There are also two, future resurrections to consider: The resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation.
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5)
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:14, 15
For the sinner;
They were judged every man according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15
Lisa wrote:...just to take in his beauty...
RE: Whether John the Baptist is in the kingdom of heaven, the discussion around the poll "How were the OT saints saved" may interest you.
Lisa - your dreams seem to me to be more fantasy than Biblical truth. In heaven we will worship the Triune God. You see the picture of it in Rev 4. There are four elements of worship portrayed there, two of them preparatory. You prepare for worship by having a vision of the holiness of God and submitting everything to His absolute rule. Then you worship by casting your crowns before Him and vocally acknowledging His worthiness of all glory and praise. That is the Biblical picture. Your picture, although pretty, is little more than teenage fantasy. Sorry.
Regarding "rewards", I was always taught that the WAGES ofsin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is ETERNAL LIFE thruJesus Christ our Lord (Rom 6:23).
Thus there must be different levels of punishment in Hell,based on our sins (and each of us sins differently, thusour punishment will be different, based on our own sin--AND the extent to which we are exposed to and convictedby God's Word--Luke 12:47-48).
BUT...our reward in Heaven is essentially the same, sincewe all have the same righteousness (that of Christ, himself,imputed to each believer).
Still, there are PARABLES that favor one perspective over theother, and require much study to sort out.
Compare the likes of Matt 20:1-16 vs. Luke 19:17,19.
I'm open to input regarding this issue, on which I'm currentlymeditating.
More "reward" may also mean more people "welcoming" you intoHeaven. (Luke 16:9)
This is a VERY good question!
Thank you for another excellent postand TRUTH.
I also am thankful that I realize true"depravity of intellect and what faithreally is"... Thank God for HISsovereign GRACE....
Now, I don't expect to see inhabitants of Lot's Sodom in heaven, yet their judgment and sentence will be more tolerable than for those who have rejected Christ's messengers (see Luke 10:1-16).
It is not only individuals who are judged but places and generations are also judged. In our place and time, we have more information and more tools than any generation before ours. Therefore, we carry more responsibility than previous generations. To whom much is given, much is required.
Works are a result of faith.....We're on the same page there
May God bless you____________________________
These are the attitudes of those whose works are a result of faith:
Luke 17:10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’â€
Matthew 25:38-40 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
These are the attitudes of those whose works are a result of the flesh:
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Not one of these Chuck Norris beards, but the kind as specified in the Law, without trimmed edges. This along with a frock like ancient times to cover all his masculine features.
I think our faith is like a tree and the tree is you and I. If we have a true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then this amounts to us coming from "good seed" that is planted in "good soil". As the seed grows in the soil, some come along watering and fertilising. The tree grows and because it is rooted in Christ, it cannot help but produce good fruit. The nutrients flows through the tree bringing nutrients and those nutrients help bring forth the blossoms, the blossoms are pollinated with the help of other workers, then the good fruit grows, ripens and feeds, also producing good seed and other good trees and food for mankind, that sustains not only the spirit, but nutrients for the flesh of the hungry, people both good and bad.
He who loves Jesus Christ will keep His commandments. God's covenant promises and mercy are for those who love him and keep his commandments. God will manifest himself to those who love him. (Daniel 9:4; John 14:21)
God commands us to love Him with ALL of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. (Deut 6:5; Luke 10:27). God gave us ALL that we have and now he asks us to give our all back to him.
Keep yourself active and working in loving God. Exhort one another to love and good works. Delight in him. Use what God has given. Righteousness and justice are the foundation (not love and mercy) of His Throne (Psalm 89:14 ESV). Justice is consistent with judgement according to works as taught in Revelation 20:12,13. Lack of variation in rewards and punishments would be unjust. Systematic Theology is great but God's Word trumps a theological system. God's grace and gifts are wonderful but we need to love the Giver more than the gifts. The gospel is not about the gifts as much as about Christ and His Kingdom. Responsibility to the Giver remains. God loves zeal and not lukewarmness or coldness.
I agree about headcoverings for women and men taking off the hat.
Your Post"I've read literature from those who like James', and they also have their own idea of works---hair length, dress code, etc. Where did that come from? Certainly not the Scriptures. It's man-made and it's a law by which such people attempt to justify or condemn themselves and others. "_____
Let your women be silent in the church is a very popular doctrine with men but they refuse the other teachings about women. Hair length and dress code is most assuredly in Scripture.
1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.
1Co 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
In times past, women wore head coverings in church. Hats came in style and when they went out of style, out went the head coverings. Men still remove their hats when they pray.
1Co 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
In the love of Jesus Christ our LordAbigail
This has nothing to do with heavenly rewards or our ability to discern them, by virtue of our earthly effort.
Matthew 7:16 "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? :17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. :18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
And what about......
John 15:2 "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, THAT it MAY bring FORTH ***MORE*** fruit."
