“To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:21-22). Do you know to what particular congregation Jesus was speaking when He uttered those astounding words? He was speaking to the Laodiceans! (See verse 13, Revelation 3). HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE LAODICEANS! A congregation of believers Jesus said were wretched, miserable, poor (spiritually), blind, and naked (verse 17)! He then urged them, “Be zealous therefore, and repent (verse 19). “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.
If ANY MAN hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (verse 20). The Greek word translated as “man” in the above text is neuter, meaning any “person” – male or female. But notice that EVERY BELIEVER, male or female, even the utmost failures in the Christian walk and life are in the running, so to speak, to receive the greatest eternal reward God the Father can offer. All the failures need to do is repent and invite their Lord into full and lasting fellowship in their life. They, too, can then “shine as the brightness of the firmament” in their Father’s eternal kingdom! This was the mark, the prize of the high calling for which the apostle Paul continuously contended and labored. This was “the power of His resurrection” for which Paul aimed. (See Philippians 3:10-14). For him to experience and enjoy the power of his Lord’s resurrection, Paul knew he would have to allow Jesus to LIVE in him. (See Galatians 2:20). He also knew this fantastic reward was open to all, writing, “Let US therefore, as many as be perfect (spiritually complete, full grown in Christ), be thus minded” (Philippians 3:15).
Our Lord is “a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (See Hebrews 11:6). No human being will ever be able to out give God, not even a Moses or an Abraham, not even the most faithful and holy martyr! Some of the final words Jesus spoke to the church was to say, “Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man (Greek, “each”) according as his work shall be” (See Revelation 22:12).
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is (precious costly material or inferior material). If any man’s work abide (the testing fire), 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 (as he continued on with the Lord and DID produce and was of some service to the Lord), yet so as by fire (as nothing remains that warrants an eternal reward” (See I Corinthians 3:13-15).
“I beheld until the thrones were cast down (over 30 translations, including versions prior to the King James Version, read “until the thrones were set in place”), and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool (in color – not texture). His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire (hence a portable throne). A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him; thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him (to be rewarded). The judgment was set, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:9-10). Believer, In God’s great Remembrance Library there is a book written with your name on it. (See Malachi 3:16-18. See also Revelation 1:12-18 and Malachi 3:16-18 and Revelation 20:12). May the scriptures cited motivate the reader to produce more and more is my hope and prayer.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley