Are there degrees of joy and glory in Heaven (and eternity) for the people of God? That is where our focus will be in this chapter. John Gill, in his Body of Practical Divinity and the section on page 446 titled "Of The Final State" (you can read it here) wrote the following (emphasis mine):
"It may be considered, whether there will be any degrees in the final happiness of the saints; or whether one saint will have a greater share of happiness than another. It appears, there will be degrees in the punishment of the wicked in hell; and some think there will be degrees in the happiness of the saints in heaven; and others not: and there are some things advanced on both sides not to be despised. The arguments against degrees in glory are - That all the people of God are loved by him with the same love all chosen together in Christ, equally interested in the same covenant of grace, equally redeemed with the same price, justified by the same righteousness; equally the sons of God, and all kings and priests. The future glory and happiness of the saints, is frequently expressed by words of the singular number; shewing, that though it belongs to more, it is the same to all. It is a question moved by some, whether there will not be an increase of the happiness of the saints in a future state, or some addition made unto it, and improvement of it, by fresh discoveries of the mysteries of grace and of providence, that may be gradually made, which may afford new pleasure and delight. This is not easy to determine; much may be said for the growing happiness of the saints onward in eternity; but the determination of this question, must be left till we come into that state when we shall know even also as we are known."
So, do we venture into those things wherein few feared or hesitated to go? Will we go beyond scripture and accept and believe speculation authoritatively?
It does seem to me that joy in Heaven and the eternal state will not always be the same but will find times when joy is greater than at other times. If always the same it may tend to monotony and boredom and of taking things for granted. Of course, I am speculating somewhat, but the scriptures do seem to indicate that the joys of heaven will not be always on the same level. I believe there will be times when all the host of Heaven is gathered in corporate worship and that such times will bring increased joy and pleasure.
Consider also God's description of the new heavens and earth in Isaiah and his words "mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." (65: 22) I thus picture life in eternity as my involving myself in various hobbies, crafts, arts, music, etc., as well as in doing some particular happy service for the kingdom of God. As all creators and artists know, there is joy in doing a project or work that one delights to do, but there is greater joy that comes from the completion of a project. I will enjoy the work of my hands. So Solomon says "the end (fulfillment, goal) is better than the beginning." (Eccl. 7: 8)
In spite of what Dr. Gill wrote in the above citation, he said this elsewhere: "...in the ultimate glory, there will be no degrees, but all the saints will share the same happiness." (Commentary on Mark 10:38) I don't believe that is correct for the reasons given in this chapter. It boils down to really one twofold question: "will the joy of a single saint always be the same and equal to all the saints in glory?" If the joy and glory be increasing, will it increase the same for all at the same time? That there will be in Heaven differing degrees of joy experienced in the next life is seen in Luke 15: 6-7. Said the Lord Jesus: “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Those who say that God rewards every saved Christian equally sometimes point to a specific parable of Jesus to make their case, such as in Matthew 20:1-15.
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius (penny kjv) for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place; and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’ When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius. When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ But he answered and said to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go, but I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’"
Does this mean regardless of what we do here on earth, the reward in heaven will be the same for all of us? Or is it possible this parable is really trying to make an entirely different point? For myself I think it is saying that all who have become servants of God, or been converted and saved, will all equally get salvation and the salvation package, which includes immortality and eternal life, equal children in the family of God, equal shares as citizens in the commonwealth of the city of God, etc. One cannot have more immortality than another.
But, this equality does not exclude some having greater positions of authority in the coming kingdom, and greater recognition and reward therein, and which seemingly would bring greater joy and pleasure. This would all be so in a context where there is no competition but only cooperation (although I would not exclude playing games or such other fun activities). Consider how the gates of the eternal city, New Jerusalem (Rev. 21-22), will have twelve gates and twelve foundations and each has a name of the twelve apostles. (21: 14) That suggests higher honors for the apostles.
In answering such questions, we must be careful at times to distinguish between rewards given and enjoyed in the Millennial reign of Christ and those given for eternity in both the new heavens and the new earth. I think this is the case with the Lord's lesson on the ten servants who were given their Lord's money to securely invest.
"And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities." (Luke 19: 11-19)
Being a ruler over cities seems not to be a description of life in eternity but in the thousand year reign of Christ on earth (Rev. 20). In the Millennium some saints will rule over ten cities and others over five cities, which shows greater responsibility and greater rewards. Some theologians, such as J.A. Seiss, think that the human race will never cease being a self propagating species, so that there will always be children being born and cities therefore. Nevertheless the above passage does seem to show that rewards will not all be the same. It seems likely that the different levels of employment and reward in the eternal kingdom will be like it will be in the Millennium. Whether there will be cities (plural) in eternity or only one single city, New Jerusalem, is a question beyond the scope of this series.
