Heaven is the secure inheritance, of priceless value, awaiting the redeemed. There, faithful service will be rewarded and the redeemed will be given resurrection bodies for service in the heavenly realm.
Believers inherit the kingdom of heaven
Their inheritance is secure
Matthew 25:34 See also Luke 12:32, Luke 22:28–29; James 2:5
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
The value of their inheritance is beyond human calculation
1 Corinthians 2:9–10 See also Acts 20:32; Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 2:6–7
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
As those adopted into God's family they are heirs of God and Christ
Romans 8:17 See also Galatians 4:7; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 6:17
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
The nature of the heavenly inheritance
It is inviolable
1 Peter 1:3–5 See also Revelation 21:25, Revelation 21:27
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
It is a response to faith and love
James 2:5 See also Colossians 1:12, Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 11:7
Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
It is for overcomers
Revelation 21:7 See also 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:3–5; Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26–28, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21
The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.
The heavenly treasure is to be sought
Matthew 6:19–21 See also Matthew 13:44, Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:33; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Philippians 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:18–19; Revelation 3:18
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Heavenly rewards
Service will be rewarded in heaven
1 Corinthians 3:11–14 See also Matthew 5:12 parallel Luke 6:23; Revelation 22:12
For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
The prospect of heavenly rewards should be a spur to present service
Philippians 3:14 See also Hebrews 11:26
I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
Rewards will vary
Matthew 16:27 See also Daniel 12:3; Matthew 25:20–23 parallel Luke 19:15–19; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 Corinthians 9:6; Revelation 22:12
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
Endurance for Jesus Christ's sake will be specially rewarded
Matthew 5:10–12 parallel Luke 6:22–23
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Rewards for service include crowns signifying position and authority
1 Peter 5:4 See also 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:8
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
The redeemed will share Jesus Christ's position in glory
Ephesians 2:6 See also John 14:3, John 17:24; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:4
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
The resurrection body as a heavenly inheritance
Philippians 3:20–21 See also 1 Corinthians 15:42–44; 2 Corinthians 5:1–4
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.