FUTURE SO BRIGHT I GOTTA WEAR SHADES
- Eternal Rewards From Jesus Christ – Eric Holder Hangs Today - Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
& Sound of Freedom & The Devil - Military Showdown & D/S - War Is A
Racket and much more.
Research & Comments by Pastor
Gary Boyd
July 21st 2023
ATLAS SHRUGS: First Trans State
Lawmaker (Democrat) Arrested on Child Pornography Charges, Distributing ‘Child
Sexual Abuse’ - Friday, July 21, 2023 - Stacie Marie Laughton (D) was the nation’s
first-ever transgender person elected to a state legislature. He used daycare
connections to get the terrible. child exploitation images. The first openly
transgender lawmaker in the US is facing federal charges in connection with
sexual exploitation at a Tyngsborough, Massachusetts daycare center. A teacher
at the daycare who assisted the lawmaker in obtaining sexual pictures of the
children has also been arrested and was charged in June. In a press release,
the Justice Department referred to trans-identified male Stacie Laughton as “a
New Hampshire woman.” https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/07/first-trans-state-lawmaker-democrat-arrested-on-child-pornography-charges-distributing-child-sexual-abuse-image-3668365.html
New Benjamin Fulford: Military
Showdown Friday Mass Intel! An Ancient Gang of Slavers Who Practice Human
Sacrifice - Geopolitical Update Q&A Video July 2023 - Friday, July 21, 2023
- https://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2023/07/new-benjamin-fulford-friday-mass-geopolitical-intel-update-qa-video-july-2023-2-2543534.html
THE HAL TURNER SHOW - WHOA!
Mass-Media Begins Telling Public "Ukraine is Losing; Territorial
Concessions to Russia" and "The West Can Do No More!" – WORLD - BY
HAL TURNER - 20 JULY 2023 - In one of the most remarkable 180 degree turns in
the history of Mass Media, the press of the Collective West began telling the
Public today that Ukraine is LOSING.
More stunning, that same "Main Stream Media" admits
Territorial Concessions to Russia must be made." https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/en/news-page/world/whoa-mass-media-begins-telling-public-ukraine-is-losing-territorial-concessions-to-russia-and-the-west-can-do-no-more
THE PATRIOT UNDERGROUND: New Patriot
Underground Coffee Chat: Final Phases Of A Historical Battle - Friday, July 21,
2023 - https://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2023/07/new-patriot-underground-coffee-chat-final-phases-of-a-historical-battle-2543541.html
NATURAL NEWS: Situation Update, July
21, 2023 - The Collapse Of The Dollar-Based International Monetary System Is
Now IRREVERSIBLE! - Mike Adams - Friday, July 21, 2023 - https://beforeitsnews.com/economy/2023/07/situation-update-july-21-2023-the-collapse-of-the-dollar-based-international-monetary-system-is-now-irreversible-3090778.html
New Gene Decode Latest Update for
July 2023 - Friday, July 21, 2023 - Co Sensei Gene is a 20+ year veteran of the
U.S. Navy Submarine Fleet. He is a 40+ year Martial Arts Instructor (Sensei) as
well as a lifelong student and practitioner of Naturopathic Medicine. He has
dedicated most of his life to the investigation and research of information
pertaining to all things spiritual, health (physical, mental, and emotional),
social, political, and metaphysical. He was born with skilled remote viewing
and psychic abilities that have steered his life. - https://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2023/07/new-gene-decode-latest-update-for-july-2023-2543542.html
TIM BROWN: War Is A Racket - If The Politicians
Want War, Send Them! - Friday, July 21, 2023 - Treasonous Joe and his minions
in the military industrial complex, working hand in glove with the Mockingbird
media, which conjurers up the wars, can all go fight the very wars that they
are creating. That is how the wars will
end, and not until then. https://beforeitsnews.com/u-s-politics/2023/07/war-is-a-racket-if-the-politicians-want-war-send-them-2605867.html
VICTOR HUGO: Top Scientists Expose
Climate Change Hoax As Suicide Pact Depopulation Plan - Friday, July 21, 2023 -
Nobel Prize-winning scientist joins a growing number of top scientists and
whistleblowers who are coming forward to state publicly that the “Climate Crisis”
narrative is a hoax. CLick on the link above the first paragraph to watch
video. Use VPN in EU and UK. https://beforeitsnews.com/politics/2023/07/top-scientists-expose-climate-change-hoax-as-suicide-pact-depopulation-plan-3294554.html
BORDERLAND BEAT: Officials See
'Mexicanization' of Costa Rica After Record-High Drug Murders - Friday, July
21, 2023 - In 2023, 10 tons of cocaine reached the shores of Europe concealed
within shipments of fruits that departed from the main Costa Rican port, Moín,
located in the Caribbean. Last week, the Costa Rican government initiated a
security operation at the port, deploying a hundred police officers to scan
100% of the merchandise. https://beforeitsnews.com/immigration/2023/07/officials-see-mexicanization-of-costa-rica-after-record-high-drug-murders-2473586.html
It's BQQM Time! The Great Finale!