Another thing to consider is the fact that even now in the church age there is both equality and inequality among the saints. Though all equally are the children of God, and "sons of God," and equal in the blessings of salvation, yet they are not equal in other respects. Some bring forth "good fruit" thirty fold, some sixty fold, and some a hundred fold. (Matt. 13: 8) Some are more obedient, more godly, more holy, more pleasing to the Lord, yea, even more loved and favored of the Lord. So John was specifically "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (See John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 20); And, some love Christ more than others. There are exhortations in the new testament about increasing in love to God and Christ. Jesus even asked his host which of two people would love him more, the one who had many sins forgiven or little? (Luke 7: 47) Thus, all are not recipients of the same amount of rewards or commendations from Christ for his labors.
Rewards and Status According to Works Accepted
Concerning people experiencing varied degrees of punishment in Hell we have seen that certain scriptures seem to say that the degree of punishment is based on the amount of evil works done in life. The same is true with the degree of reward in heaven, it being based on the amount of good works done in life by faith. One of the leading texts to show that there will be levels and degrees of joy and reward in the eternal state, after the second coming and the inaugural of the eternal kingdom of Christ, is the following text.
"For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (I Cor. 3: 9-15 nkjv)
This text is not without its difficulties. Yet, what it teaches is directly related to the subject we are addressing in our study of the afterlife and of life in eternity. It seems to uphold the view that 1) there are degrees of reward for the saints in heaven, and 2) that the determining factor for reward is faithful service in building properly upon the foundation which is Christ, and which is the Gospel.
Questions To Be Decided
1) who is the person(s) intended by the pronouns in the words "if anyone builds upon" and "let each one," and "each one's work," and "he will suffer loss," and "but he himself will be saved"?
2) what is the significance of the metaphor of laying Christ as a foundation?
3) what is "the day" of the text?
4) how is that day connected with fire?
5) how does that day of fire "reveal," "declare," or make "clear" the kind of works built on top of the foundation?
6) what is the nature and extent of the loss from the fire?
7) what is the reward for building with noncombustible materials?
8) is the reward the same for all the saved?
9) what is meant by "yet he himself shall be saved?"
10) what is meant by "yet so as by fire"?
Who Is Meant By "Anyone"?
Some think that the ones who build upon the foundation Paul laid in the hearts and lives of the members of the church of Corinth would be those pastors and ministers who followed Paul and labored in building up the church he founded. They would then interpret Paul as saying that a soul winner is not held responsible for the souls he wins to the Lord. If one of them does not live right (build upon their faith), or believe right, the soul winner will be saved regardless and will not lose his reward as a soul winner. That is certainly true, but I doubt that is what Paul is specifically referring to.
I rather believe that the one who "builds upon this foundation" is the one who has been converted, and who has received Christ as Lord and Savior and made him the reason and ground for living a joyous life. The one who builds the foundation is the one who communicates the story of Christ, the gospel and word of God, to a lost soul and becomes instrumental in the conversion of sinners. But, beyond that application is the fact that it is actually each converted soul who lays that foundation in his or her own life and spirit. If Paul is the wise master builder who lays the Christ foundation in the heart of a lost sinner, it is as a "building contractor" who has been employed by both God and the one wanting a house built (the converted sinner).
Whether by the metaphor of house building or by soul winning via evangelism, in either case it requires some wisdom in the things of God and the Spirit. So Solomon said "he who wins souls is wise." (Prov. 11: 30) Christian parents should strive to be wise master builders in laying a Christ foundation in their children. So should all Christians seek to establish Christ deeply in the heart of all by spreading the knowledge of God to the world.
Therefore the exhortation "but let each one take heed how he builds on it" must be foremost addressed to new converts who are beginning their new lives in Christ by having had a proper foundation laid for it, they being the ones denoted by "let each one." It does not mean "let each pastor who serves new converts build up the church in further teaching."
