A Full Reward

"Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.." (II John 1: 8 NIV)

God's redeemed people will one day be "fully rewarded" for their persevering faith and allegiance to Christ.

This glorious "full reward" is wonderfully described and detailed in Holy Scripture, especially in the Apocalyptic letters to the "seven churches in Asia (Minor)." (See Revelation chapters 1-3)

In each one of the "seven letters" to the "seven churches," there is a promise made to "those who overcome," or who persevere in allegiance to Christ, thus making a total of "seven" glorious promises regarding the coming future life of the Christian when he will have been perfected in resurrection at the second coming of Christ, when his "vile body" is "fashioned like unto the glorious body" of the resurrected Christ. (See Philippians 3: 21)

"Glorification" and "perfection" are two words associated with the coming eternal state of the redeemed. We are assured that the very ones that God "foreknew" are the very ones predestined, and called, and justified, and finally "glorified" at the second coming of Christ. (See Romans 8: 28-30 KJV)

The number seven is a perfect number, a number of completion and fulness, especially in Holy Scripture. As seven days complete a week, so these seven promises give a complete picture of the coming glory of the believer in Jesus, of his future inheritance and eternal reward.

Let us look at them one by one and discover what they reveal about life in the "eternal city" and in the "new heavens and the new earth," in that place "wherein dwells righteousness," and where there is nothing but joy, life, and peace. (See Hebrews 11:10 & II Peter 3: 13 KJV)

“He who has an ear (at Ephesus Church), let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ (Revelation 2: 7 NKJV)

What a glorious promise! Paradise and Eden at last restored! The time of Christ's return will be the time when all things are "restored" (See Acts 3: 21) It will be a time when not only the Christian, but all the brute creation, with earth and heavens, are delivered from the original curse imposed upon our apostate race and evil world. (See Romans 8: 18-23)

Man, by his rebellion and sin, lost his right of access to the "tree of life," and the right to live forever, but the "overcomer" has that access granted through Christ, so that he not only enjoys eternal life, but partakes of the literal tree, with its twelve different kinds of fruit, and is filled with healthy and joyous delight. (See Revelation 22)

“He who has an ear (at Smyrna Church), let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’ (Revelation 2: 11 NKJV)

This is more than just the negative of the preceding promise. It does, like the first promise, assure the overcomer of eternal life, and unending joy, but adds the further idea of complete safety and security. One may live forever but not be completely safe or free from every harm.

But, such is not the glorious destiny of the Lord's "overcomers," of them who overcome "through the word" and "through the blood of the Lamb," through the blood and death of Christ. (See Revelation 12: 11)

"But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it." (Micah 4: 4 KJV)

The believer in Jesus will not even be hurt by the knowledge that some of their friends and loved ones did not escape judgment for their sins, for in eternity it is said -

"And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." (Isaiah 65: 15-17 KJV)

The wicked will be forever "forgotten," not only by the Lord, but by his people.

“He who has an ear (at Pergamos Church), let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” (Revelation 2: 17 NKJV)

Heavenly food! The fruit from the tree of life! Plus "manna," or "angel's food." (See Psalm 78: 25 KJV) It will be food that will delight the body and soul, and which will "enlighten the eyes," in much the same way that Jonathan's eyes "enlightened" when he "dipped his rod" into "an honeycomb" and tasted of the honey. (I Samuel 14: 27 KJV)

A "white stone" given too! And within this personalized gemstone is the individual believer's "new name." What could that possibly signify? To what future glories do they allude?

Although it is not possible, perhaps, to be "dogmatic" on the point, yet it seems that the "white stone" has to do with the believer's future office of a "priest of the most high God," under Christ the "great High Priest."

As both the "shewbread" and the "manna" were kept in the Temple, in the Old Testament, so too will the holy bread be in the heavenly Temple and be a bread that only the "royal priesthood" may eat and enjoy. (See I Peter 2: 9 KJV)

"And he who overcomes (at Thyatira Church), and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— ‘ He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ (Revelation 2: 26-29 NKJV)

Another two-fold gift of reward for the "overcomer." The promise of sovereign rule with Christ in the millenial age, and "throughout the ages of the ages" (See Ephesians 3: 21 NIV) is the first. The second part of the promise involves receiving the gift of the "morning star." What could this possibly allude to?

According to Peter, the coming of Christ will be a time when the "morning star" (or "day star") will "arise in the hearts" of the redeemed family of God (See II Peter 1: 19 KJV). Further, according to Revelation 22:16, Christ identifies himself as "the bright and morning star."

Again, it is not possible to be dogmatic, but the promise of the personalized white stone seems to be a promise of supernatural power, and light, or energy, and such power as to enable the immortal ones to do wonderful and miraculous things. It could also include the idea of receiving superlative insight into the greater mysteries of the divine being and divine working.

"He who overcomes (at Sardis Church) shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ (Revelation 3: 5, 6 NKJV)

The promise of royal splendor and dress! Spotless robes and garments fit for the noblest of kings and priests! Dazzling garments! Glistening white! Just as the attire of Christ while on the Mount of Transfiguration did so! (See Matthew 17: 23)

Confessed before Lord God! Who can fathom the glory of it? The Lord's people may not have been "famous" on earth, but in glory they will be "famous" in the highest sense! Known and recognized by the glorified millions of saints! By myriads of angels! Known and honored too by the earth's redeemed nations! Names engraven in the "book of life"! A member of a special company!

"He who overcomes (at Philadelphia Church), I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3: 12, 13 NKJV)

To be one of the nearest to Lord God and Christ always? Forever enrapt beholding the beauty and glory of the LORD? The beatific vision? Who can comprehend such an exalted glory for undeserving wretched sinners who have found forgiveness of sins in Christ! "Priests upon thrones," just as Christ! (See Zechariah 6: 13 KJV)

A "pillar" in God's "temple"! Glorious destiny! Just as the church is the "pillar and ground of the truth" (I Timothy 3: 15 KJV), so will these glorified overcomers be God's eternal guardians of the mysteries of the God.

Heavenly citizenship is also included in this pregnant promise of future glory. Paul said to the Christians - "But our citizenship is in heaven." (Philippians 3: 20 NIV) Again, there is the promise of new names and titles, of new positions of lordship and of heavenly station.

"To him who overcomes (at the Laodicean Church) I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3: 21, 22 NKJV)

This is similar to one of the preceding promises, of the promise of "rule over the nations" by a "rod of iron." To "sit with Christ" and on his very own throne! Who can imagine such a glorious and high exaltation?

Thus we have the seven promises and what a complete and full picture they give of the coming eternal glory of the righteous in Christ. But, interestingly, there is an eighth promise!

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21 : 7 NKJV)

"He who overcomes." This is the eighth time it is said! The number eight, in both scripture, and in nature, denotes a new beginning. Thus, the eighth day begins a new week, and the eighth note on a musical scale begins a new octave. Only eight people came forth from the ark after the great universal deluge, according to Genesis, to begin life anew.

"Inherit all things," this is the eighth promise! It is truly the fulfillment of every promise made by Lord God in scripture. Life without end in a glorious world without end! This is truly good news! "I will be his God"! Oh the depth of meaning in that wondrous statement!

Friend, if you should die this moment, can you be certain that these glorious promises apply to you? You can be sure by coming to place your faith and trust in Christ Jesus and begin this day to live for him.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." (Acts 16: 31 KJV)