Appendix A:

Rewards in Heaven

Paul warns us of a coming judgment, not just for sinners but also saints:

2 Cor. 5:9-10 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.


There are degrees of reward in heaven. Not everyone who goes to heaven will receive the same reward. Those who gave up much, those who sold out to the Lord and served Him with all their heart, loving nothing but HIM, those who preached the Gospel, those obeyed Him consistently and lovingly, expecting no reward in return, those who even died for Him will receive much greater rewards.

Ps. 18:20-24 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands.…

Rev. 22:12 And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Heb. 11:35 ...Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

Matt. 16:27 For the Son of man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

1 Cor. 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

See also 1 Cor. 3:10-15; Eph. 6:5-8

Here is a list of rewards found in Scripture:

1. Crowns, 1 Cor. 9:25

The Crown of Righteousness, 2 Tim. 4:8
Condition: Given to all those who have loved His appearing

The Crown of Life, James 1:12
Condition: Given to those who love Him, who have endured temptation and been approved

The Crown of Glory, 1 Peter 5:4
Condition: Given to elders who have shepherded the flock well

2. A gown of salvation is given to all. In addition, those who live for Christ will have a robe of righteousness as well, Isaiah 61:10; Job 29:14; Rev. 19:8

3. Jewelry, possibly, see Prov. 1:8-9; SS 1:9-11; Ezek. 16:9-14 (done both figuratively and literally for Israel at one time, but judgment took this away, Is. 3:16-25)

4. Houses and lands, Matt. 19:29; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 18:29-30; the principle: 2 Chron. 25:9

5. Authority, Matt. 24:45-47;25:14-23; Luke 12:42-44; Rev. 3:21; 21:7

6. Glory, Rom. 2:6-7; Col. 3:4; 1 Peter 1:3-7; 4:12-19; Rev. 21:24, 26; 1 Cor. 15:35-49, 58

7. They will shine, Dan. 12:3; Matt. 13:43
Condition to meet: be wise; turn many to righteousness

8. One of the best rewards: The salvation of those who hear us, 1 Tim. 4:16

9. The sanctification and salvation of our families, 1 Cor. 7:14; Acts 16:31

10. And the best reward of all: Jesus will say: "Well done My good and faithful servant," Heb.13:20-21; Matt. 25:23


A final thought--Not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord," will go to heaven. There will also be people in heaven who are there because they asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, yet they never really sold out and lived for Christ. But those who truly make Jesus Christ their Lord over all their lives--these will be richly rewarded, far beyond anything they think or even imagine.


Diana Clancy
Copyright November 2007