By Bob Wilkin
In Part 1, we saw that there are two types of rewards: instant winners and perseverance prizes. Instant winners are secure the moment they are earned. Perseverance prizes are only secure once one finishes the race (2 Tim 4:6-8).
There are two related questions we will address in this article. Will we give our rewards back to the Lord (Rev 4:10)? And will rewards only be for the Millennium?
I remember watching a video put out by DTS on eschatology. In one segment, Drs. Walvoord, Ryrie, and Pentecost were talking about eternal rewards. They concluded the discussion by saying that we will give back to the Lord any rewards we receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ (the Bema). They pointed to Rev 4:10. There would be no lasting rewards.
Revelation 4:9-10 does not refer to the Bema. It refers to an ongoing event that occurs in heaven. You can find an article by me on that passage at our website.
We know we can’t give back our rewards because Scripture calls them imperishable (1 Cor 9:25) and that which cannot be lost or destroyed (Matt 6:19-21).
No. We will not give our rewards back to the Lord.
But will our rewards only last for a thousand years?
Many Dispensationalists suggest that ruling with Christ and the other perseverance prizes will be for the Millennium only. The perseverance prizes will cease when the kingdom moves to the New Earth (Revelation 21-22). However, we read about perseverance prizes in Revelation 21-22. See Rev 21:7; 22:12-14, 19.
Paul said that the crown of rulership would be an imperishable crown (1 Cor 9:25). While a thousand years is a long time now, in the eternal kingdom, it will be like one of our days now (2 Pet 3:8).
Any rewards won, instant winners, and perseverance prizes will be secure. They will be enjoyed forever. Of course, these rewards will not merely enhance our lives. They will give us the ability to glorify the Lord Jesus more. And since we were created to glorify Him, the more we do that, the more joy we will experience.
Yes. Eternal rewards are secure once they are won.
Keep your eyes on what Scripture calls the prize (1 Cor 9:25; Phil 3:14). He’s coming again soon. Will we be found faithful (1 Cor 4:2)? If we are, many wonderful perseverance prizes will be ours forever.
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Bob Wilkin is Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society. He and Sharon live in Highland Village, TX. He has racewalked ten marathons.
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1 https://faithalone.org/blog/will-we-give-back-our-rewards/.
