Jesus Is Holding Your Reward.

Class Outline:

Thursday June 12, 2025

Main idea: Jesus Christ will return to judge all mankind because His cross was complete victory and the kingdom will be filled with righteousness.

 

MAT 16:27, Return of the King in the glory of His Father to repay. 

 

The “abundant” life is rewarded [click] (PSA 62:12; PRO 24:12; MAT 6:4, 6, 18). 

 

Repay: Psa 62; Mat 25; 2CO 5:10; REV 20:11-15.

 

There is a judgment of every man and Jesus (the God Man) is the judge (JOH 5:22). 

 

Timing of judgment:

 

Before His Return: Judgment of Israel

1. 1. 1. 1. Tribulational period
         2. 2nd Advent
         3. Gathering into the kingdom. 

 

Judgment of the nations (JOE 3:1-2; MAT 25:31-46). 

 

At the end of man’s long misrule on earth, there will come a special outbreak of wars with all the attendant disastrous results. There are many references to this in the Scripture, here is a sampling: JER 25:27-33; Isa 24. 

 

After His Return: GWTJ: REV 20:11-15.

 

Setting up the courtroom in heaven:

 

Occurs when the devil’s man begins his short career so as to begin the events that will lead to the establishment of Christ’s kingdom (God’s man); DAN 7:8-10. 

 

The Son of Man coming into heaven DAN 7:13-14. 

 

This coming is entering into heaven. It may be that Christ’s prophecy in MAT 16:28 concerns His ascension (along with the Transfiguration “some” saw both events).  

 

Losing your life so that you may find it, which is denying yourself, picking up your cross, and following Him - has eternal results for you, and the only way to fulfill your life in time. 

 

Basis of your rewards:

 

Praxis (“deeds” in MAT 16:27) is singular = function implying sustained activity. It is the fulfillment of your calling (your function - ROM 12:4)? 

 

Don’t get hung up on how much you do, but on whether you are fulfilling the plan that God has designed for you - functioning well in your spiritual gift in the service of the Father to the body of Christ. (and do many good works: “bear much fruit”). 

 

France: “the focus is not on lifestyle in general, but on whether or not they have maintained their commitment to Jesus in the face of hostility.”

 

PRO 24:12

 

Avoid the mentality of seeing good works like a job where you do what is required and then clock out and then go do what you want to do. Following Christ, present tense, is continual. That is why it is vital to first decide and commit to denying yourself and picking up your cross. 

 

MAT 16:28 What does Christ mean that some standing there will behold Him coming in His kingdom?

 

There are many interpretations: Transfiguration, His resurrection, Pentecost, the church itself, the fall of Jerusalem, a mystical spiritual experience.

 

I favor the transfiguration interpretation, especially in light of what Peter writes about it 2PE 1:16-18; c.f. DAN 7:13-14; MAT 28:18; ACT 1:9. 

 

I think His ascension into “a cloud” is linked somehow to the Transfiguration (MAT 17:5) - Him coming into His glory. It does not have to refer to the second coming.

 

Application:

 

It is vital that we know the Person of Christ victorious at the right hand of God so that we will not be discouraged by difficulty and loss when we deny ourselves and take up our crosses.

 

Remind yourself that He sees everything you do and think. You will be rewarded no matter who notices. You will be persecuted and insulted. Remember their judgment as well as your own.

 

Remember that the wicked will be judged. Don’t hate them but pity them, love them, appeal to them. Paul said that he was all things to all men that he might save some.

 

Don’t get caught up in timing last day events or counting your deeds. Know what is going to happen to the world and follow the Lord every hour of every day.