Did you mention a reward?

Revelation 22:12

  “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.”

At the very end of the very last book of Scripture, our Lord Jesus made the above statement. He remarked that His reward was with Him. He did not say your reward is with Him. Romans 8:17 states that we, as believers are “coheirs” with our Lord Jesus Christ. As well, Ephesians 1:11 states that in Him we have received an inheritance. Therefore, it can be accurately understood that the reward spoken of in Revelation 22:12 is the reward composed of the inheritance that belongs first to Jesus Christ and then to us by virtue of our condition as coheirs with Him. This reward is only attained with- or literally through a relationship with the savior. Therefore, the operative question to be extracted from this verse is which works result in the receipt of the reward? 

  1 Corinthians 3:11-15 clearly indicates this reward as a reward for works completed on the foundation of the revelation of Jesus Christ as Messiah. These works will be tested by fire and their constitution will be revealed. Lodging this coming situation firmly in our minds eye, it is imperative that we examine our hearts and motives behind each work we complete for a good work is not always a God work. Superficially, the works appear contiguous in nature, the heart motive behind each work is veiled to the naked eye and thus human judgment. Therefore, a test of fire will expose the true composition of each work. As ominous as this may appear, the Lord our God comforts our hearts and minds with verse 15 wherein it is promised that although the works of the saints might be burned up as chaff, the saints themselves will be saved. The explanation behind this hidden promise of God is that Jesus will only test the works of believers. The works of the world will not be tested because the world will only be responsible for one action- how they respond to the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. Of course if someone outside of the body of Christ maintains their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ, since it is only through Him that salvation is available, then that person will be required to pay for their own sin. 

1 Corinthians 5:10 states that we {meaning believers} must all appear before the “judgement” or “bema” seat of Christ and it is at this Bema judgment that our works will be judged. We ourselves will not be judged here for we have already been found to be righteous as we are new creations. 

    Let this be a lesson to you, let your light so shine that man see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven that your works may not be burned up as chaff at the Bema seat of Christ!