Paul does distinguish between the first preacher who brought people to Christ and formed a new church, the "evangelist," and those who came afterward and labored to build up the new converts in the most holy faith, when he wrote to the Corinthians, saying:
"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." (I Cor. 3: 6-8)
This metaphor of ministers as crop farmers is similar to the metaphor of them as master builders (masons). Paul "planted" (as a farmer is) equated with Paul "laid the foundation of Christ as a master builder"; And, "another builds upon the foundation laid" is equated with Apollos "watered." So Paul combines both metaphors when introducing this section of his epistle by saying "you are God’s field, you are God’s building." And, the exhortation to each would be similar under each metaphor. We could therefore say
1) "take heed Apollos how you build upon the foundation laid by your predecessor Paul" or
2) "take heed Apollos how you water what seeds and plants were planted by your predecessor Paul."
We could also say "each one (planter or waterer) (foundation builder or top of foundation builder) will receive reward based upon his own labor." I do not doubt that this is true and is a valid application of the principle meaning of the apostle, but I rather think that the language is addressed to every new convert, and is what every old convert should always keep in mind as he or she builds a life well pleasing to the Lord, and one that will last through the fire.
There are several texts that speak of the soul winner's and bible teacher's rewards, such as this text: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?” (1 Thes. 2:19) Every soul winner will be rewarded and given reason for greater joy for having preached the good news to others. So the record says "how beautiful are the feet of them which preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things." (Rom. 10: 15)
Of course, Paul also was concerned about labor lost. Said he to the Galatians who were turning from the gospel - “I fear for you, that I may have labored over you in vain” (Gal. 4:11; NASB). In any case, "every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor," whether it be the foundation builder, or the superstructure builder, or whether it be the planter or the waterer, "every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor." Further, labor expended in spreading the good news will be rewarded in heaven forever, even when it produces no converts, for it is a good work in itself. The reward will indeed be greater for the evangelist as a result of converts made, up and above reward for labor done for its own sake.
I believe that the laying of Christ as a foundation has both an individual and corporate fulfillment. There are several scripture texts which show that the conversion experience begins with the sinner's accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, which action is likened to beginning the construction of a building, and the first action is to build the right foundation. Let us notice some of those texts.
"Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand." (Rom. 15: 20-21)
This text relates to our main text in I Corinthians chapter three. In the above text the foundation layer is the one who makes the first converts and forms them into a church based upon the basics of the gospel message, which is the foundation, which is Christ. The one who builds upon that foundation is the teacher who trains and disciples believers as they live their Christian lives and work in his kingdom. And, many think it is the same in I Cor. 3: 9-15. I agree that the application of that text is as in Rom. 15: 20-21. But, I also think that Paul focuses on the individual responsibility of each Christian to build his life and character upon the foundation of Christ, which includes upon his teachings.
The text also, as our main text, shows that eternal salvation as well as rewards (over and above common salvation) is connected with our building upon this foundation. Laying the foundation of Christ in the heart is certainly an image of conversion and salvation. Building on top of that foundation is for rewards, yes, but if a man is building only of combustible materials, it shows that he is not rooted and grounded in Christ, and that he is not persevering and growing. But, more on that shortly.
"Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Col. 2: 7)
Though the word "foundation" is not in this text, nor the word "laying," yet the word "built" is in the text along with the words "rooted" and "stablished." Thus, it elaborates on what it means to have Christ laid as a foundation in a person's heart, soul, mind, and spirit, and for a church forming. A person who is saved is one who has Christ and his word made the foundation of all that he is, all he thinks and does (though each does not live up to that aim perfectly). To be rooted in Christ is to be "stablished" and "grounded" ("rooted and grounded" - Eph. 3: 17; "continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast" - Col. 1: 23), in what Christ taught.
Working On A Building?
A popular Christian song begins with these words:
"If I was a sinner I'll tell you what I would do I'd quit my sinning and I'd work on the building, too I'm working on a building, I'm working on a building I'm working on a building, for my Lord, for my Lord It's a holy ghost building, it's a holy ghost building It's a holy ghost building, for my Lord, for my Lord
The song words above revolve around the idea of working on a building for the Lord, focusing on the construction of a "Holy Ghost building." It may be interpreted as the act of physically constructing a building for religious purposes, but its significant imagery is that of building a life and character that is a fit temple for God. Other Christian hymns and spiritual songs also speak of working on a building for the Lord. Such as one sung by Elvis Presley and others too.
I'm working on a building, it's the true foundation; I'm holding up the blood-stained banner for my Lord. Well, I never get tired, tired, tired of working on the building; I'm goin up to Heaven, Oh Lord, to get my reward.