Cryptic Message! - Must Video - Friday, July 21, 2023 - https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/07/its-bqqm-time-the-great-finale-cryptic-message-must-video-3668394.html
ATLAS SHRUGS: Burisma Chief “Was
Coerced” To Paid Millions To Hunter To “Protect Us, Through His Dad, From All
Kinds of Problems” - Friday, July 21, 2023 - Hunter Biden was paid millions to
“protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems”. “Zlochevsky stated
he didn’t want to pay the Bidens and he was ‘pushed to pay’ them. . . . he
[said] has many text messages and ‘recordings’ that show that he was coerced to
make such payments.” Best investment ever made. They impeached an President to
stop him from looking into the corruption. A bombshell FBI informant file
describing a $10 million bribery allegation against President Biden and his son
Hunter was released Thursday by Sen. Chuck Grassley, showing that a Ukrainian
oligarch claimed that he was “coerced” into making the payoff. https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/07/burisma-chief-was-coerced-to-paid-millions-to-hunter-to-protect-us-through-his-dad-from-all-kinds-of-problems-3668369.html
US MILITARY NEWS: Restored Republic
via a GCR: Update as of July 21, 2023 – Eric Holder to be executed today – Deep
state is gone – Weather weapons used to cause extreme flooding, fires,
tsunamis, earthquakes, etc. Go to: www.geoengineered.org & https://theusmilitarynews.com/restored-republic-via-a-gcr-update-as-of-july-21-2023/
BLP: NYC To Pay ‘2020 Summer Of Love’
BLM-Antifa Rioters $13M While Jan 6 Defendants Treated As Political Prisoners -
By Bo Banks - Jul 21, 2023 - Democrat officials are paying “2020 Summer of
Love” protesters and rioters BACK for their antics, looting, and property
damage following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. They are not going
through George Soros in a round-about way anymore, but instead, paying off
their terrorist arm directly. In New York City, officials agreed to pay $13
million to violent BLM-Antifa protesters. - https://bigleaguepolitics.com/nyc-to-pay-2020-summer-of-love-blm-antifa-rioters-13m-while-jan-6-defendants-treated-as-political-prisoners/
BLP: Here is How to Support the
Pro-Trump Michigan Electors Facing Felony Charges for Opposing Election Fraud -
By Shane Trejo - July 20, 2023 - Earlier this week, it was announced that 16
pro-Trump electors would be charged with multiple felony counts in the state of
Michigan for refusing to go along with blatant election fraud and coronate
illegitimate figurehead Joe Biden back in 2020. If these individuals who held
the line when it mattered most are convicted, they will spend the rest of their
lives in prison and set the chilling precedent that opponents of any future
election fraud can be locked up. The charges were announced by far-left
Democrat attorney general Dana Nessel, who frequently made threats against
election fraud whistleblowers in the past. Several of the pro-Trump electors
have established crowdfunding accounts to assist in their legal defense funds. https://bigleaguepolitics.com/here-is-how-to-support-the-pro-trump-michigan-electors-facing-felony-charges-for-opposing-election-fraud/
Situation Update 07-20-23 ~ Q+ Trump!
