"Levels" of reward in Heaven?

[EvangelineRenoir]

There is this oft-spoken believe in the local churches here that there are "reward tiers" in Heaven depending on what you do here on Earth. I never really got a proper since that's not what the church I go to claim, and the people I talk to are apparently just quoting something their pastor had said.

Basically the story is... if you do many good works for the Kingdom, you will have this grand 5-storey mansion in Heaven. But if you do less good works for the Kingdom, you still go to Heaven but your house is smaller. I've heard someone jokingly say that if you do no good works, "maybe you just get to camp out in Heaven's courtyard" or something.

Does anyone know or ever heard of such a thing? Like, I don't know if it was just a joke one pastor happened to say just for funnies, that somehow kept being repeated to the point that it cemented itself into a part of the theology, or...? I don't recall ever seeing this on other Christian websites online. I remember something in one of Paul's letters, about works being wood and hay and stubble. I thought it might be a weird extrapolation from that, but I've not had a chance to talk to someone who can tell me what verse does this belief come from.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

All works of the Believer most be birth and produced by the Holy Spirit. If they are not birth and produced by the Holy Spirit, it is dead works and rotten fruit.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Cor. 3:12-15

Huge Difference Between Entering & Inheriting the Kingdom

So, there’s a huge difference between simply entering the kingdom and inheriting it. They’re not the same thing at all! We enter (Strong’s #1525, to come into) the kingdom because of our new birth and because we have received God’s Spirit. But, we inherit that kingdom (Strong’s #2816, obtain, receive or possess it) as a “reward” for an obedient and faithful lifestyle here on earth. It’s the prize for being an overcomer and for making choices to live Christ’s Life.

He who receives God’s Spirit (through Jesus Christ) enters the kingdom; but he who partakes of Christ’s Life and over-comes the world, the flesh and the devil will inherit that kingdom. Thus, the Millennial Kingdom will be inhabited by born-again Christians, but ruled over by faithful and obedient overcoming Christians.

Very Important - God only rewards Righteousness if the Believer places and maintain their Faith exclusively in Christ and the Finished Work at Calvary Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus. Romans 4:5

 

[Dino246]

There is this oft-spoken believe in the local churches here that there are "reward tiers" in Heaven depending on what you do here on Earth. I never really got a proper since that's not what the church I go to claim, and the people I talk to are apparently just quoting something their pastor had said.

Basically the story is... if you do many good works for the Kingdom, you will have this grand 5-storey mansion in Heaven. But if you do less good works for the Kingdom, you still go to Heaven but your house is smaller. I've heard someone jokingly say that if you do no good works, "maybe you just get to camp out in Heaven's courtyard" or something.

Does anyone know or ever heard of such a thing? Like, I don't know if it was just a joke one pastor happened to say just for funnies, that somehow kept being repeated to the point that it cemented itself into a part of the theology, or...? I don't recall ever seeing this on other Christian websites online. I remember something in one of Paul's letters, about works being wood and hay and stubble. I thought it might be a weird extrapolation from that, but I've not had a chance to talk to someone who can tell me what verse does this belief come from.

Hello and Welcome, Evangeline...
Here is a response by Dr. Michael S. Heiser on this subject...

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

If it is to be noticed, the Lord told us that we must be "faithful." He didn't say anything about being successful, only faithful. This should be an encouragement to every Preacher, and in fact, every believer.

As we countdown to the Millennium:

Six heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament; The Crown of Inheritance (Colossians 3:24), The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25), The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19), (Revelation 21:4)., The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:8), The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:4), and The Crown of Life – (Revelation 2:10), (James 1:12)

Faithful = Faith placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and the Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus. Romans 4:5, Romans 8:2

 

[EvangelineRenoir]

Oh, so there's a difference between inhabiting and inheriting the Kingdom. I've not really ever thought of it that way. Going to have to look at that some more. Sounds interesting

Hello and Welcome, Evangeline...
Here is a response by Dr. Michael S. Heiser on this subject...

