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Promises of Reward
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Hebrews 11:13  (Go to this verse :: Verse pop-up) Do we grasp what these inspired scriptures of God are saying? They say in plain language that all these men died, in faith, not having received the Promises! The very fathers to whom the promises were made did not "go to their reward at death"! Nor had they "gone to their reward" years after the resurrection and ascension of Christ to heaven (see John 3:13)! Their reward still awaits them, after they are resurrected. Will You Go to Heaven?

Revelation 2:1-29  (Go to this verse :: Verse pop-up) Consider that this is Christ's message to His church just before the end, and this is what is most important for His people as we approach the end. Doctrine is mentioned seven times. Is that interesting in light of the times in which we live? We are seeing a major part of the church going haywire on doctrine! Is there something in the letter to Thyatira that mentions things that are happening in that group? The letters contain at least eleven warnings to these seven churches but also at least twelve promises. Christ mentions faith, patience, conduct, and doctrine. But the two greatest, related concerns for His church at the end are works (Revelation 2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8, 15) and overcoming (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21). Today, an awful lot of people are interested in church government at this time. It is not even mentioned by Christ! There are people who are interested in rituals, sacraments, and ceremonies, of which would be things like baptism or the Passover. But nothing in the seven letters alludes to these things. Nor is there anything in them about preaching the gospel around the world. These things have their place, but what we see is Christ's concern with doctrine, conduct, warnings to repent, and promises of reward. Now these things that are not mentioned are less important than faith, repentance, and holiness, all of which directly impact on doctrine, conduct, and receiving the promises. All of these are bracketed between His statements about works and overcoming. John W. Ritenbaugh Revelation 2-3 and Works

 

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