Sometimes this building construction language is stated passively (we are being built by someone else) and at other times actively, we ourselves doing the building. In Freemason symbolism this is quite apparent. Each member is viewed as in the process of being made into a perfect stone in the temple of God, but also each member is to work building his own singular temple. When he first begins this work he is compared to a "rough ashlar" piece of stone, which then must be sculptured by using the tools of a stone mason, such as his trowel, mortar board, compass, square, etc. There are also tools for chipping away the stone and this is interpreting as our chipping away at the bad things in our lives and characters. Wrote one Masonic source (See here emphasis mine):
"When we first enter the fraternity, we learn through ritual to try and apply the lessons of Masonry to our lives to grow, mature, and receive more light. Quickly we are introduced to the concept of the “rough ashlar,” a symbol for visualizing the moral and behavioral improvements we seek to make in ourselves. When we become a Freemason, we become the rough ashlar, the stone in need of shaping and polishing."
"In our ritual, the ashlar symbolizes the change a man goes through as he journeys through the craft. The rough ashlar represents a Freemason before he is initiated, coarse and waiting to be crafted into a useful stone. As a Mason works on his craft, shapes himself into a man of service and integrity, he is smoothed into a perfect ashlar...A Freemason becomes a perfect ashlar through hard work, education, and a diligent effort to live an upstanding life."
I find no problem with the metaphor of being a stone worker, or stone layer, with the new testament imagery of Christians building their characters and lives after the pattern, which is Christ, and according to the word of God. Some might think that this imagery makes salvation to be of works, but not really. Both God and the Christian are declared to be doers of the same building project. God is building the character of his people and his people are building their own character. Notice these texts:
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (Eph. 2: 19-22 ESV)
"You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (I Peter 2: 5 ESV)
This spiritual or metaphysical temple of the above texts is the same corporate or social body we call the "church." This temple is not made of bricks (as was Nimrod's kingdom of Babel) but of stones. Further, there are stones in both the foundation and in the walls, floors, and roofs built upon the foundation. These stones are not unquarried stones but quarried. They were cut out of the quarry and shaped by the stone masons. So was Solomon's temple and every other temple of the Hebrews. So too were the temples of the Greeks and other Pagans. The stones are of different shapes and sizes also and have their predetermined place assigned in the temple. Commenting upon the construction of Israel's first temple, built by Solomon with material provided by king David, the record states:
"The house, while it was being built, was built of stone prepared at the quarry, and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any iron tool heard in the house while it was being built." (I Kings 6: 7 NASB)
In an excellent article titled "The Stones of the Heavenly Temple Prepared on Earth," William Bacon Stevens wrote (emphasis mine - see here):
"In looking then at this Christian temple, let us observe: first, the stones of which it is composed; secondly, the preparation of them; and thirdly, their destination."
"But believers having been hewn out from the quarry of humanity by the electing grace of God, are termed living stones; not inert masses of rock, not senseless blocks of marble — but full of life, feeling, action; and they are thus designated because Christ, as the tried corner stone, the sure foundation, is called a living stone, and diffuses his own life through all parts of the spiritual temple which rests on him...But when the tree is thus felled, when the stone is thus quarried out — is it immediately fitted for its destined place in Heaven? In most cases we answer, no. Though at conversion the child of God is a marked man, though he is justified freely by the grace that is in Christ Jesus — yet how much spiritual trimming and dressing, how much hewing and squaring does he need to fashion him aright for the position which the Divine Architect intends he shall occupy hereafter! There are sharp angles of character to be rounded off — unsightly protuberances of conduct to be chipped away — many roughnesses of temper to be smoothed down — many flaws and cracks of mind and heart to be chiseled out! And then, when the general form of the stone is prepared, how much severe friction is required to give it the right polish, and bring out all its beauties — so that its smooth surface may fling back the rays of the Sun of Righteousness!"
"Let the Christian, then, who is passing through fiery and discouraging trials and afflictions, remember that God is thus hewing and squaring him here, that as a well-prepared and living stone, he may by and by be built up into the living temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
"The preparing process may be severe; the strokes frequent and heavy; the hewing into shape — painful to the flesh; the polishing into beauty — rasping to the spirit; yet every blow aids to bring it into form; and every tool of iron, though it cuts deep — leaves behind some chiseled beauty; and every grating file of sorrow that rasps the sensitive fibers of the heart — only gives it a higher polish, and makes it reflect a brighter glory. And who will complain of such severe dealings — when such blissful ends are attained by it? Who will murmur at the roughness of a road — which leads to such eternal joys? Who will repine at any chastenings, and not rather esteem them as light afflictions which are but for a moment, when his Heavenly Father assures him that they shall work out for him a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory?"