Ooh, bookmarking that for later viewing.

 

[Marcelo]

There is this oft-spoken believe in the local churches here that there are "reward tiers" in Heaven depending on what you do here on Earth.

I don't deserve anything, so if God has special mercy on me I'll be thankful for anything I am given in Heaven.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

I want to look at an interesting concept with you. It has to do with the statement in Revelation 22:2 that the leaves of the tree of life are for "the healing of the nations."

Revelation 21:4 NKJV says this, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” If heaven is a perfect place and we have resurrected, glorified spiritual bodies, why do we need a tree that produces healing? Why the need for a tree that produces life when we already have eternal life?

A possible answer lies in Revelation 21:24-26, in the description of the new Jerusalem. "The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.... Its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nation into it."

John is talking about a group of people who have access to the heavenly Jerusalem, but don't live there. He says kings and others come and go from the city bringing their glory into it.

In order to have kings, there have to be kingdoms for them to rule. John says there are people living outside the new Jerusalem who visit the city and bring their homage to God, the way pilgrims in our day might visit Mecca. Who are these people, and why do the need the healing leaves of the tree of life?

There is only one group of people left on earth to go into eternity in their physical bodies - those who were true to Jesus Christ and served Him during His millennial kingdom. They go into eternity after the Millennium with physical glorified bodies, not spiritual glorified bodies like we will have, because they did not experience death and resurrection.

To put in another way, these people will go into eternity with bodies like Adam and Eve had at their creation before they were flawed by sin. Their perfect physical bodies will be maintained through a special provision from God.

The bible indicates that the new, renovated earth will be occupied in eternity. This group from the Millennium will fill the earth because they will still be able to procreate. These people will make up the nations who aging the universe.

Pastor Dr. Tony Evans

 

[breno785au]

Levels of heaven is a Mormon belief, reject it.

 

[Nehemiah6]

There is this oft-spoken believe in the local churches here that there are "reward tiers" in Heaven depending on what you do here on Earth.

No there are no *reward tiers* but there are different rewards for different people. If your Christian works have eternal value, then they are gold, silver and precious stones (metaphorically) . If they have no intrinsic value they are wood, hay, and stubble. Also over and above the rewards are crowns. So it is up to you to either get serious about serving the Lord, or face a loss of rewards (not a loss of salvation, which is a GIFT from God).

There are several Bible passages which address this issue, so it is not something conjured up.

 

[Hevosmies358]

Im booking the mansion.

It says "My Father's house there are many MANSIONS" in the KJV. Paraphrasing

I do believe works determine the outcome of the after life for sure. The Bible says over and over we will be judged according to our works, or what we have done in the body.

Think about it: If you got two sons, one works hard for your company and the other one is a slacker, WHICH ONE are you going to give more wages?

 

[SoulWeaver]

We are the mansions being prepared, the temple not made with hands, in the city of God.
It's the Bride that is being "prepared", before finally meeting the Bridegroom.

 

[tourist]

I don't deserve anything, so if God has special mercy on me I'll be thankful for anything I am given in Heaven.

I feel the same way.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

“PARABLE OF THE FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL SERVANT

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant (refers to all Believers for all time), whom his Lord has made ruler over His household (in this case, the Church), to give them meat in due season? (God-called Preachers are responsible for properly feeding the flock.)

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He comes shall find so doing (refers to faithfulness till the Rapture).

47 Verily I say unto you, That He shall make him ruler over all his goods (refers to the Resurrected Saints being made “rulers” in the coming Kingdom Age, and the faithful of Israel being placed in the same capacity as the premiere nation in the world).

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delays His coming (exactly what many in the modern Church are now saying);

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken (not only to be in the world, but to be as well, of the world);

50 The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of (not ready for the Rapture; most of the modern Church, sadly, falls into this category),

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites (despite his profession): there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (will lose his soul, and go to an eternal Hell; most in the modern Church, sadly and regrettably, fall into this category; they are religious but lost!).” Matthew 24

JSM

 

[Magenta]

It is bothersome that any church would teach anything regarding
life in heaven since our new life is going to be lived on a new earth.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

“THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

14 For the Kingdom of Heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods (represents Christ at His first Advent).