US Military! White Hat Intel ~ SG Anon Great Intel! - Must Video - Friday, July
21, 2023 - Everyone we know in the Intel business is doing their job getting us
the news the MSM cannot because of their corruption. Everything in life as we
know it has a TIME STAMP. If we don’t make our move soon the TIME STAMP will be
lost and we will back with the CABAL running our lives. Error too soon in
getting the PLAN up and running we could have a lot of collateral damage. That
is a risk we have to take. https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/07/situation-update-07-20-23-q-trump-us-military-white-hat-intel-sg-anon-great-intel-must-video-3668363.html
Derek Johnson Latest Update For July!
- Must Video - Friday, July 21, 2023 - You are a true lightworker Derek! Keep
shining your light…keep having patience for those that sit on the fence! Your
service is praised not only by us Patriots….but by God! May you be blessed
forever! Thank you for your selfless and important work! Everybody should be
walking in Faith not in sight God always wins! https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/07/derek-johnson-latest-update-for-july-must-video-3668362.html
Vital Breaking Intel on Live With Dr.
Bryan Ardis! (Video) - Friday, July 21, 2023 - Certified Acupuncturist and
Nutritionist, Dr. Bryan Ardis joins us today. He shares new Intel about how to
beat the mainstream medical industry! https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/07/vital-breaking-intel-on-live-with-dr-bryan-ardis-video-3795979.html
The Final Phase - Here We Go!
Riccardo Bosi & Guru, Cabal in Open, Deep State Votes & QFS (Video) - Friday,
July 21, 2023 - This is one of those Intel drops that is just PACKED with info
that we all need ot know.. Could the White Hats take over completely in
October? When? https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/07/the-final-phase-here-we-go-riccardo-bosi-guru-cabal-in-open-deep-state-votes-qfs-video-3795974.html
Hillary Clinton Torture and
Cannibalism Crime to Be Filed in U.S. Court by Gen. Flynn’s Attorney?? (Video)
- Friday, July 21, 2023 - Atty Steven S. Biss, who represents Gen. Michael
Flynn and Devin Nunes, has a RICO Complaint that contains the eyewitness
testimony of Jessie Marie Czebotar who watched Hillary Clinton order a child
scalded with hot water to raise her adrenochrome; then ate a gland from her
head. https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/07/hillary-clinton-torture-and-cannibalism-crime-to-be-filed-in-u-s-court-by-gen-flynns-attorney-video-3795973.html
Bo Polny: CHECKMATE In September?
Major Intel Report With B2T! (Video) - Friday, July 21, 2023 - Bo joins B2T for
this very informative and explosive Intel drop!! Is September the month for all
to made right again? https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/07/bo-polny-checkmate-in-september-major-intel-report-with-b2t-video-3795972.html
ATLAS SHRUGS: EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE:
Guardians of Divinity Expose Human Trafficking at Port Authority NYC - Friday,
July 21, 2023 - “Trump was the only POTUS that signed a EO to end child n human
trafficking when he was president. We need Trump to bring our country back to
what it once was to put family’s first American families.” “The pedo-elite
absolutely hate @timballard89 and his movie! They hate being exposed! They hate
that what they do in the dark is being brought into the light! BUT THEY CANT STOP IT! JUDGEMENT DAY IS COMING! https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/07/exclusive-coverage-guardians-of-divinity-expose-human-trafficking-at-port-authority-nyc-3668354.html
LIVE WITH JULIE GREEN MINISTRIES: A
MAN ISN'T GOING TO SAVE YOU "I AM" – July 21st 2023 - https://rumble.com/v31c74q-live-with-julie-a-man-isnt-going-to-save-you-i-am.html
REUTERS: WORLDWIDE HEAT WAVE - Europe
battles heat and fires; sweltering temperatures scorch China, US - By Crispian
Balmer and Ryan Woo - July 19, 2023 - ROME/BEIJING, July 19 (Reuters) - Italy
put 23 cities on red alert as it reckoned with another day of scorching
temperatures on Wednesday, with no sign of relief from the wave of extreme
heat, wildfires and flooding that has wreaked havoc from the United States to
China. The heat wave has hit southern Europe during the peak summer tourist
season, breaking records - including in Rome - and bringing warnings about an
increased risk of deaths. Wildfires burned for a third day west of the Greek
capital, Athens, and firefighters raced to keep flames away from coastal
refineries. Fanned by erratic winds, the fires have gutted dozens of homes,
forced hundreds of people to flee and blanketed the area in thick smoke.
