In Defense of the Faith

A Question of Rewards and Remission of Sin

Question: In Revelation:22:12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
See All..., Christ says, “Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be.” What kind of rewards is He talking about?

Response: Entrance into heaven is not in question here. But what about the reward that the Christian will receive in heaven for his or her works done on earth—the crowns we will cast at the feet of our Lord who redeemed us (Revelation:4:10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
See All...). Paul explains, “For we must all appear [in heaven] before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done [i.e., works] in his body, according to that he hath done [worked], whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians:5:10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
See All...).

It is possible to grow cold in one’s love for Christ and to live for self instead of for Him and in His service for others. Such carnality causes the loss not of salvation but of a crown or crowns previously won: “Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation:3:11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
See All...). Salvation is by grace alone. The reward received, however , is based upon works, which will be tested and their quality revealed at the judgment seat of Christ.

Paul likens the Christian life to running a race for a prize: “They [athletes] do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible [crown]” (1 Corinthians:9:25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
See All...). Paul called his converts his crown of rejoicing (Philippians:4:1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
See All...; 1 Thessalonians:2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
See All...). There are other crowns to be earned as well: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy:4:8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
See All...); “Ye shall receive a crown of glory” (1 Peter:5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
See All...); “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation:2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
See All...).

As for verses such as Matthew:5:8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
See All... and Hebrews:12:14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
See All..., Scripture is clear in stating that we cannot by our own efforts attain to a personal holiness or purity that qualifies us for God’s presence. We are purged of sin, not by our own suffering here on earth nor by means of an invented purgatory. It is through faith in Christ and His blood that was shed for our redemption: “when he [Christ] had by himself purged our sins” (Hebrews:1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
See All...).

John reminds us that “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth [purges] us from all sin” (1 John:1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
See All...). Of the redeemed during the Great Tribulation period, we are told that they had “washed [purged] their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb [Christ]” (Revelation:7:14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
See All...). There is no reference here or elsewhere in the Bible to a purging that had occurred in some place called purgatory or by any other means than the shed blood of Christ.