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway (immediately) took his journey (every single Believer, none excluded, is given a proper Ministry).

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents (the talents were awarded according to faithfulness).”

17 And likewise he who had received two, he also gained other two (he was faithful with what he had).

18 But he who had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money (he wasn’t faithful).

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them (service for the Lord ends at death; however, the reckoning is reserved for the Rapture).

20 And so he who had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more (this will take place at the Judgment Seat of Christ).

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of your Lord (as is obvious, it is faithfulness here that is being rewarded; contrary to popular thought, God hasn’t called us to be successful, but rather to be faithful).

22 He also who had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them (faithfulness as well!).

23 His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of your Lord (if it is to be noticed, both received equal rewards; as stated, the criterion is faithfulness and not other things).

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I know you and that you are an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not planted (pure and simple, his statements constitute a lie):

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that which is Yours (the purpose of the “talent” was not preservation, but rather, multiplication; his action proclaims not only indolence, but as well, insolence; untold numbers, who claim to be Christians, fall into this category).

26 His Lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not planted (if you really believed that, you would not have done what you did):

27 You ought therefore to have put My money to the exchangers, and then at My coming I should have received mine own with usury (regrettably, the majority of professors of religion, fall into this category).

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which has ten talents (this is the law of the faithful; light rejected, is light taken, and given to the one who already has an abundance of light).

29 For unto every one who has shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him who has not shall be taken away even that which he has (in fact, this happens unnumbered times, every single day; observe religious denominations, which have rejected light!).

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (these individuals do not merely lose reward, but rather their souls; all of this, as should be overly obvious, completely refutes the unscriptural doctrine of unconditional eternal security).” Matthew 25

JSM

 

[Nehemiah6]

Im booking the mansion

Those mansions are not rewards, but a pure GIFT of God's grace (John 14:1-3), along with an eternal inheritance reserved in Heaven. Rewards are for what you did with yourself, your time, your money, your gifts, your talents, and your opportunities.

 

[Nehemiah6]

It is bothersome that any church would teach anything regarding life in heaven since our new life is going to be lived on a new earth.

It is even MORE BOTHERSOME to see that some Christians do not believe God and Christ about their heavenly home which is the New Jerusalem.

The earth is NOT for the Church, but for redeemed and restored Israel, and the saved nations after the Second Coming of Christ. The Bible clearly states that for Christians, OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN. You can either believe God or believe the false doctrines of men.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Levels of heaven is a Mormon belief, reject it.

Please quote chapter and verse from Mormon beliefs.

Or are you referring to this: "The highest kingdom, where God lives, is called the celestial kingdom, followed by the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms."

https://www.comeuntochrist.org/beliefs/purpose-of-life/there-is-life-after-death

 

[p_rehbein]

FYI:
Scriptures addressing this subject......

Romans, Chapter 2:
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

2 Corinthians 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

1 Peter 1:17) If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

Revelation 20:12) And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.

Psalm 62:12) And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord, For You recompense a man according to his work.

Proverbs 24:12) If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

1 Corinthians 3:8) Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor

As for this idea about multistory mansions and such...….nah........that's someone making stuff up to tickle someone else's ear IMO

 

[breno785au]

Please quote chapter and verse from Mormon beliefs.

Or are you referring to this: "The highest kingdom, where God lives, is called the celestial kingdom, followed by the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms."

https://www.comeuntochrist.org/beliefs/purpose-of-life/there-is-life-after-death

I don't know their texts. My understanding has come from talking to Mormons personally in order to understand what they believe. And that is one thing they all mentioned.
There are levels, Mormons get the highest level because they are Mormons. Us ordinary Christians do dwell in Heaven but on the second level.

Would you care to know how this cult has their "elders" live? You know those teenagers who walk or bike around spreading Mormonism?