The Reward of Christ
Image courtesy Mike McCune.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Every athlete starts off with the motivation of the gold medal. Every training session, every correction by the coach and every attempt in the selected event is an effort to improve oneself for the time of victory, of crowning and of glory. Every athlete looks forward to the time where his name is announced and they walk up the podium to collect the price. It is the same with the Lord Jesus Christ. He tells us to be occupied till He comes, to be faithful till death, and to deny ourselves! He also tells us that His reward is coming!
Notice firstly, the time is short
“…I come quickly…”
The word ʻquicklyʼ means suddenly and without delay. It means that the time of our course on earth is drawing to a close. The end-point is in sight; the stress and sighing will be over and trials and troubles will be a thing of the past. The heavy burdens will be removed, the pain will be erased and the tears will be wiped away.
Notice secondly, the time of reckoning is soon.
“…to give to every man according as his work shall be…”
For the believer, we will all have to face the judgment seat of Christ, to give an account of all the things that we have ever done in the flesh. Every word spoken, every deed done, every thought considered, every plan constructed and every relationship formed will have to go through the fire of Godʼs tests to see if it will pass the test of objective holiness and the standard of righteousness. The believers of this world are pressing towards the day where the Lord Jesus will judge them for their deeds done in this life. No one will escape this judgment and the time of reckoning.
Notice thirdly, the time of is reward is sure
“…my reward is with me…”
The Lord Jesus will never lie: when He comes, His reward will be with him. We are glad when Man rewards us, but when the Lord rewards us, it will be everlasting joy!
Do you realise that the time is short, that the Lord will judge us for our lives on earth and that our reward is sure? This is the vision of God, the word of God for the believer, and the high motivation for the one who loves the Lord Jesus – His reward is sure. Are you running the race?
Evangelist-Pastor Johnny Tan
Ambassador Baptist Church