Intro: Rewards in Heaven—What Does the Bible Promise?
The Bible speaks extensively about rewards in heaven, emphasizing both baseline rewards given to all believers and special rewards based on faithfulness and service.
The Sermon on the Mount and Rewards in Heaven
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly speaks about rewards in heaven for those who follow Him with sincerity and righteousness. These rewards are given for:
- Being persecuted for righteousness and for Christ (Matthew 5:10-12)
- Praying in secret (Matthew 6:6)
- Fasting in secret (Matthew 6:16-18)
- Giving to charity in secret (Matthew 6:3-4)
- Asking, seeking, and knocking for God’s wisdom (Matthew 7:7-8)
- Following His words and commandments (Matthew 7:24-25)
Jesus contrasts earthly rewards, which are temporary, with heavenly rewards, which are eternal. He emphasizes this truth in Matthew 6:19-21:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The rewards in heaven Bible verses reveal that God has prepared incredible blessings for those who follow Him.
The Two Types of Rewards in Heaven
- Baseline Rewards – Given to all believers who inherit eternal life.
- Special Rewards – Granted to those who demonstrate faithfulness, endurance, and service to God.
Let’s explore 14 powerful Bible verses that reveal these rewards in detail.
Baseline Rewards in Heaven (For All Believers)
Every believer in Christ will receive foundational rewards in heaven, including eternal life, fellowship with God, and an incorruptible body.
1. A Place Prepared by Jesus (John 14:2-3)
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Every believer will have a dwelling place in heaven, personally prepared by Jesus.
2. Living in God’s Presence (Revelation 21:3-4)
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
The greatest reward in heaven is the eternal presence of God.
3. No More Suffering or Death (Isaiah 25:8, Revelation 21:4)
“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8)
Sickness, pain, and death will be eliminated forever.
4. The Tree of Life (Revelation 22:2)
“On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
This represents eternal nourishment and restoration.
5. The Light of Jesus (Revelation 21:23-24)
“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
Jesus Himself will be the eternal source of light.
6. Fellowship with the Saints (Hebrews 12:22-23)
“You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn.”
Believers will experience eternal unity with fellow saints and angels.
7. Incorruptible, Glorified Bodies (Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
“The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable… It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”
These new bodies will be:
Free from sickness and aging Able to do what Jesus did after His resurrection Designed for eternity
Special Rewards in Heaven (For the Faithful Servants of God)
Beyond the baseline rewards, the Bible describes crowns and treasures given for faithfulness, endurance, and service.
8. The Crown of Life (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10)
Given to those who endure persecution for Christ.
9. The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Given to those who faithfully anticipate Jesus’ return.
10. The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4)
Reserved for spiritual leaders who shepherd others in faith.
11. The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
Also called the Soul Winner’s Crown, it is given to those who lead others to Christ.
12. The Crown of Incorruptibility (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)
Given to those who exercise self-discipline in their faith.
13. Heavenly Treasures (Matthew 6:20)
Earned through righteous living and service to God.
14. Rulership and Authority (Luke 19:17, Revelation 3:21)
Faithful believers may reign with Christ in His kingdom.
Heaven’s Full Glory is Beyond Human Comprehension
While rewards in heaven Bible scriptures give us a glimpse of eternity, the Bible also states that heaven’s full glory is beyond human understanding:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
The true rewards in heaven will far exceed our imagination.
Final Thoughts
The rewards in heaven Bible verses remind us that our faith, endurance, and love for God will not go unnoticed. Baseline rewards ensure eternal joy for all believers, while special rewards honor those who go above and beyond in their service to Christ.
Are you investing in eternal treasures? The choice is yours.