Rewards and Judgments
Introduction
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27, NKJV). Do we think about this judgment to come? Do we have any insight into what judgment we will face? The Bible lists several types of judgments. We will look at some of them.
Some people believe that we will all appear before the Great White Throne, where our works will be judged to determine if we can enter heaven. This is not what the Bible teaches. Our entrance into heaven is determined by what we do with Jesus. Jesus died for our sins; if we believe this, repent, and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, we will go to heaven (Eph. 2:8-9).
We read about several judgments taking place in the “last days.” The following is a discussion of some of the most important ones.
This post is a little longer than most study modules; however, I hope you will read all of it. Not many articles list all these rewards and judgments in one place.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
This judgment is a judgment of believers’ works – it will determine our rewards in heaven – not our destination. It is also called the Bema Judgment.
“The word bema refers to the raised part of a podium or an elevated platform, typically in a synagogue. It is also used as the altar part or sanctuary in Orthodox churches, as well as the platform where public speakers addressed the citizens and courts of law in ancient Athens” (Wikipedia). Our discussion will use it as a court of judgment with Jesus presiding as the Judge.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10, NKJV).
“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10, NKJV).
Let us look at how we will be judged. Our works will be judged to determine the rewards we will receive in God’s millennial and eternal kingdoms. We will reign and rule with Christ (Rev. 1:6, Rev 5:10, 1 Cor. 6:1-3)
Now let us look at the basis of our rewards.
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:9-11, NKJV).
“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Cor 3:12-15, NKJV.)
The wood, hay, and straw works are self-righteous works. Works committed by the flesh for our ego gratification and glory. The Bible says that anything not of faith is a sin, and the just will live by faith (Heb. 11-6, Rom. 1:17) – non-faithful works are carnal works and will be burned up with no rewards. We can give away millions, but if our self-esteem is the focus of the gift, then they are fleshly and not spiritual.
Only those works done through love, faith, and humility will survive, but those done to gratify our egos will be burned up. Our rewards will not necessarily be based on our visual services but on what God sees in our hearts and what motivates us to service. God bases everything on love – to God and our neighbors. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required” (Luke 12:48b), and “many who are first will be last; and the last, first” (Matt. 19:30b).
Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly (Matt. 6:1-4, NKJV).
In some of my Bible classes, I asked the question: is it a sin to put a hundred dollars in the church’s collection plate? The answer is usually no – very few will say it depends. Then I asked, what if I waved it around for people to see before putting it on the plate – then the answer would be yes.
This is the point Jesus makes in the verses from the sermon on the mount. In the second example, the action is from the head, not the heart. In the first example, the work would be recorded as gold, silver, or precious stones, and we would be rewarded in heaven someday. In the second example, the work would be recorded as wood, hay, or straw, burned during the judgment, and no rewards would be earned. In the first example, we give from the heart in love, whereas in the second, we give from our head to stroke our ego – we are selfless and want glory.
Also, in the sermon on the mount, Jesus addresses our treasures. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21, NKJV).
Our treasures will be those that survive the testing by fire. Our treasures will determine our rewards.
The kind of works that survive the fire will be spirit-led, whereas those that are burned up will be flesh-led – the Bible says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).
The book of Proverbs says, “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperityand honor” (Prov. 21:21, NIV).
The apostle Paul writing to the church in Ephesus, writes, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph. 4:30-32, NIV).
Today we read about some people having an “out of body” experience; some claim they have met Jesus. In many cases, Jesus asks them a question. What have you done with the life I gave you? How would we respond if Jesus asked us that question? Have we accepted the payment Jesus made on the cross for our sins? Have we lived our lives for Jesus in love and obedience?
In the second chapter of Ephesus, we read, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:8-10, NIV).
Ephesus 2:8-9 makes it clear that works do not save us – we are saved by the grace of God activated by faith in the work completed on the cross. We must repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Verse ten tells us about our works. God’s handiwork created us to do good works that God prepared long ago. I read this to mean that Jesus has a job description, which is unique, and prepared for us before we were born. How well have we lived out that job description under the control of the Holy Spirit?
How we have lived as God has planned our lives may determine some of the treasures and rewards saved for us in heaven.
There is also something interesting in the last verse we read above about the judgment of our works. “If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Cor. 3:14-15, NIV).
There could be two reasons a believer may receive few rewards. First, they may have been saved just before they died and needed more time to earn many rewards. Second, they may have wasted their lives by living a carnal lifestyle, and most of their works were burned.
When we get to heaven and meet Jesus, will He say, “What did you do with the life that I gave you” or will He say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt. 25:23, NIV).
There are at least two more questions that we need to answer. What will be the rewards, and when will they be given?
We will also have a job description in heaven. It may include working in Jesus’ millennial and eternal kingdom. There may be levels of authority in these kingdoms.
The apostle Paul wrote, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us” (2 Tim. 2:12, NKJV). “Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life” (1 Cor. 6:3), NKJV).
When will we receive these rewards? In the book of Revelations, we read, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:12, NKJV).
We are not told if this is at the time of the rapture of The Church or Jesus’ return to the earth to establish His millennial kingdom after the Great Tribulation.
I have a different version of this on a different website. You may want to read it. Just click “R. Wayne Jackson’s other Bible studies.”
Crowns
Closely related to rewards are crowns promised to some faithful believers. They appear to be the most coveted form of reward. Most of the narrative outlined below is quoted from another source.
“Crowns are a symbol of authority: As such, they denote the authority that will be granted to Christians during the millennial period when we reign with Christ for a thousand years. … Christians are now earning their position of service for Christ during the millennium. Our most enjoyable and profitable activities on this earth involve service for Jesus Christ. In like manner our most exciting experiences in the millennial kingdom will include administration of his program. (Tim LaHaye)”
1. Incorruptible Crown -The Victor’s Crown – “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown [stephanos]” (1 Cor. 9:25). “This crown often called the ‘victor’s crown,’ is conferred upon those who ‘keep under control their body and bring it into subjection.’’ “It is for those who have purged themselves from the inducements and pleasure of the world in order to be of profitable service for the Lord Jesus Christ” This is for everyone who completes the race for Christ. Note: the word “stephanos” is the Greek word for crown.
2. Crown of Life – Martyr’s Crown – “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10 [stephanos]). This crown is for those who suffer many injustices in life for Jesus.
3. Crown of Glory – Elder’s Crown – “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Pet 5:2-4. This crown is reserved for those who shepherd the flock.
4. Crown of Righteousness – For those who love His Appearing – “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown [stephanos] 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”. (2 Tim 4:8). “Reserved for those who, inspired by the imminent return of Christ have lived a very righteous and holy life. God simply lays down the major requirement: that a Christian be clean”
5. Crown of Rejoicing – Soul Winner’s Crown – “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). “This special crown is reserved for those who have devoted their primary attention to the salvation of lost souls.”
Note: Some believe Crowns can Be lost but others do not. – “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Rev. 3:11). “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward” (2 John 8). “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10).
Note: The above material was taken from “Life in The Afterlife”, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, By Tim LaHaye.
I am including two external links to the study of crowns. Just click on the website addresses below.
https://www.gotquestions.org/heavenly-crowns.html
The Judgment of the Earth – The Tribulation
When God created Adam, the first man, He gave him dominion over the earth. Later when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned for the first time, Adam turned the dominion of the earth over to Satan. Since that time, Satan and His demons have ruled the earth.
Jesus paid the price on the cross and redeemed the earth, but He has not yet taken possession of it. At some time in the future, God will judge the earth and all unbelievers living on it. These seven years are called the Tribulation, and all living will suffer greatly under the wrath of God.
During this dispensation, called the Church Age, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. All saved are members of the universal Church. Before the Tribulation, the Church will be raptured and taken to heaven with new resurrected bodies (1 Thess. 4:15-18 and 1 Cor. 15:50-54).
We are told that the Church will not experience the wrath of God because Jesus suffered it in our place on the cross. “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him” (1 Thess. 5:9-10, NIV). The Church will be in heaven during the Tribulation judgment.
The details of the divine judgments of the Tribulation are recorded in the Book of Revelations – they consist of nineteen separate judgments as recorded in a scroll. They are grouped into three groups called: the seal judgments, the trumpet judgments, and the bowl judgments. Each group has seven judgments, with the seventh seal judgment being the seven trumpet judgments and the seventh trumpet judgment being the seven bowl judgments – a total of nineteen separate judgments, with each group becoming more intense.
Let us look at the sixth seal judgment as an example of how intense and dreadful these judgments will be.
“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place” Rev. 6:12-14, NIV).
“Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide usfrom the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it” (Rev. 6:15-17, NIV).
When the Tribulation is over, Jesus, His angels, and saints return to Earth, where Satan, the demons, and the wicked are defeated and punished. Jesus then will establish the Millennial Kingdom on a restored earth.
Judgment of the Jews
The Old Testament prophets clarified that God would restore the nation, Israel, to its former glory and receive everlasting salvation. Paul confirms this for us in the eleventh chapter of Romans. “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins’” (Rom. 11:25-27, NKJV).
Although God has promised salvation to the nation, each Jew who enters the Millennial Kingdom must individually receive Christ as Savior and Lord. The prophet, Ezekiel, tells us of the judgment to come. “’I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face. Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD'” (Ezek. 20:34-38, NKJV).
Now let us look at the prophecy of Zechariah. “’And it shall come to pass in all the land,’ says the LORD, ‘that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘this is My people’; and each one will say, ‘the LORD is my God.’” (Zech. 13:8-9, NKJV).
“In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1, NKJV). “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn” (Zech. 12:10, NKJV). “And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends'” (Zech. 13:6, NKJV).
Only those living Jews who accept Christ as their Savior and King will survive. The others will be cast into hell. Those entering the new Messianic Kingdom will enter the New Covenant as prophesied in Jeremiah. “’Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. ‘For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more’” (Jer. 31:31-34, NKJV).
