The Reward Jesus Brings in Revelation
The book of Revelation, which begins as "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants" [1], depicts Jesus as bringing a reward with Him upon His return. Revelation 22:12 states, "Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work" [2]. This passage emphasizes both the imminence of Christ's return and the nature of the recompense He brings.
The concept of reward in Revelation is multifaceted, encompassing eternal life, participation in Christ's reign, and blessings for obedience. For those who are victorious and obedient, the reward is to "sit with Christ on his throne" [9]. This does not imply that Christians become divine, but rather that they share in Christ's victorious reign [9]. This shared reign is also described as being priests of God and reigning with Christ [11]. Another aspect of the reward for obedience is access to the "fruit from the tree of life," which is understood as eternal life [10]. This echoes the promise of life found in other blessings within Revelation [11].
The reward Jesus brings is not earned through human merit but is a gift of God's grace, received through faith [7]. As John Calvin notes in Institutes of the Christian Religion, eternal life is described as an inheritance given by the Father [13]. However, while salvation is by grace through faith, the reward is also presented as being "according to his work" [2]. This means that while works do not save, they demonstrate the authenticity of one's faith and provide a basis for ultimate reward or punishment [14]. Not every profession of faith is genuine, and true faith will manifest itself in actions [14].
The return of Christ, often referred to as His "second advent" or "revelation of Christ," is a central theme [6]. The Greek word apokalupsis is used to express this revelation [6]. The expectation of Christ's speedy return was widespread among early Christians [6]. When Christ returns, He comes forth "conquering and to conquer," riding a white horse, signifying His role in warring against opposing forces [12].
The reward is also described in terms of intimate fellowship with God and Christ. This includes being with Christ, beholding the face of God, witnessing Christ's glory, and being glorified with Him [7]. Jesus is identified as the "faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth," who "released us from our sins by His blood" [3]. This act of redemption, the purchase back of something lost by payment of a ransom [4], is central to the possibility of receiving any reward. The resurrection of Jesus serves as God's assurance that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [5, 8].
Sources
- Revelation “Revelation 1:1 (NASB) — The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,”
- Revelation ““Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. -- Revelation 22:12”
- Revelation “Revelation 1:5 (NASB) — and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood--”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reward of Saints, The — Is from God -- Ro 2:7; Col 3:24; Heb 11:6. Is of grace, through faith alone -- Ro 4:4,5,16; 11:6. Is of God's good pleasure -- Mt 20:14,15; Lu 12:32. Prepared by God -- Heb 11:16. Prepared by Christ -- Joh 14:2. As servants of Christ -- Col 3:24. Not on account of their merits -- Ro 4:4,5. Described as Being with Christ. -- Joh 12:26; 14:3; Php 1:23; 1Th 4:17. Beholding the face of God. -- Ps 17:15; Mt 5:8; Re 22:4. Beholding the glory of Christ. -- Joh 17:24. Being glorified with Christ. -- Ro 8:17,18; Col 3:4; Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2. Sitting in j”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 3:21: 3:21 The reward for victorious and obedient faith is to sit with Christ on his throne. Christians do not become divine, but they share in Christ’s victorious reign (20:4, 6; 22:5; Col 3:1-4; 2 Tim 2:12).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 2:7: 2:7 The reward for obedience is fruit from the tree of life—that is, eternal life (22:2; Gen 3:22).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 20:6: 20:6 Blessed: This fifth blessing of Revelation (see also 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 22:7, 14) focuses on the promised reward of life. God’s faithful people (20:4) will reign with Christ as priests of God (see also 1:6; 5:10).”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 19:11: behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him--identical with Rev 6:2. Here as there he comes forth "conquering and to conquer." Compare the ass-colt on which He rode into Jerusalem (Mat 21:1-7). The horse was used for war: and here He is going forth to war with the beast. The ass is for peace. His riding on it into Jerusalem is an earnest of His reign in Jerusalem over the earth, as the Prince of peace, after all hostile powers have been overthrown. When the security of the world power, and the distress of the people of God, have reached the hig”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 73: “in the world to come eternal life,” ( Mark 10:30 ), and elsewhere, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom,” &c. ( Mt. 25:34 ). For this reasons also, Paul gives the name of adoption to that revelation of adoption which shall be made at the resurrection; and which adoption he afterwards interprets to mean, the redemption of our body ( Rom. 8:23 ). But, otherwise, as alienation from God is eternal death,—so when man is received into favor by God that he may enjoy communion with him and become one with him, he passes fro”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 22:12: 22:12 Christ is coming soon . . . to repay all people, not just on the basis of their profession of faith, but according to their deeds (see 2:23; 11:18; 14:13; 20:12-13; see also Prov 24:12; Matt 16:27; 2 Cor 5:10). Not every statement of belief is genuine (John 2:23-25); faith will show itself in actions (Jas 2:14-26). We are indeed saved by the grace and power of God in Christ. Our works do not save us, but they do indicate the seriousness of our confession and provide a just basis for our ultimate reward or punishment.”