Your reward is coming!

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” (Matt 16:27)

Welcome home!

I heard a story about a missionary who had spent his entire life on a remote mission field, working tirelessly to help the poor people there. Eventually his body got old, his health failed, and he could no longer carry out his duties. So, he had to return to America to live out his final days. After the long ship ride, they finally arrived at the sound of a band playing and a crowd of cheering people carrying signs saying, “Welcome home!” But none were for him. It was for some famous person they were greeting. No one was there to welcome him as he slowly made his way off the ship towards the small, sparsely furnished room where he would be staying. He put away the few little items he had been able to bring, and then sat quietly alone. He thought of all the hard work he had done over his lifetime in a faraway land and the toll it had taken on his life. He thought about the big band and the cheering crowd with welcome home signs, which were not for him. And he became very sad, with a heavy heart. He cried out to God in anguish, “Have I not done a good and faithful job serving you all my life, Lord? And yet, not one person was there to welcome me home! Why?” And he heard a small voice say, “You’re not home yet, my son!” He then understood the wonderful truth. He will one day actually be arriving home, and that arrival will be far above anything he could imagine!

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (Rev. 22:12 NIV)

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9 NLT)

Therefore

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Phil. 3:20 ESV)

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4 ESV)