UNDERSTANDING GOD’S TIMELINE FOR MAN (PART 2)
(THE DOCTRINE OF REWARD)
There is a poison that has spread throughout almost every bible believing church in the world. And this poison has been caused by one single doctrine being ignored; the doctrine of reward. If a gift is given freely, then a reward or prize must come by works.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
These scriptures do not fit into being saved by “faith alone apart from works.” They just do not line up with the doctrine of “faith alone”. If the salvation of “becoming a child of God” comes by believing and “not of works”, then it is just as true that there is a “salvation” based upon a Believers works, that they may receive a reward.
WEBSTER’S 1828
SALVATION: The act of saving; preservation from destruction, danger or great calamity.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
If a father adopts two children, and one is obedient while the other is disobedient, then are both still his children? Of course! As the father prepares to leave for work, he hands out the daily chores. One child is to cut the grass, while the other is to clean the kitchen. If they do their chore, they will be rewarded with an allowance. But if they do not do their chore, they will be punished for their disobedience. Upon arriving home, the father discovers that the grass has been cut, while the kitchen has not been cleaned. Now let me present to you three questions:
1) Does the disobedience from the child disannul the adoption process? (In other words; when the child acts disobedient, does this mean that he is not the fathers child anymore?)
2) Should both children receive the reward (allowance)?
3) Should both children be punished?
These are the same principles that God uses with His children. When He adopts you (by faith), you are forever His child, whether you are obedient or disobedient.
2 Timothy 2:19-20 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
It is foolishness to think that we need to prove we are God’s children through our works. What would you say if a neighbor or stranger came along and told your children, “If you don’t do what your parents tell you, then they will no longer be your parents”. This is pure absurdity, yet it is preached from the pulpit in nearly every church in the world. They will take verses that are talking about the reward (which is not free, and must be worked for to receive) and will tell you that either A) This verse is referring to the works required to become a child of God, or B) If your doing this (work), it proves that you are a child of God. It’s total madness! A child does not labor so that he can become a child of God (Ephesian 2:8-9), no more than he labors to stay a child of God. He labors so that His Father will reward him and say “Well done”.
We see all throughout scripture that a Believer can choose to be obedient or disobedient (let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.). It is foolishness on our part to say that we can look at a persons works, and determine (by their works) whether they are a saved child of God or not. It is only by the finished work of Jesus Christ that we can know that we are saved.
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Scripture upon scripture attest to the fact that a Believer can sin; even the most vile sins.
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
“No disciple is immune from peril; and Paul therefore devotes the rest of the chapter to proving how great a sin fornication is in one indwelt by the Holy Ghost. “Shall I then,”- for the sin is possible even to an apostle– “take away THE MEMBERS OF CHRIST and make them members of a harlot? (1 Cor. 6:15). If Paul has unbelievers in mind, then he warns them of a sin which they cannot commit; for to take the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot, is an act possible only to one in Christ: that is, Paul, throughout the passage, speaks solely of the members of the Body of Christ.
Thus it is certain that believers can commit such sins: it is certain that some in Corinth did:”
THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (by D. M. Panton)
The child works (not to stay a child of God or prove he is a child of God) so that he may receive the reward of his inheritance.
Colossians 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
When you take out the doctrine of reward by works, every verse pertaining to salvation is applied to how you become a child of God. No wonder people think that so many scriptures contradict. First they tell you that you are saved by grace, and then they tell you that you’re saved by works. Scripture tells us to rightly divide the two.
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(*It is important to note that when interpreting scripture, that we need to look at two important factors. Firstly; who is the writer talking to? Is he talking to a saved child of God, or is he talking to an unbeliever? Descriptions such as beloved, holy brethren, brethren, fellowlabourers, etc., would not be terms that would refer to unbelievers. Some will say that there is a third class of people which are pretending to be Believers, but in reality are not. This is merely double talk! They are trying to take away the warnings for a Believers punishment, and give them to the unbeliever. If a person is pretending to be a Believer, but is not, then they are an unbeliever. Secondly; is the writer using action words that refer to physical type labor? If this is so, then the writer is referring to laboring for the reward, and not how to become a child of God.)
When we see words like contend, run, strive, seek, labor, work, endure, suffer, overcome, etc., we can know with certainty that this cannot be talking about the salvation that comes by “faith apart from works.”
“But even a casual study of the Word of God reveals that a new horizon now opens on the redeemed soul. If (eternal) life is by faith, reward is consequent on works done after faith. For Scripture regards each saved soul as a runner racing, an athlete wrestling, a warrior fighting, a farmer sowing, a mason building, a fugitive flying, a besieger storming; and all this strenuous intensity rests on a fundamental of revelation-”that God is, and that He is a Rewarder.”
JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (by D. M. Panton)
This is also true when we see words such as reward, treasure, crowns, inheritance, etc;. Now we as children, may have a right to the inheritance, but through disobedience, we can forfeit our inheritance.
Numbers 14:11-12 And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
Hebrews 12:16-17 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
“Esau is given as an example, because he trifled with the glorious birthright that, seemingly, belonged to him. . . .Esau repented and sought to recover his loss, but he found no place of repentance with his father though he sought it carefully, with tears.”
IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY (by R. E. Neighbour)
“The ordinary subjects of a monarch are not heirs of his kingdom. That is the right of the firstborn son: and we are warned by the case of Esau not to forfeit our rights as the firstborn.
Esau was Isaac’s legitimate son and heir: he did not lose his sonship or his life through his sin, but he lost his priority as the firstborn to inherit the rule of the clan, “
THE FIRST RESURRECTION (by G. H. Lang)
Believers assume that when they see the word “salvation” in the scripture, that it is always referring to “becoming a child of God.” (not of works). In scripture though, when you see the word “salvation”, it is more often than not talking about the possible reward or punishment of the believer. In Jude, this reward is called the “common salvation”. The word “common” lets us know right away, that there is more than one salvation. Not only is it not free; we must earnestly contend for it.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
2 Corinthians 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
So we come to the question of: “What is the reward of our inheritance? (Col. 3:24)” “What is this great prize that we are to work for?”. In issue 2, we closed with what seemed to be a problem. We as Believers have the promise of being raised up at the “second resurrection” on the “last day”. But this resurrection takes place 1000 years after Jesus Christ returns (Refer to timeline). So what then do we do with this 1000 year gap? Let us see what scripture says about this 1000 year period that is referred to as the seventh day, the day of rest and the kingdom.
THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD
In issue 1, we showed through scripture that this 1000 year period has several different names. One of these names is called the “Day of Rest”. We also learned that there still remains a future “rest” to the people of God.
Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
If you will notice on your timeline, this 1000 year period between the “second coming of Christ” and our resurrection on the “last day”, is called the “day of rest.” Paul in Hebrews refers to it as the “seventh day”..
Hebrews 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise,
This 1000 year rest (or seventh day) is the rest that “remaineth” for the people of God (for one day is with the Lord as a thousand years).
It is here that Paul tells us, though eternal life is the gift of God and not of works, that we must labor (work) to enter into that rest.
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
We are clearly told here, that we will not get to enter into that rest of 1000 years if we do not labor. (Do all Believers labor?) Since we must labor, this shows that this “rest that remaineth for the people of God” is the reward of our inheritance.