Temperatures could climb to 43 Celsius (109 Fahrenheit) on Thursday,
forecasters said. https://www.reuters.com/world/record-heat-wave-grips-china-flood-toll-rises-south-korea-2023-07-19/
THE EXPOSE: John Kerry crumbles when
confronted with FACTS on Co2: “This is not a serious conversation” - BY RHODA
WILSON ON JULY 20, 2023 • - In 2019, climate alarmist John Kerry testified
during a House Oversight hearing on the national security risks of climate
change. Rep. Thomas Massie questioned him about the amount of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere. When Kerry was unable to
argue with the facts, he did what all climate alarmists do; shut down the
conversation the only way he knew how by exclaiming it was not a “serious
conversation.” Before we get to 2019 Kerry’s testimony, we’ll begin with some
background to give some context to what or who John Kerry represents. John Kerry
is a multi-millionaire climate doomsday cultist. Reportedly with an estimated net worth of
$250 million, the self-important Kerry is President Joe Biden’s special
presidential envoy for the climate. In May 2023, Kerry gave a bizarre speech
during which, in short, he suggested cutting off people’s food supplies to save
people from starving. (Comment: Kerry represents the worst in politicians as a
liar & cover up artist for the climate change hoax agenda that want to take
your tax money from you to finance their agenda of depopulation. The narrative
that CO2 is destroying the ozone is a complete and utter lie backed up by
organizations with money from the Rothschilds, Rockefellers, and the Soros Open
Society that has 147 NGO’s he pours money into. They are all part of the
depopulation agenda that wants to whittle down the world’s population to a mere
500M that the elite can treat as slaves to run their version of the world.
Fortunately these elitists have been taken down by the World Military Alliance and
are no longer a threat.) https://expose-news.com/2023/07/20/john-kerry-confronted-about-carbon/
Former New York Post Editor Laughs
When Detailing Censorship Of Bombshell Hunter Biden Laptop Story - Friday, July
21, 2023 - mma-Jo Morris, editor at Breitbart and former editor at the New York
Post, testified before the House Weaponization Committee about the censorship
of the Hunter Biden laptop story. https://beforeitsnews.com/international/2023/07/former-new-york-post-editor-laughs-when-detailing-censorship-of-bombshell-hunter-biden-laptop-story-2511960.html
Eternal Rewards From Jesus Christ
by Britt Gillette
Researched by Pastor Gary Boyd
Published on: June 15, 2011
What does your eternal future hold?
For most Christians, the blessed hope is that once the Rapture occurs or they
depart from this world after death, they will spend eternity in Heaven with
Jesus Christ. For those who trust in Him, this is true.
However, few Christians realize they
will also face judgment before Jesus Christ–not judgment for our sins, which
were cleansed by Christ’s blood on the cross, but judgment for our works here
on earth. Jesus will hold each of us accountable for the deeds we performed in
our earthly lives. Although our eternal destiny is never in question, the size
and scope of our reward is.
Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Judge
The Scriptures are filled with
references to the ultimate judgment of our works, yet somehow many Christians
have either failed to understand–or have chosen to ignore–what the Bible says.
Nevertheless, we will be judged. Paul makes this clear in his letter to the
Corinthians:
“For we must all stand before Christ
to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we
have done in this earthly body” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NLT).
Jesus confirms Paul’s assertion,
revealing that each of us will be held accountable for every idle word we
speak!
“And I tell you this, you must give
an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak”(Matthew 12:36, NLT).
Jeremiah says the same:
“But I, the Lord, search all hearts
and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to
what their actions deserve” (Jeremiah 17:10, NLT).
Think of some of the terrible things
we’ve said in our lives. In the years and months since, we hope others have
forgotten them. But the Lord hasn’t! Even worse, try to remember some of the
horrible things you’ve thought. Even our thoughts have condemned us! Who then
can stand blameless before Christ? Only those who have washed themselves clean
of sin from the blood of the cross:
“For the time has come for judgment,
and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what
terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, ‘If
the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?'” (1 Peter
4:17-18, NLT).
The fate of those who reject Christ
is eternal separation from Him. But for those who embrace Him, we can face His
judgment with fearless confidence:
“And as we live in God, our love
grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can
face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world” (1 John
4:17, NLT).
We can face Him with confidence
because have lived our earthly lives like Jesus.
Judgment Is Reserved for Christ
When Jesus walked among the crowds of
Israel, He never attempted to build Himself up by knocking other people down.
Instead, He attempted to lift others up and to encourage them to live godly
lives. He knew that praise from God was a far greater reward than the often
insincere and fleeting praise of humans.As such, He never looked down on others
or proclaimed Himself superior to them. He humbled Himself, and although He had
all the power of God, He expended His life to serve others—preaching the
gospel, healing those in need, washing His disciples’ feet, and giving His life
on the cross in order to save all.
If we truly wish to live our lives
like Christ, we should not be like the Pharisees, who condemned others for
small infractions of their own created laws and traditions. We should not be
like the Pharisees, who viewed themselves as morally superior to others. The
arrogance they exhibited is the same arrogance that brought on the fall of
Lucifer, and, left to fester, that same arrogance can bring about the fall of
any Christian.
Ultimate judgment of others belongs
to Christ, so don’t make personal judgments of others in regard to God’s
approval, for He alone knows all the facts. The day will come when many who are
looked down on today—who are rejected, ridiculed, and labeled as “immoral” by
their own Christian brothers and sisters—will receive great reward from Jesus
Christ. Many who are viewed as experts, saints, and holy men in this world will
be given lowly positions in God’s kingdom, while many who are viewed as
outcasts, kooks, or poorly educated will be rewarded with the highest
positions.
So listen to Paul when he tells us to
reserve judgment for Christ:
“So don’t make judgments about anyone
ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to
light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one
whatever praise is due” (1 Corinthians 4:5, NLT).
“So why do you condemn another
believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand
before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘As surely as I live,’
says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and
give praise to God.’ Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So
let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you
will not cause another believer to stumble and fall” (Romans 14:10-12, NLT).
Knowing this, we should encourage
those around us, building them up with ample praise, careful rebuke, and all
the respect deserving of those God has chosen to call His children. We should
approach everyone with the same humility Christ exhibited, because we never
know what role others will play in the eternal kingdom. The one you look down
on today might be your superior in Heaven!
Not Everyone Will Have the Same
Status in Heaven
This leads us to another myth that
has taken hold of the Christian community: that everyone will enjoy equal
standing in Heaven. This is not true. Although God loves each of us without
end, some will be given positions of higher status, authority, and
responsibility than others. In the book of Matthew, Jesus reveals this truth:
“So if you ignore the least
commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in
the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be
called great in the Kingdom of Heaven”(Matthew 5:19, NLT).
“But many who seem to be important
now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here
will be the greatest then” (Matthew 19:30, NLT).
If everyone is equal in Heaven, then
how can some be “greatest” while others are “least”? This is not a contradiction,
but an indication of the true nature of Heaven. Whether our earthly deeds are
deserving of gain or loss is completely dependent upon what we do in our
earthly lives. Heaven will simply be a place where true justice will reign.
Eternal Treasures in Heaven
Jesus, knowing the nature of Heaven
and the rewards that await us, discouraged us from becoming captives of this
world and its fleeting pleasures. Instead, He encouraged us to focus on the
accumulation of heavenly treasures:
“Don’t store up treasures here on
earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in
and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy,
and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires
of your heart will also be”(Matthew 6:19-21, NLT).
Our treasures in Heaven are eternal.
Why then do so many of us spend a lifetime hoarding earthly treasures–cars,
houses, stocks, and bonds–when each of us knows they are only temporary in
nature? We can’t take our earthly treasures to Heaven, but we can take our
heavenly rewards. If any doubt persists as to how the treasures of Heaven
compare to the treasures of this world, read to what Paul has to say on the
subject:
“That is what the Scriptures mean
when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love him'” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT).
Despite this knowledge, millions
aspire to live in earthly mansions, while Jesus continues to prepare for us our
own heavenly mansions—eternal abodes that will never catch fire, flood, get
termites, or experience any of the headaches of earthly dwellings:
“There is more than enough room in my
Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to
prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2, NLT).
Why then, are so many of us concerned
with where we live?
Christ Will Award Us with Crowns
Some of our heavenly treasure will
take the form of rewards we receive from Jesus Christ:
“For no one can lay any foundation
other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that
foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or
straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder
has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work
survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the
builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone
barely escaping through a wall of flames” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, NLT).
For the Christian, belief in Jesus
Christ is only a beginning. This is the foundation of our holy existence, and
no one can lay a foundation other than Christ. Upon this foundation, we are
expected to build a portfolio of works that benefit the Lord. Not one of these
works is necessary for our salvation, but if we truly believe in Him, it will
be our pleasure to perform such works. On the day of judgment, each work will
be tested to see if it has eternal value. Only that which has everlasting value
will result in reward.
So how do we know what works will
have everlasting value? We must remember it is not our deeds alone the Lord
will judge, but the motives that caused us to perform those deeds in the first
place. The Lord, who knows the deepest secrets of our hearts and minds, will
know the motives upon which our earthly lives were built. And the only motive
that will result in a reward is one that desires glory for Jesus Christ.
Among the many rewards we’re eligible
to receive, the Bible specifically mentions five crowns:
The Crown of Victory
“Don’t you realize that in a race
everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes
are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade
away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I
am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to
do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might
be disqualified”(1 Corinthians 9:25, NLT).
The prize to which Paul refers is a
crown. This crown is reserved for those who, through careful discipline, have
overcome the desires of the flesh. Through means of the Holy Spirit, they have
managed to gradually wean themselves from the power of the temptations of this
world. Just as an athlete trains to perfect his performance in an athletic
contest, Christians must train themselves to overcome the desires of the flesh.
If you want to win this crown, make sure
to listen to and abide by the Holy Spirit within you. Train yourself so that
your every thought, feeling, and action is measured and judged in accordance to
God’s will for your life.
The Crown of Rejoicing
“Therefore, my dear brothers and
sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends,
for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work”(Philippians 4:1, NLT).
“After all, what gives us hope and
joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord
Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy” (1
Thessalonians 2:19-20, NLT).
This crown is reserved for those
whose efforts have led to others becoming believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
As Paul states, this crown will be a source of pride and joy for all of
eternity, represented not only in the form of a crown, but in the form of
actual fellow Christians who will be a source of joy for the Lord for all of
eternity.
If you want to win this crown, make
sure to share the gospel of Christ with others whenever God presents an
opportunity.
The Crown of Righteousness
“And now the prize awaits me—the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on
the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly
look forward to his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8, NLT).
