Bible Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of 'your reward in heaven' in Matthew 5:12? What about 1 Peter 1:4 and the reward reserved in heaven?

• Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
• Peter 1:4,5 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The reward is resurrection from the dead to eternal life in the kingdom of God which will be established upon the earth when Christ returns. This is the treasure we lay up in heaven by obeying the Gospel.

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This reward is reserved in heaven until the day of Christ’s return.

• 1 Peter 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
• Colossians 1:5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel
• Colossians 3:3,4 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
• 2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
• 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

The faithful will be raised from the dead to eternal life on this earth.

• Hebrews 11:13,39-40 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth… 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
• John 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
• John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
• John 6:54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Gospel of the kingdom of God is about the restoration of the kingdom of David as the kingdom of God upon earth. No one other than Jesus Christ goes to heaven.

• Luke 1:32,33 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
• Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn