What is the reward of the saints? Jesus Christ will rule as King of Kings in the Kingdom of God. Who then are the other kings? The Apostle John writes in Revelation 1:5-6 that the saints will not only be kings, but they will also be priests: "5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, "6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (KJV) The "us" to whom John refers are the saints of God. Converted Christians are to have positions of rulership as kings under Christ in the Kingdom of God. John also reiterates this truth in Revelation 5:9-10: "9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; "10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (KJV) Yes, the reward of the saints is to serve as kings and priests in the Kingdom of God on the earth. The prophet Daniel also records In Daniel 7:18 that the saints will rule in the Kingdom of God: "18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." (KJV) Again, in Daniel 7:22, Daniel writes that the saints will judge the people in the Kingdom of God: "22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." (KJV) In Luke 19:11-28, Jesus Christ gave a parable about the Kingdom of God to show that it was not to appear immediately. He alluded to himself as a nobleman who would go into a far country, which is heaven, and receive a kingdom. He gave his servants pounds, which are symbolic of the spiritual gifts that he gave to his servants. In verse 17 of Luke 19, Jesus said to a person whose pound had gained 10 pounds that he was to have authority over 10 cities. "17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." (KJV) Yes, the saints who overcome and grow spiritually are to receive as their reward rulership over cities in the Kingdom of God. John quotes Jesus Christ in Revelation 2:26-27 that the saints who overcome and keep the works of Christ will receive as their reward power over the nations: "26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: "27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." (KJV) Yes, the other kings in the Kingdom of God are the saints of God who have overcome their own sinful ways with the help of God's Holy Spirit. The saints who grow spiritually will be rewarded with positions as kings and priests in the Kingdom of God. Ruling over others with love is an important responsibility that God will give to his people who have overcome and followed the ways of God. The saints will have jobs for which they are well suited and which will be of benefit to their subjects in the Kingdom of God. That is indeed good news. |