This crown is reserved for those who
eagerly and patiently await the promised return of Jesus Christ. Throughout the
Scriptures, Jesus encourages us to be good and faithful servants, prepared for
the master’s return. One day, He will come “like a thief in the
night”–unexpectedly–and only those who have lived their lives in daily
anticipation of this moment will be awarded this crown.
If you want to win this crown, make
sure to live every day of your life with the constant expectation that Christ
could return at a moment’s notice.
The Crown of Life
“God blesses those who patiently
endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life
that God has promised to those who love him”(James 1:12, NLT).
“Don’t be afraid of what you are
about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You
will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I
will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10, NLT).
This crown is reserved for those who
endure testing, temptation, persecution, suffering, and martyrdom for Jesus
Christ. Believing in Christ is not a recipe for carefree living in a world that
hates Him, for if the world mocked, ridiculed, and murdered Jesus Himself, then
why should His followers expect to avoid suffering? We cannot. Some will suffer
worse than others, but everyone who remains faithful will receive the crown of
life.
If you want to win this crown, make
sure to love Jesus Christ more than you love your own life.
The Crown of Glory
“And now, a word to you who are
elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of
Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole
world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: care for the flock that God has
entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will
get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the
people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when
the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and
honor” (1 Peter 5:1-4, NLT).
This crown is reserved for those who
are placed in a position of authority and responsibility in earthly life. With
others looking to us for leadership by example, this is a task of enormous
importance. Such people must exhibit love and humility, carefully watching over
those with whom they have been entrusted. Their motives and hearts must be
pure, focused on serving God rather than serving themselves. Those who lead
others by example will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
If you want to win this crown, make
sure to be a good example to others, especially those who look to you for
guidance. And be a good and faithful steward of those God has entrusted to your
care.
Our Rewards in Heaven Directly Correlate
with Our Efforts on Earth
In addition to the previously
mentioned crowns, Christ has a number of additional rewards waiting for those
who love Him. But our ability to receive each reward is in direct correlation
with how we handle the earthly opportunities he gives us. Jesus clearly
illustrates this concept in Matthew 25 with the Parable of the Talents. In this
story, each servant is entrusted with a certain number of talents, each
according to his ability. In the end, each is rewarded by the master on the
basis of how he has invested the talents. In the same way, each of us will be
rewarded on the basis of how we have advanced the kingdom of Heaven.
Yet another promise of reward from
Jesus Christ appears in Matthew 19:
“And everyone who has given up houses
or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my
sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal
life”(Matthew 19:29, NLT).
How many stock market investors would
be ecstatic to experience just one hundredfold investment return in a lifetime?
Yet the opportunity to receive an everlasting, hundredfold return is available
for anyone who invests in advancing the kingdom of Heaven!
Conclusion
All who trust in Jesus Christ will
experience eternity in His presence. In Heaven, there will be no sorrow, death,
crying, or pain. However, there is no guarantee that we will not experience
regret. Despite our greatest efforts on His behalf, each of us will probably
look back on our earthly lives and wish we had done more to advance the kingdom
of Heaven. We won’t look back out of jealousy or envy or pride, but with the
simple wish we would have glorified His name to a greater degree. In Heaven,
we’ll have all of eternity to reflect on what we could have done for the Lord.
As such, we should take advantage of the time we have left.
The things of this world should be of
little value to Christians. We know that accumulation of wealth, career
advancement, and earthly pleasures have no lasting value. Only a life that
gives glory to Jesus Christ has lasting value. So don’t waste another moment!
Rearrange the priorities of your life
and look forward to His coming with great confidence. Live in accordance with
the example set by Christ, and you will experience great reward for all of
eternity. The time to do so is now, for we never know when our window of
opportunity will close forever:
“Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on
to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown”(Revelation 3:11,
NLT).
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my
reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and
the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End”(Revelation
22:12-13, NLT).
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus, come!
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