What kind of rewards are in heaven and how do you get them?

1. 68

   easyspeakposted 15 years ago

   I have a few questions:
   
   What kind of rewards do you get in heaven?  The Bible speaks of mansions and even being in charge of 10 cities...is it figurative of something or are we really going to be rulers.
   
   If all Christians are going to rule with Christ, who are we ruling if we are all rulers?
   
   If we are saved by Grace and not by works, how do we get those rewards?
   
   Would like to know what people think.

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   1. 79

      Born Again 05posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Only believers come before the judgement seat of Christ. There they will be rewarded for the deeds done in the body according to their faithfulness. When a person becomes a believer their faith and joy causes them to do things that glorify God (good works). The believer is not trying to earn salvation...he already has that, but rather is compelled to do things that please the Lord. This is what is being judged. Scriptures talk about the various crowns a believer can earn as being rewards. As far as ruling with Christ...believers will be ruling over those who come to know Christ during the tribulation which takes place after the believers are raptured out of here. During Christ's millenium reign the tribulation believers will be having children and as they grow, they will be given free will choice to accept or deny the Lord while He reigns here on earth. We, the believers, will reign with Him.

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   2. 87

      Bibowenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not an expert in eschatology but I believe is that the Bible teaches that faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. Salvation is a gift, not a reward. A Christian (one who has received the gift of salvation)who serves Christ from a heart of love and devotion can expect to receive rewards in heaven and the Bible lists several kinds of rewards. Jesus told the Parable of the Talents to illustrate this principle.
      
      I believe the "ruling with Christ" has to do with the Millennium reign of Christ. There will be those that live through the time of great Tribulation, potentially billions, who will live under the rule of Christ. Those believers who have died and now come back with Him will be a part of those that reign with Him.
      
      But even among believers there are differences of opinion about when the Rapture is (some say there isn't one), when the Tribulation is, and when the Millennium is.
      
      I think the main point is Jesus continually said that we should watch for His coming. He said that it would be a time when we were not expecting it, like a "thief in the night." Regardless of all that will happen, we are to be ready.
      
      The Bible also talks about the damned receiving their reward. "The wages of sin is death..." Jesus spoke of those that would receive "many stripes" while some would receive "few stripes." Some Christians have taken that to mean that Hell will be hotter for some than others.

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      1. 68

         easyspeakposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Bibowen, thanks for the clarifications.  I always wondered how we would rule with all there were were rulers.
         
         I do like the idea in Revelation about laying our crowns down at the foot of the Lamb in worship.  That would be a great reason to get one.

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   3. 61

      mohitmisraposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Heaven is a state , a dimension where there is no beginning and no end , a state of absolute bliss ,the mansions and cities are figurative like the Quran mentioning seven virgins.
      
      Its not only Christians who will rule with Christ it is any human who achieves enlightenment is going to go back home to god , become god.
      
      Do your part whatever it is and the reward will come.

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   4. 57

      dblochposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      for me we all experienced heaven and hell... remember the movie what dreams may come? if not, you should look for a copy and watch it. anyway, I think heaven is the ultimate realization of all your dreams and your happiness. So imagine being happy and content over and over again, you can easily associate that with heaven. It's not just all about being in golden castles or mansions but the very good peaceful feeling that you get

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2. 92

   Rochelle Frankposted 15 years ago

   Why not just do good for the hell of it?

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   1. 68

      easyspeakposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I think we should do good for it's own sake.  But the Bible does talk about rewards.  If heavenly rewards weren't important or spiritually inferior, it wouldn't talk about it or at least tell us we shouldn't want them.

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3. 59

   AsherKadeposted 15 years ago

   God doesn't tell us. Our faith comes in believing He died for our sins and that our reward will be spending eternity with  Him. Earthly things that mattered will no longer be important. Not even the people we enjoyed spending time with here.

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   1. 68

      easyspeakposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, God's Presence is the ultimate reward, however, God does speak of other rewards.  Revelations 2:26-27 says
      
      "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—'He will rule them with an iron scepter;"

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4. 92

   Rochelle Frankposted 15 years ago

   Right! It is kinda like HubPages-- you do it because you love it... If you get rewards, Hallelujah!
   
   I don't think people strive for either (heaven or hubPages) primarily for the reward.

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   1. 68

      easyspeakposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Good insight.  You're right, real believers are happy enough to be with God...
      
      Actually, people do strive on both for rewards...but, you're right, both fail if that is their primary motive.

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5. 92

   Rochelle Frankposted 15 years ago

   I'm not looking for a mansion. (I've seen some pretty nice ones including  San Simeon and Breakers)-- but my modest house is very comfortable and I could do with even less.
   
   I'm a little put off by people who wonder "what am I going to get?"  If God gives us what we need, what more should we want? Should we be rewarded for doing what is expected?

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   1. 59

      AsherKadeposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I completely agree!

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   2. 68

      easyspeakposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Then why did God talk about it if it's such a bad thing to think about?
      Luke 18:29-31 (New American Standard Bible)
      
      29And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, (A)there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
      
      30who will not receive many times as much at this time and in (B)the age to come, eternal life."

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6. 79

   Earthscribeposted 15 years ago

   I offer the view that Heaven is here & now. Upon death, the song of mind returns to the silence from whence it arose -- the fruit of self decaying in the soil of universe... becoming elements to be recycled in new, ever arising forms. This is bliss.
   
   It is torturous to some that it may be possible that This Is It. I used to be one, an evangelist who hammered "salvation" as a fear-monger. But when the fear was squarely faced, fantasy dropped away and I beheld the universe as it was rather than as I wished it to be... if only for a moment. Such times of freedom from ego, if only briefly since the ahamkara (Snskrt: ego-making faculty) doesn't rest, may be a source of legends regarding "Heaven".
   
   Likewise, Hell is here & now as well. William Blake wrote "Hell is Energy".
   
   Alan Watts gave an interesting talk regarding Heaven here:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYpBKkCHUQQ
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6qYVnLYgSs
   
   "Alan Wilson Watts was an [Anglican priest,] a British philosopher, writer, speaker, and student of comparative religion. He was best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Asian philosophies for a Western audience."

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7. 92

   Rochelle Frankposted 15 years ago

   It is not a bad thing to think about-- but it is not the best thing to focus upon.
   
   The Bible talks about a lot of "bad' things. Why not?

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8. 0

   fierycjposted 15 years ago

   I like to tree that bears twelve different fruits every month. Of course its supposed to be an allegory of some prophetic truth, but the idea still appeals to me anyways.

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9. 60

   Davinagirl3posted 15 years ago

   I just hope there's TiVo!

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10. 80

    RooBeeposted 15 years ago

    Something about a bunch of pimped-out homes and several virgins - or am I getting mixed up? Sounds like a hip-hop song!

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11. 60

    FeliceGerwitzposted 15 years ago

    This discussion goes along the lines of "It is better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all."
    
    The same I feel goes for Christianity.
    
    Without Christ there is no love. I live in Christ, and He in me.

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12. 68

    Make Moneyposted 15 years ago

    I think the beauty of nature which is a gift from God is just a small example of what heaven will be like.

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