Jesus also spoke of how being saved and converted begins with having Christ laid as the foundation.
"25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14: 25-33)
Here we see that becoming a disciple of Jesus begins with a decision to build a life for Christ by having him and his word be the foundation of it. Thus we say we are working on a building, or that we are running a marathon, or that we are waging war as good soldiers of Christ, etc.
Jesus also said:
"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matt. 7: 24-27 nkjv)
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6: 46-49 ESV)
These texts emphasize the need to build our lives and our characters on the right foundation and the right foundation is one that is on solid ground, and where the foundation goes deep into the soil or bedrock.
For these reasons I see the exhortation to be addressed not simply to pastors who teach new disciples about how to build a Christian life, character, family, etc., but to every new convert who has had Christ become the foundation and footing for who he/she is and for what each one will do in life. Every Christian is a builder and is a part of the building which is the assembly of saints.
Jesus condemned many leaders in the community who he also called "builders." In fact, he is called "the stone which the builders rejected." (See Matt. 21: 42; Mark 12: 10; Luke 20: 17; Acts 4: 11; I Peter 2: 7)
Each believer is involved in building up on top of Christ the foundation. All commentators think that the primary reference is to what I will call our "doctrinal house." What heresies (combustible materials) are part of our doctrinal or theological house? What is the framework of our house of religious beliefs? What correct doctrines (noncombustible materials) is our house made of?
What Day?
"The day will declare it," and the means of declaring or revealing the kind of materials that were used is stated to be "fire," the apostle saying "it shall be revealed by fire for the fire will test every person's work of what kind it is."
What day does Paul have in mind? Some commentators say it is the day of trial and persecution, that the terms “day” and “fire” refer to the refining process of persecution (cf. 1 Pet. 4:12).Though there is some truth in this view I do not doubt. However, I doubt that the fires of persecution always demonstrate what wrong views versus right views a martyr had in his doctrinal house.
Others think the day of Christ' return, the day of judgment, is referred to. I think that is likely. However, it very well could be that Paul has not a single day of testing in mind and therefore the day of trial and testing could be fulfilled in more than one way. I think that it is certainly in some sense fulfilled at the time a Christian departs this world in death. This has led some to suggest that by "the day" Paul simply means the same thing as when people say "time will tell." Consider the fact that it is eminently scriptural to say that no saint, when he or she dies, goes to heaven with wrong ideas and heresies. Death will burn up all the errors we have held and we will hold only correct views on what is taught in scripture. Notice this text along this line:
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. 14: 13 kjv)
The Greek words akoloutheo and meta translated above as "follow" means to "go with," or to "accompany."
Surely only the good works and correct views of scripture, the parts of the building made of gold, silver, and precious stones (non combustible materials), follow the Christian to Heaven. Therefore, it seems that there is a destruction of all that is false in the believer when he dies and when he enters heaven. He does not take his theological building to heaven and must wait till the judgment day to have his false beliefs removed. This all leads me to say that there is a fulfillment of the text in a believer's death. I do not deny that there is also an eschatological fulfillment, in "the day" when all is "revealed" and "tried" by "fire." But, more on that shortly. For now, let us consider whether the building of the structure on the foundation refers solely to building our doctrinal and biblical views, or whether it includes building our characters, building our lives, and doing good works other than bible study. Said Dr. John Piper (See here emphasis mine):
"I think that suggests that even though the main focus of 1 Corinthians 3 is not generally works of believers, but true and false teaching, it does imply that application. In other words, there’s an implication here that the lives of Christians in general are also instructed. Paul says, for example, in Ephesians 6:8, “Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord.” Everything, every good is going to get its reward. It isn’t just teachers who need to be vigilant over what they teach, but all Christians need to be vigilant over what they do, or what they do with what they are taught — whether they themselves build themselves up in their most holy faith with what they hear (Jude 20)."
I agree.
I must say that I have thought about my theological house, whether it has errors in it (symbolized by wood, hay, and stubble), or whether it is mostly constructed of noncombustible materials as gold, silver, and precious stones. I also have studied how much my character has been conformed to that of Christ, and how much the life I have lived (built) has been of inferior quality and which of superior craftsmanship. How do you appraise your building work?
In the next chapter we will finish our look at I Corinthians 3 text along with others dealing with rewards in the life we will live in eternity in the eternal kingdom.
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