“So the Rest is the Millennial Reign. For it is the sabbath rest, or seventh millennium, following on six thousand years of redemption toil: it is God’s rest in the old earth’s closing dispensation, foreshadowed by every sabbath under the law:”
JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (by D. M. Panton)
“While then, Christian, you rest in the work of Christ already done, see that you are labouring to have part in the millennial rest to come. For not in every individual of the saved can God find complacency. Many are not working for Christ, who are yet redeemed by Him. Shall not such be excluded as “unprofitable servants” (Matt. 25)
KINGDOM STUDIES (by Robert Govett)
Beloved, this very earth is yet to have rest. Wars, and famines, and pestilence’s will cease. Mark you, “His Name shall be called the Prince of Peace.” However, this age is not the age of the Prince of Peace. Not at all. The Day of Rest, is the Rest That remaineth, the Sabbatical Rest that is contained in God’s promise. Relative to that Rest, we must fear, lest we seem to come short of it. (Heb. 4:1)
IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY (by R. E. Neighbour)
The view also gives clear sense to the teaching that the “sabbath rest” of God must be reached by diligence and may be missed (Heb. 4);
THE FIRST RESURRECTION (by G. H. Lang)
“But all ought to be seeking by the obedience of faith for the future rest, which the apostle has set before our eyes. It is worthy our highest, our most sustained efforts. A thousand years of glory and bliss with Christ! A thousand years to be blessed and holy, the priests of God and the Christ, reigning jointly with the Son! For this Paul sought with his best vehemence, with his most assiduous endeavours.”
KINGDOM OF GOD FUTURE (by Robert Govett)
Now we know that a jury decides its case (whether it be true or false) on the evidence presented. So let us continue with building upon our case (along with the evidence we have already presented), that the 1000 years between Christ return and the second resurrection, is a reward. It is this writers belief (based upon what is overwhelming evidence in the word of God) that the 1000 year kingdom is an inheritance given to overcoming, working, merciful, obedient, etc. Believers; and that not all Believers will enter into that kingdom.
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
BLESSED AND HOLY IS HE THAT HATH PART IN THE FIRST RESURRCTION
If you will refer to the timeline, you will notice that we have two resurrections. One before the 1000 year kingdom, and one after the 1000 year kingdom. It is the second resurrection, after the 1000 year kingdom is over, that we are assured of attaining to. Martha gives a resounding “I know” when talking about Lazarus being resurrected on the “last day”.
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
This resurrection on the last day is known as the second resurrection. Surely if Martha knew that Lazarus would be there, then Paul was assured that he would also be raised up at the resurrection on the last day. But then a question arises in scripture. If Paul was sure of his standing at the resurrection on the last day, then why did he say:
Philippians 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Was Paul unsure of his standing as a child of God? Of course not! Paul was trying to apprehend the prize of every Believers high calling.
Philippians 3:11-14 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul was seeking (pressing toward) after the prize (not the gift). He knew that he would take part in the second resurrection (the gift), but it was his lifes sole purpose to attain unto the “first resurrection.”
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:
Paul knew that there was something better (a better resurrection), but he would have to sacrifice his life now, if he wanted to be rewarded in the world to come.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Paul suffered the loss of all things (in this world), not to become a child of God, or prove he was already a child of God, and definitely not to be seen of men! He suffered the loss of all things that he “might obtain a better resurrection” at the judgment seat of Christ.
Hebrews 11:35-37 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
If you are an unbeliever, you do not go through these things in Hebrews 11 to become a Believer. If you are a Believer, you do not go through these things in Hebrews 11 to stay a child of God, or to prove you are a child of God. You go through these things (torture, cruel mockings, scourgings, bonds and imprisonment, being stoned, sawn asunder, temptations, slain with the sword, being destitute, afflicted, tormented) that you can “obtain a better resurrection”! You go through these things so that you can, as Paul said, “press toward the mark for the prize.”
“The doctrine of such a first resurrection presents motives such as no other can, explanatory of Paul’s desire to attain unto it. The reign with Christ, and distinguishing honor and blessedness are connected with it. It gives us an explanation of the martyr spirit of the early Church, and the earnest desires expressed to experience its power.”