Please note that this covenant differs from the one given to the Church. They will no longer evangelize their neighbors because they will all know the Lord. “In that day “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the LORD’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts. Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 14:20, NKJV). God will not allow anyone who does not know Jesus as Savior into the Millennium Kingdom.
These are the Jews who will survive the Great Tribulation – some will be believers and some not. Therefore, they must be judged as to their entry into the Millennial Kingdom. We must understand that no Jews will enter the Kingdom unless they trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Jews who enter the Millennial Kingdom with retain their natural bodies and will continue to live as families – giving birth to a new generation who may or may not trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Believers will live to a very old age – some believe the entire 1000 years of the kingdom. The Bible says they will grow old like a tree (Isa. 65:21-23). However, those born during the Kingdom will retain their sin nature and may be unbelievers – if so, they will be judged and die by the age of one hundred (Isa. 65:20).
Judgment of the Gentile Nations
The prophet Isaiah gives us even more amazing insight as he sheds light on the future roles of Israel and the Gentile nations. “The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in My wrath I struck you, but in My favor I have had mercy on you. Therefore your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day or night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles, and their kings in procession. For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, and those nations shall be utterly ruined” (Isa. 60:10-12, NKJV).
It appears that the Gentile nations will pay homage to Israel during eternity. Whereas, in the past, the Gentiles have placed the Jews in bondage and persecuted them, now they will honor them. Those nations that will not honor the Jews will be judged and will perish.
We must realize that these Gentiles went through the Tribulation, and some did not receive the mark of the Beast.
They are not Gentiles in the church who have received resurrected bodies. Each Gentile will be judged based on their faith and confession of Jesus as Savior and Lord.
The future of the Gentile Nations in the Bible is very confusing to many people and has been misinterpreted. These are not Gentiles who are in the Church. At the time of this judgment, the church has been raptured, and all Church Gentiles will have received resurrected bodies like Jesus.
In Matthew chapters twenty-four and twenty-five, we have Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. This discourse is about the future of the Jews and not the Church.
As Jesus departed from the temple of Jerusalem for the last time, just before His crucifixion, He turned to His disciples and announced that the temple would be thrown down. In their astonishment, three questions were asked and recorded in Matthew 24:3. When shall these things be? What shall be the sign of thy coming? What will it be like at the end of the ages? Jesus’ response is recorded in Matthew chapters twenty-four and twenty-five in the Olivet Discourse. Beginning with verse 31 of chapter 25, He speaks of the judgment of the nations.
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'” “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:31-34, 41, NKJV).
Many scholars have interpreted these verses as applying to the Church – many sermons have been preached on this text. However, we are told to “rightly divide the word.” “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, NIV). However, all Scripture can be an inspiration to us.
Then we must answer the question. Whom are these Nations being judged? Are they nations or people? We can only have nations with people. Therefore, they are Gentile people who lived through the Great Tribulation and may have received the mark of the beast or not. Here they are being judged on their works as to whether they will enter the Millennial Kingdom. Only believing Gentiles will enter the Kingdom in their natural physical bodies. They must trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Unbelievers will be cast into hell. Believers like the Jews will have families and grow old. It appears that they will serve the Jews.
There will be no more wars until the end of the Millennial Kingdom. “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Isa. 2:4, NIV).
However, there will be a rebellion by the nations (those born during the Kingdom) at the end of the Kingdom.
We are told that Satan will be bound and placed in a bottomless pit during the one thousand years of the Kingdom and could no longer influence the people. “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time” (Rev. 20:1-3, NIV).
“When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them” (Rev. 20:7-9, NIV).
Notice the word “nations” in both quotes. The word “nations” in Greek means Gentiles. We have Gentiles in the flesh living close to the end of the Millennial Kingdom. We are not told if the Jews also rebelled.
The Great White Throne Judgment
God’s final action against sin will be at the Great White Throne judgment. “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence, earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15, ESV).
Some believe that there will be different levels of punishment in hell – the Bible is not clear on this. However, the books are opened to examine the works done while living on the earth. These books are used for judgment of the unsaved and perhaps determine their punishment – the saved are saved by grace alone and not works (see Eph. 2:8-9). The Psalmist makes this statement: “Give to them according to their works and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward” (Ps. 28:4, (EVS). This verse seems to indicate that the saved will be judged for rewards, and the unsaved will be judged for punishment based on their works done while living on the earth.
The Bible states that some people will be cast into outer darkness. “The sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12, ESV). In eternity, all light will come from the glory of God – the glory of God will not be in hell – there will be total darkness. People can choose to accept the salvation and Lordship of Christ while living in earthly bodies, but if they reject Christ, He will reject them at the Great White Throne judgment.
Some people believe that those living in hell will be in isolation; if this is true, – there will be no fellowship with others in hell.
Perhaps, the best description of hell was given by Jesus in the story about Lazarus and the rich man. “The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish” (Luke 16: 22b-25, ESV).
We are also told that not all who think they are going to heaven will go there. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21, ESV). Jesus said there is only one way to heaven: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6b, ESV).
The Bible says that we can all know if we are saved. “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom 8:16-17, ESV).
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® 2011 by Zondervan Corporation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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