Rewards That We Can Earn (Part 2)

In this lesson we are continuing our study of rewards that are earned for faithfully serving the Lord Jesus Christ. As shown salvation is not based on works but as a result of being saved we should work faithfully for the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, in the previous lesson we saw some of the crowns that a saved person can earn. This topic of this lesson will be earning a reign with the Lord Jesus Christ during the Millennium.

Revelations 20:1-6

According to this passage Jesus Christ is going to reign on this earth for 1000 years. The term 1000 occurs 5 times in the first 6 verses. There are some who spiritualize this reign and say we are in it right now, while others do not believe it will happen at all. The truth is Jesus will return and reign for 1000 years on this earth.  

During this reign Jesus will be KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS. He will reign from Jerusalem and the Jews will be the leading nation. It will last for a period of 1000 years and during this time Satan is bound in the bottomless pit.

All saved people from the Church Age make up the Bride of Christ and will be with Jesus during the Millennial Reign, but it appears that reign or having a position of authority is conditioned upon faithfully serving Jesus Christ after salvation.

2 Timothy 2:11-14

Verse 12 is the key in this passage. It says that if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. Therefore, suffering with him seems to be the key for reigning with him. This makes reigning with Jesus an earned reward.

Now some use this verse to show that a person can lose their salvation because the second part of the verse says that if we deny him, he will deny us. The question then is, what is he denying us? If you look at verse 13 it is plain to see that he cannot deny himself, even if we believe not. If you are saved, you are in Jesus Christ and he is in you. Therefore, if he denies you then he would be denying himself. So, the verse is not talking about Salvation. But what is it referring to?

The verse is talking about Jesus denying you a reign. If you are faithful and suffer with him, you will reign with him. If you deny him, he will also deny you a reign. This shows us that the Millennial Reign with Jesus Christ is a reward that can be earned.

At this point someone will usually ask about the verse in Galatians 5:21 where it talks about not inheriting the kingdom of God for committing the works of the flesh. Now biblically speaking the Kingdom of God during the church age is a spiritual kingdom (Romans 14:17 ; Luke 17:20-21 ). The Kingdom of Heaven in the word of God is always a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ reigning on a literal throne, on the earth. This will take place during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on the earth.  When Jesus Christ was on the earth the first time both the kingdoms were present and at hand. That is the reason they were both preached as being at hand. And when Jesus returns to this earth at the Second Advent, they will both be present again. That is the reason John 3:3 says you can see the kingdom of God even though Luke 17:20-21 says that it does not come with observation. Right now, it is a spiritual kingdom. During the millennial reign it will be on earth just like the kingdom of heaven. So, when Galatians 5:21 says inherit the Kingdom of God it is referencing the Millennial Reign. The key word here is “inherit”. We do not inherit salvation, therefore it cannot be the spiritual kingdom, but we can earn the Millennial Reign as a reward.

As to the structure of how we will reign or what we will reign over, I am one hundred percent sure. But there is a parable that Jesus gave which seems to point to the fact that we may reign over a number of cities depending on how well we served him after salvation. This parable is called the parable of the 10 pounds and is found in Luke 19:11-27.

Rewards That We Can Earn (Part 2)

Handout

1)  What is the event being described in Revelation 20:1-6?

2)  List a few details about the even form the question above.

3)  How can we earn the millennial reign with Jesus Christ? Give scripture.

4)  What is the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God?

5)  How do we reconcile Galatians 5:21 with the difference from above?

6)  What is the parable that Jesus gave which seems to be connected with earning the millennial reign?