THE THEOCRATIC KINGDOM (by George N. H. Peters)
They have not, with Paul, counted “all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord”, and hence they do not “attain unto” that resurrection from among the dead, which Paul felt he might miss, but aimed to attain unto…”
We wish to place on record our solemn conviction that not all who are Christians, or think themselves to be such, will attain to that resurrection which St. Paul speaks in Phil.3:11, or will thus meet the Lord in the air. Unto those who by lives of consecration manifest that they are not of the world, but are looking for Him, “He will appear without sin unto salvation.”
UNION AND COMMUNION (by Hudson Taylor)
“The possibility of missing the First Resurrection, and therefore of reigning in the Kingdom, explains a staple of Paul’s ministry, that believers may be disinherited.”
THE FIRST RESURRECTION (by G. H. Lang)
“The force of the above passage is clearly this – our Lord laid hold on Paul, on purpose that He might attain the glory of the first, or select resurrection. To obtain this he counted nothing in the way of trial too great; he desired martyrdom itself, that by means of it he might reach so great a reward. Even he, Apostle as he was, great in action, great in endurance for Christ’s sake, by no means felt assurance of the certainty of his entering the kingdom.”
REWARD ACCORDING TO WORKS (by Robert Govett)
“There is no question but what Paul believed in the resurrection “of” the dead, and that he expected to rise “some time,” but in his letter to the Philippians (3:11) he expresses the hope that he might “attain unto ‘the resurrection of the dead.” Paul must therefore have had in mind some “special” Resurrection.”
DISPENSATIONAL TRUTH (by Clarence Larkin)
“The gift of God, believer, you cannot lose. But the prize you may lose. The first and blest resurrection is a reward to those “accounted worthy”
KINGDOM STUDIES (by Robert Govett).
“The First Resurrection is a reward for obedience rendered after the acceptance of salvation, and Paul knew not the standard which God had fixed in His own purpose”
- H. Pember (quote taken from “THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST” by D. M. Panton)
“Oh, that the thought, the hope of millennial blessedness may animate me to perfect holiness in the fear of God, that I may be accounted worthy to escape the terrible judgments which will make way for that happy state of things, and that I may have part in the first resurrection!
Fletcher of Madeley (quote taken from “THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST” by D. M. Panton)
“There yet remains a supreme uncertainty. Here are startling words. “Brethren, I count not myself yet to have apprehended: . . .but I press on.” Not apprehended what? “If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.” “It is most evident that Paul had some special resurrection in view, even the first: and to share in that he was straining every nerve”.
- MacNeil (quote taken from “THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST” by D. M. Panton)
“Of his resurrection at the end of the world, when all without exception will surely be raised, he could have no possible doubt. What sense then can this passage have, if it represents him as labouring and suffering merely in order to attain to a resurrection, and as holding this up to view as unattainable unless he should arrive at a high degree of Christian perfection? On the other hand, let us suppose a first resurrection to be appointed as a special reward of high attainments in Christian virtue, and all seems to be plain and easy.”
JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (by D. M. Panton)
Let us move on, and submit more evidence for our claim that Believers may lose their inheritance of the 1000 year Kingdom of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things;
THE KINGDOM
I will again direct your attention to the timeline, and to the 1000 year time period between the “first resurrection” and the “second resurrection”. We now come to the name that this 1000 year time period is most commonly referred to; the kingdom.
Now using the principles we have already learned in interpreting scripture, let us examine some verses pertaining to the “kingdom”.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Right away we can recognize that this is talking about the reward. For to seek after the kingdom involves work on our part. Not only that, the context of the scripture reveals that
it is the Believer (not the unbeliever) who is being addressed.
Matthew 6:30-33 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Do unbelievers get salvation by doing the will of God? Of course not! This scripture is talking to believers. Believers who do the will of God will enter into the kingdom; and those Believers who do not do the will of God, will not enter into the kingdom.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
Do unbelievers suffer to become a child of God? Do Believers suffer to stay children of God? Does a Believers suffering prove they are a child of God? I say to you based upon the evidence that has been presented in scripture; a resounding NO, NO, NO!!! If you as a Believer suffer, you may be counted worthy to enter into that blessed reward called the kingdom of God. If you don’t suffer, then you will be cast out of the Kingdom. Was Paul a Believer? YES! Then why did he fear being a castaway? Because a Believer can forfeit their reward through disobedience.
