A Hero's Welcome: The Doctrine of Future Rewards and the Bema Seat of Christ

Martin Luther marked two critical days on his calendar—today and that day—the day he would graduate to heaven. Everyone who believes Jesus is God and trusts in Him alone as Savior has assurance of eternal life; but Luther understood that not all graduates experience heaven in the same way. God wants every Christian to have “a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:11), but a rich welcome—a hero’s welcome—is not automatic. A Hero’s Welcome answers questions, such as: · Do my motives affect the quality of my eternity? If so, how? · Does what I believe and teach in Scripture affect the quality of my eternity? · Does the way I treat others affect the quality of my eternity? · What rewards does Jesus give at the bema seat? Eternal rewards are one of the most neglected and misunderstood doctrines in Scripture; but when properly understood it compels every believer to pray, “Lord Jesus, help me to live this day the way I will wish I had lived this day when I stand before You on that day!”