great joy, peace and harmony. In heaven there is no sorrow, no crying, no pain, no gnashing of teeth. But most importantly, we will be the presence of God, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, our Lord.

 

The rewards noted as the five crowns are only a glimpse of what heaven is will be for believers.  Believers will have different experiences in heaven.  Each of us will have different positions, responsibilities (Matthew 25:21; Luke 19:11-27), privileges (2 Peter 1:11) (Revelation 2:7) (Luke 12:37) and honors in heaven.  In Luke 16:10-12 we learn that a good steward of God’s property in this life is rewarded in heaven.

 

When we enter heaven the most cherished words any obedient believer would here from Jesus is “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

 

Another great reward in heaven is when we get to see the number of people who were saved because of your witness through prayer, evangelism, giving out gospel tracts or any unselfish action taken by you to spread and share the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord.  We can refer to Philippians 4:1 and 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.  In Philippians 4:1 we see that Paul had great joy for the converts of Philippi and that he looked forward to receiving a crown in heaven. The crown is an accolade, a wreath placed on the head as a Greek athlete would receive sets as an example.  In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 we see Paul rejoicing in his converts of the Thessalonians and looks forward to his crown in heaven when he sees the people that are in heaven because of his witness.

 

Parting Thoughts

Good works will not get us into Heaven.  Only by God’s grace, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will we see the kingdom of God, through our faith in Him.  In this life, we do not do the things of good works to be saved, or to get crowns in heaven; we do these things because we have the spirit of God in us. Yes, we are saved for good works not because of good works.  We have the fruit of the spirit, a contrite heart, a compassionate heart that leads us to help and warn unbelievers and to encourage and support believers. Be careful and examine yourself that you are not doing good works without the Holy Spirit, simply to achieve crowns. You cannot fool God.  God knows your heart. Pray to God to fill you with the fruit of the spirit:  love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  

 

Our greatest reward is God Himself, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Let us get close to God by reading His word and spending time daily in prayer.  When we pray, we speak to God.  And when we read the Bible, God speaks to us.  Listen and obey what God says. Do good and obey God’s commands and witness because you love Him.

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Mihran Kulhanjian is President and Founder of Christian Revival Mission.

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