Christ’s Coming and Christ’s Compensation (Revelation 22:12)
Revelation 22:12, And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Paul was motivated by the prize that God had in store for him. I Corinthians 9:25, And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. God's reward was an incentive for Paul as well as all Christians to serve Him. Paul looked forward to the crown of righteousness that the Lord had laid up for him. When Jesus returns, He will bring His reward with Him to give to those who have been faithful in serving Him. He promised this in the closing verses of the Bible (Revelation 22:12). In 1946, Akio Morita and another man started a new company called Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering in a bombed-out department store in Tokyo. It was in 1955, when Morita's company made the first portable transistor radio in the world. An American company, Bulova, offered to buy the radios at a handsome profit, but the deal troubled Mr. Morita. Under the deal, Bulova would sell the radios under their own name. Mr. Morita wanted to establish his own company's brand name. Even though this deal would have been very lucrative to this struggling company, Morita decided against it. He told the Bulova people, "I am now taking the first step for the next fifty years of my company." Mr. Morita's company went on to become one of the greatest success stories in business. Besides the transistor radio, they built the first VCR's and the first CD players. Before I forget, by the time he turned down the deal with Bulova, Morita had already changed the name of his company to SONY. In business, the choice is often between present and future rewards, with the biggest rewards coming in the years ahead. As servants of Christ, we must forsake the enticing, but small rewards, this life offers to gain the rewards that Christ has for us in faithful service to Him. By the grace of God, don't get sidetracked! Live a victorious Christian life! See these verses: Romans 14:12; I Corinthians 3:11-15; II Corinthians 5:10. The Certainty of His Coming. "Behold, I come quickly" (Revelation 22:12). "Behold" emphasizes the certainty of His coming. This is one of the three promises of Christ's coming given in this chapter. The other two promises of His coming found in this chapter are in Revelation 22:7, 20. The word translated as quickly has the sense of ‘swiftly’ or ‘speedily.’ It implies not only the time of His coming (soon) but the manner thereof as well (suddenly). When Jesus Christ comes, He will rule, rule on (judge), and reward. The Compensation at His Coming. "My reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12). The Lord will record, remember, and reward His faithful servants when He comes! Jesus also makes mention that His reward is with Him. The word reward refers to ‘due compensation for services rendered.’ It also is rendered as ‘wages.’ The thought likely is of the various rewards promised for faithful service to Christ in this life. We surely are not saved by good works, but there will be rewards for faithful service to Christ someday, based upon the work we have done for Him after salvation. It is what we have actually done for Christ in the Christian life which will be rewarded in that day. He's also coming to give out! He is bringing His reward with Him. The Lord is coming back, and He will give out rewards or punishments at His judgment! For His saints He will give out to us as we have served Him. At the Judgment Seat of Christ Christians will receive rewards or Christians will suffer loss! (I Corinthians 3:11-15). When the Lord comes back accounts will be settled, rewards will be handed out, and judgments will be made! It will be a glorious appearing of our Lord and we should long for and look for His coming! We should be living for the Lord so that His appearing will not catch us unprepared! His reward is with Him. Seeing the Lord Jesus and being with the Him forever is the greatest of all rewards! We are not saved by our works, however the works we do for Jesus will be rewarded! The lost will be judged based on their work—and their work will condemn them! This judgment will be universal in scope and individual in sentence. Everyone will be given wages, pay for their service, reward according to his work. This reminds us again that the Lord knows what we do and why we do it! He knows our motives, our ministries, our service, our attitudes and actions! He knows it all! God's clock is ticking. Each day that passes brings us closer to the return of Christ. When He returns, His reward will be with Him. He will reward us according to our work. Those who have been faithful to Christ will receive His reward and those who have not been faithful will have salvation, but no reward at all. His coming will not be a welcomed sight for many! Are you prepared for His coming? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, by Your grace, I long to hear these words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”! In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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