(tm) Or, He may have cause to say,
Back to What comes after Pentecost?
"It became necessary for me to remove those things that hindered you, but you remained faithful throughout your fiery trial. Welcome to My kingdom." Christ then will wipe away our tears and we will be saved from the wrath of God.
There are some believers who will hear neither of these comments. Rather, they will face an angry Christ who will command that they be thrown into outer darkness (Matthew 25:30).
There appear to be some misconceptions concerning the giving of rewards under the new covenant. Consider, if you will, the following two seemingly inconsistent statements:
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (Romans 4:4)
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)
In Romans, Chapter Four Paul seems to be saying if we do nothing except believe in Christ, God will reward us because of our belief. If we do anything about our salvation, God then owes us something and this interferes with His grace.
In Revelation, Chapter 22, however, John informs us that Christ shall reward men according to their works. The two passages appear to be in opposition. Romans seems to state righteous works interfere with the grace of God while Revelation maintains there is a reward for righteous works.
The seeming clash between Paul and John is caused by the fact that they are referring to two different aspects of salvation. In Romans, Chapter Four Paul is declaring works of the Law of Moses are not the way to obtain the righteousness of God.
Paul presents Christ as the answer to our need for right standing with God. If a man "works," if he attempts to gain God’s favor by keeping the laws and ordinances of the old covenant, he is avoiding the cross of Christ.
Through keeping the Law of Moses he hopes to earn the reward of God’s approval on his life. Therefore, a righteousness that comes by faith in God’s Lamb is not necessary. He has gained the reward by blameless observance of the Law and the Levitical ordinances. God owes salvation to the observant individual because he has earned it by his efforts.