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Just as we receive the promise of eternal life through faith, we also must have faith to enter into the kingdom. But it will take more than faith to attain unto the reward of the kingdom; we must add works to our faith.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
I have faith that God has provided a way for me to overcome sin, and enter into that kingdom. But now, as Noah did, I must add works to my faith. For what would it profit Noah to have believed (have faith) God’s word concerning the coming flood, but then not to have prepared (without works) the ark? He and his family would have perished (is dead) with the rest of the world.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house;
Do you believe that God is coming again to judge his people? If you do, you have faith. But Believer, I urge you to perfect your faith by adding works.
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
“If one drop of your “evidence” of being saved has come from your “fruit”, you had best trust only in Christ Jesus now! (Charles Spurgeon / A few days before his death in 1892)
“But it has been generally taught that, whereas eternal life is a “free gift” (Rom. 6:23), i.e., free of conditions, as well as of purchase-price, rewards in the Kingdom may be lost and must be won. It is no more than an extension of this undeniable principle that the millennial kingdom is itself a reward and that attaining it is subject to the same rule.”
THE FIRST RESURRECTION (by G. H. Lang)
“We have made it clear that the kingdom is the time when God will reward the Christians according to their works. In the kingdom, the faithful believers will be rewarded, and the unfaithful believers will be punished. Many people think that if a Christian is unfaithful, although he may have to occupy a lower position, he will nevertheless make it into the kingdom. Many who do not understand God’s word and God’s work think that they are guaranteed an entrance into the kingdom of the heavens. They think that when the Lord Jesus comes to rule, there will merely be a distinction between higher and lower positions in the kingdom; no one will lose the kingdom of the heavens altogether. However, in the kingdom of the heavens, there is not only a distinction between higher and lower positions, but also the distinction between being allowed to enter and being kept out.”
THE GOSPEL OF GOD (by Watchman Nee)
“Why not accept God’s Word as written, observing that God is talking of the sorrow side of the judgment seat of Christ? that He is speaking of the saved suffering loss? of the burning up of their works, while they are saved as through the fire? Why not observe that God is talking about the losing of their place in the Reign of Christ on His throne? and of their place in the Millennial Kingdom?”
IF THEY SHALL FALL AWAY (by R. E. Neighbour)
“The apostles inquire of Jesus, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” There had been a strife among them which of them should be the greatest. Jesus replies, “Except ye turn and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven:” (Matt. 18:3) Is not that clear and startling? That to apostles! ‘You are inquiring which of you will get the chief place in the kingdom? I tell you, you will not enter it at all, unless you put away from you these ambitious jostlings, these bitter strifes with one another!’ Here, methinks, is the exclusion which I teach.”
REWARD ACCORDING TO WORKS (by Robert Govett)
“To those who believe on Him, but go no further, the Lord does, indeed , give eternal life; but the fruition of it will not begin until the Last Day, until the thousand years of the Millennial reign are ended. Such persons will not, therefore, be permitted to enter the Kingdom of the Heavens”
- H. Pember (quote taken from THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST by D. M. Panton)
“It has become obvious that reward and glory-the coronation of the disciple-is conditional on character and service: to what extent-as the parable we have just examined seems to imply-does this principle affect a disciple’s entrance into, or exclusion from, the Millennial Age itself? That return of our Lord in person to establish a Kingdom over the whole earth was the universal faith of the Church in its purest dawn. “The assurance [of that return and reign] was carefully inculcated by men who had conversed with the immediate disciples of the apostles, and appears to have been the reigning sentiment of orthodox believers” (Gibbon). “This prevailing opinion met with no opposition previous to the time of Origen” (Mosheim): until Origen no Christian writer can be found who denied it. “No one can hesitate to consider this doctrine as universal in the Church of the first two centuries” (Giesler).THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (by D. M. Panton)
CLOSING REMARKS
In closing, I would first like to state that the the author has only touched the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to this doctrine. All future articles will add to the overwhelming evidence in scripture to the truth of this doctrine. I would like to make a plea to the reader who has rejected the doctrine we have presented. First I would say not to reject this truth until you have considered all of the evidence. Would you be so bold as to get up from a jury in a court room, and say “I’ve heard all the evidence that I need to hear” and then walk out. I am quite sure the judge would have some very harsh words for you. We as Believers have two main obligations to other Believers when it comes to truth:
The first one is to listen.
Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
The second one is that if I am in error, then you have a responsibility to show me the error of my way.
James 5:19-20 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
As a Believer with a heart that truly desires the truth of God, I have to ask my fellow Believer in Christ “Are we closer to, or farther from the truth than the first century church?”
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Is it not possible, that we have reached the age in which, “some shall depart from the faith”, “that they will not endure sound doctrine”, “that they shall turn away their ears from the truth”, “that the love of many shall wax cold”, and that many will say “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” I must warn you that all of these verses were written to Believers. The time of Laodecia is upon us, and most Believers are asleep.
Listen to the words of Tertullian (160-240), who lived in the second century :
“We do confess that a kingdom is promised to us upon the earth. . . . .After it’s thousand years are over, within which period is completed the resurrection of the saints, who rise, sooner or later according to their deserts, there will ensue the destruction of the world. . .”
THE ANTE-NICENE FATHERS (Volume 3)
Perhaps Polycarp (69-155), who lived in the first century, is closer to the truth than we are.
“Irenaeus states that Polycarp had been instructed by apostles and conversed with many who had seen Christ . . .doubtless Tertullian is right in understanding this to mean that he had been established by St. John. . .”
A DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIAN BIOGRAPHY (Henry Wace & William C. Piercy)
Here are the words of Polycarp, who died a martyrs death, and had been instructed by the Apostle John:
“If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live worthily of Him, ‘we shall also reign together with Him’. . . .In like manner, let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves in, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since ‘every lust warreth against the spirit;’ and ‘neither fornicaters, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God,’ nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming. . .If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive; for we are before the eyes our our Lord and God, and ‘we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself.’ Let us then serve Him in fear, . . .”
THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS
Dear Believer in Christ,
I affirm that a Believer can miss the kingdom, and you affirm that a Believer cannot. I say unto you that one of us is right, and the other is wrong. We cannot both be right on this issue, so please let the scripture be the judge of the matter.
“He who affirms must prove. You affirm, that every believer will enjoy the thousand years of glory. Well, produce the texts which say so! If this be a Scripture doctrine, the testimonies to it cannot be far to seek. ‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established.’ This will settle the question at once. Holy Scripture was given on purpose to prove all God’s truths. If this be a truth of God there are texts which must assert it. Produce them! The same call was made by me in April and June, 1865, to the readers of the Rainbow: but the texts which prove the doctrine have yet to be presented.”
REWARD ACCORDING TO WORKS (by Robert Govett)
Galatians 5:16-21 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:8-10 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:3-6 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Why would Paul warn the Believers at Galatia, the Believers at Corinth and the Believers at Ephesus that they were in danger of losing their inheritance and missing the kingdom if there was no possibility of missing the kingdom? His warning to them was “Let NO MAN deceive you” and “Be not deceived”. The scripture is clear to those who are seeking truth and don’t twist the words.
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
WREST: To distort; to turn from truth or twist from its natural meaning by violence; to pervert
(Warning: All quotations from authors are only for the purpose of showing that other men throughout history have held similar beliefs. Those authors beliefs as well as the beliefs of myself should NEVER REPLACE the study of the Holy Scriptures. I encourage all men to lay the books of other men aside and to receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God….and the Spirit of Truth will guide you into ALL TRUTH)
= Face of Cherub
