“REST” AND ALL THE HEAVENLY REWARDS.


For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body (alive), whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

HOW GREAT THIS DAY WILL BE, TO BE FINALLY STANDING BEFORE THE LORD TO RECEIVE THE “REST” AND ALL THE HEAVENLY REWARDS.

I have been looking forward to this day ever since I understood what life really means and what our creator YHWH Elohim has done through his Son Lord Jesus / Yeshua the Messiah. I want everyone to share in this GREAT DAY with full confidence with no fear in finishing and hearing what is said over our lives.  

IM AM TRULY BAFFLED how some view this day so different, over the past years I have discovered within the church today, there exists a lot of confusion regarding the Judgment Seat of Christ, or what happens when we meet Jesus / Yeshua in Heaven. In fact history shows that believers have been arguing contradictory positions on scripture for centres, causing a lot of division for new believers beginning their walk in faith.

I hope to clear this up so that everyone can be at peace and confident of what is to take place on judgment day according to scripture. There can be no contradiction in the inspired Word of God--only in our uninspired misunderstanding.

BEFORE I REFER TO THE BIBLE LET US FIRST UNDERSTAND THE JUDGMENT ENVIRONMENT BY LOOKING AT WHAT HISTORY SHOWS US FROM A CULTURAL POINT OF VIEW.

In the city of Corinth, a location where Paul and others preached, a stone platform was constructed to support the Bema seat (judgment seat). The seat was used to give out awards to athletes for their competitive performances (usually a crown wreath of leaves), but also to address legal charges brought against individuals. The Apostle Paul was quite familiar with this seat. This is where he was brought before Gallio (a judge), who was the proconsul of Achaia at the Bema seat (Acts 18:12). It was real place and situation.

This theme of the awards has been used in the New Testaments using cultural reference of “crown rewards” for competition “faithful servant” that is to say we are to view the Judgment day in the same manner. I will list these types of awards at the end of this study. 

MOST DOCTRINAL DECEPTIONS HOLDS A DEGREE OF TRUTH!

I WILL FIRST SHOW THE SCRIPTURES THAT FORMULATE THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS AND THEN BEGIN TO EXPEND ON THEM TO SHOW THAT THERE IS NO CONTRADICTION IN SCRIPTURE BUT INSTEAD STRUCTURE IT SO THEY WORK TOGETHER.      

Position 1 – Some law keepers have a certainty in their minds that on judgment day Jesus/Yeshua will be comparing a believers good works against SINS (10 commandments), that have been committed even after they receive the gospel entering into faith. Forsaking the place of grace and therefor putting fear of failure in many new Christians or new born again believers.     

1 John 3

6No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 10By this it is evident who are children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

It is a horrible outcome to misunderstand what John means by “practicing righteousness” and unfortunately there are legalistic teachers who miss represented this verse on “being born of God” resulting in some believers feeling unworthy hindering their desire to do good works in love because they feel ashamed for struggling with sin.          

Position 2 - “once saved, always saved” Jesus/Yeshua will accept people into heaven by faith alone and come judgment day sin won’t be judged? As well as no possibility of someone loosing salvation or being rejected.
Galatians 2 16yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified….21I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Romans 8:1 there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
This is a liberty point some believers argue that it’s ok if you continue in law breaking because Jesus died for this reason to free us.

Practicing righteousness | Position 1

A brief citation rebuttal on position 1 to remove any fear one may have. I don’t even need to add my own words the scriptures show the right direction to repenting.

“Practicing righteousness” and stumbling in sin is not the same as “practicing lawlessness” that is to be wilfully sinning without repentance.

The Lord knows we cannot walk perfect without his forgiveness.

1 John 1:6 if we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Romans 8:1 1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Jesus has the power to forgive and he will defend his own people who he sees walk in repentance and spirit. This is the markers of a born again believer.  

1 John 1:9 9If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have no sin, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

1 John 2:1 I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours (Israel) only but also for the sins of the whole world (gentile nations). 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

A SEPARATE JUDGEMENT CONDITION ALSO FALLS ON THOSE WHO JUDGE AS HYPOCRITES.

We believers regardless of what doctrine we hold have to be really careful not to judge or condemn others for lord might not forgive our own few habitual sins we are hypocritically condemning others for. There’s also a verse about forgiving others who hurt us and if we don’t we won’t be forgiven either.        

Matthew 7:1-6 Judge not, least you be judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.) (1 Corinthians 4:5) Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

But instead we are told to judge righteousness John 7:24

            Do not judge by appearances, but judge with righteous judgment.

“Once saved, always saved” | position 2

A brief rebuttal on position 2 and high lighting the victory Jesus did on the cross.  Again I only need to cite scripture to debunk “Once saved, always saved”  

All sins are nailed to the cross therefor allowing forgiveness to take place (Hebrews 8) for I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (Romans 8:1) 1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

 
These above verses have been favourites among many “liberated believers” and sadly teach others to disregard the importance of repentance.  

Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Romans 3 28For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law……. 31Do we then overthrow the law because of this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Matthew 5
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is not saying faith removes the keeping law but fulfils it & perfects it. If we really dig deep into this lesson the Lord is saying he wanted the Pharisees to see that they needed his grace and forgiveness to perfect them.  

The scribes and Pharisees knew the law and taught it but where found as hypocrites for failing in keeping it. Jesus says we are to exceed them what he means here, is that Jesus being perfect and has authority to forgive we are to walk in faith calling on his grace be found more righteous then any Pharisee. Although the Pharisees were also political and added many laws on top of Gods laws. This was completely looked down on by Jesus and his frustration is expressed by calling them “fools”.    

ALSO THERE IS A LOSS OF SALVATION IF YOU TURN TO FALSE GODS INDEFINITELY or REJECT YOUR CALLING AFTER BEING CHOOSEN.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, of cause one can come back into repentance and Jesus if they drops this direction.

Hebrews 6 4For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared (been anointed) in the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come (miracles), 6and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

 A QUICK SUMMERIER

I believe based the scripture here and many other supportive scriptures that, there will be no condemnation / or even a sins (Hebrews 8) for I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” found in those who practice righteousness therefor allowing to be justified by faith even if we have moments of sin. Also that good works will not save anyone if they don’t uphold the 10 commandments including the spiritual reinforcement of these laws Jesus make known. I will create a separate blog covering the spiritual laws of the 10 commandments.      

SO IF A BELIEVER IS FORGIVEN AND WALKING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS WHAT THEN IS THE “BAD” TO BE JUDGED ON? 

Here are a few examples that fall outside of 10 commandment laws   
1.     Someone is in a position to bless a widowed family member but does not and lets them suffer (read 1 Timothy 5:8). Unloving to family members. 
2.     The Rich Ruler Luke 18 Not a cheerful giver
What must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19And Jesus said to him … You know the 10 commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; 24Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Difficult does not mean loss of salvation. Its means the Lord has to apply much compassion to overcome such a cold materialistic person.  
3.     Gossip Titus 3:2
to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling (I’m right your wrong), to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
4.     Idealness 2 Thessalonians 3:11-1311
For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.  12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
Everything is an individual assessment right down to the timing of when you receive faith, even if you receive the gospel on your death bed, like the thief on the cross he called on Jesus and was saved. He did not have any time to live to demonstrate any good works or repentance other than feeling Godly sorrow and being forgiven on the spot. That is how much Glory the Lamb of GOD deserves for his position to forgive and he does it which such compassion to save a soul even their last breath. If they indeed are responding the gospel for the first time.   
Good works | A worker of Jesus
Good works are encouraged and faith without fruit is time wasting in terms of earning rewards in heaven. The verse is not talking about works of law keeping but labours of love to anyone in need.
James 2:14-26
If someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (lifeless &not valued).18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
REWARDS FOR BEING GOOD
1.  CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 2 Tim 4:8 2
2.  INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN SELF-CONTROL  1 Cor 9:25-27 3 
3.  CROWN OF LIFE  James 1:12, Rev 2:10 4 
4.  CROWN OF GLORY  1 Pet 5:2-4 5 
5.  SOUL WINNERS CROWN - 1 Thess 2:19, Dan 12:3  
Rewards Are For Those Who Win the Race Phil 3:12-14
There are 8 Scripture Promises from Jesus in Revelation for those Believers who Overcome Sin, Trials, & Tests through Christ:
Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:26, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:12, Rev 3:21, Rev 21:7 
 
 
 

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