VF: 13 The Reward of Visionary Faith II

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Chapter 13 **The Reward of Visionary Faith II**

Glorifying God on Earth, in Heaven, & for eternity

Table of Topics

A) Glorifying God Now before Humans

B) Glorifying God Now in Heaven

C) Being glorified for all eternity

Extras & Endnotes

Primary Points

When the vision faith for a homeless shelter, hospital, school, church plant or other endeavor to serve humankind is pursued in Jesus’ name, and accomplished by Jesus’ power, He and we are glorified.
There is a realm of unseen beings that surround our lives and they are watching us (1 Cor 4:9). This is confirmed in Job.
Our choices in this life either glorify God or the devil.
Everyone wants to glorify God with the kind of blessing Job experienced, rather than the kind of testing he endured.
How much will we love and trust God in this life? That is the most important question being answered in the Universe.
Glory is the most precious commodity in the Universe, and both God and the devil want it. Christians are the greatest source of glory for both in the Universe because only we really have free will over sin and can choose who we will love. There is no greater way to reveal the worth of someone—to glorify them—than to love them. Not even God can manipulate real love. And it is especially unconditional, sincere love for God that gets Heaven and Hell’s attention.
God wants to glorify us. This glory will be awarded at the judgment seat of Christ, and then enjoyed for all eternity.

The ultimate goal and reward for all biblical faith, including the visionary kind, is the glory of God. Indeed our central text regarding visionary faith reads:

Because of the return of Christ, we always pray that God will think you have lived up to His commanding invitation to experience your special privilege and responsibility as a Christian. We pray that through His power you will accomplish any passionate resolve to do good, and every action prompted your faith. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of you, and you will be honored along with Him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:11-12)

All the trust, sacrifice, and obedience involved in visionary faith glorifies God in many ways. When and where does this glory occur? In several realms: 1) before humans now on Earth, 2) in Heaven now, and 3) in Heaven later.

A) Glorifying God Now before Humans

Jesus spoke of such earthly glory through our good deeds when He said, “Shine your light for people to see so that they can see your good works and praise your Father in Heaven” (Matt 5:16). It is particularly when the world sees our empowering faith in biblical promises and commands in the midst of extreme difficulty and trial, that God is glorified. As discussed further elsewhere, this is precisely what the Apostle Peter is referring to when he writes:

[E]ven if you suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” Instead in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Pet 3:14-15)

The context here was that Christians were being persecuted for their faith, but exhibiting great courage and “hope” in the midst of it. Therefore, Peter anticipates unbelievers, even their persecutors, asking them how they can have such hope in the midst of such difficulties. The answer would not be intellectual arguments for the faith as so many interpret and apply this verse. ^[1] The answer would be: Because I’m a Christian! I have the Holy Spirit! I know God loves me!

Visionary faith, the accomplishment of human plans to obey God’s commands, certainly glorifies God on Earth. When the vision faith for a homeless shelter, hospital, school, church plant or other endeavor to serve humanity is pursued in Jesus’ name, and accomplished by Jesus’ power, He and we are glorified. And this has been the undeniable proof and history of Christianity in this world. Elsewhere we have recorded several encouraging testimonies of how the supernatural virtue of Christians, as they carried out a visionary faith for God, has greatly glorified God on Earth. ^[2]

B) Glorifying God Now in Heaven

Unfortunately, however, many Christians confine their understanding of glorifying God to the current earthly realm. While our supernatural faith and love have the potential to glorify God on Earth, it is a harsh reality that pagans are rarely paying attention. If God’s glory is confined to what mere unbelievers may grant Him, then it is limited indeed. In addition, we often cannot handle earthly glory very well, and it tempts us to pride. Thankfully, glorifying God and being glorified by God occurs more consistently, importantly, and gloriously elsewhere.

God and other beings in the spiritual realm are watching us now. The Apostle wrote the Corinthians:

I believe God has put us Apostles on display. Much like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade and condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe including Angels and people. (1 Cor 4:9) ^[3]

Paul believed his life, struggles, and ministry were being lived out on a theatrical stage with God, Angels, and humans watching. The “people” probably refer to those on Earth instead of in Heaven. ^[4] But both God and Angels (good and bad probably) are watching from the unseen spiritual realm. We are so unaware of our surroundings, thinking that the only things that exist and affect our lives are things we can see. But there is an entire realm of unseen beings that surround our lives and they are watching us.

This theology is confirmed in Job. Notice how much both God and satan know about him when we read:

One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan was with them. The Lord asked satan, “Where have you come from?”

satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the Earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed My servant Job? He is the finest man in all the Earth. He is blameless—a man of integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”

satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! (Job 1:6-10)

Both Heaven and Hell were watching Job’s life intently. What were they watching for? Love for, and faith in God. These are what our life is being evaluated on. Will we love God enough to be holy, and will we trust Him through all the difficulties thrown our way. The trials of life are simply stage props designed by God to test us, not hurt us, so that our faith and love are on display for Him, the Angels, and the demons.

Why? Because our choices in this life either glorify God or the devil. When we love and exercise faith in a God we cannot see, we give glory to God. When we sin, when we fear, when we give up, we glorify the devil. Notice how God boasts about Job to the devil:

Then the Lord asked satan, “Have you noticed My servant Job? He is the finest man in all the Earth. He is blameless—a man of integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” (v. 8)

Job’s fear, faith, and love for God glorified Him, even giving God an opportunity to boast to His enemy.

Then came the dare. Here is the part that makes this passage one of the most fascinating in all of human literature, let alone Scripture: satan dares God about Job’s faith and love:

satan replied to the Lord, “Job has good reason to fear [and trust and love] God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (vs. 9-11)

What is satan’s claim: “Job does not really love God, but really only loves God’s blessings. Take it away and you’ll see how much faith and love Job really has for you.” Unfortunately, the devil had a great deal of evidence for his claim. Throughout human history he had observed this very thing repeatedly with very few exceptions. Everyone’s love for and faith in God is conditional. Everyone wants to glorify God with the kind of blessing Job experienced, rather than the kind of testing he endured.

It is at this point in the biblical narrative that we might think God would simply brush off the devil’s dare. What does He care about what satan thinks. God knew Job loved Him. But God wanted the devil to know too. God wanted to embarrass the devil. God wanted to show the Angels and demons that Job really did worship Him out of His own choosing, and not just because of the blessings. And it would be Job’s unconditional love, even love in the midst of God taking everything from him, that would make the devil’s and demons’ jaws drop in awe- because no one loves them like that. No one glorifies them like that. They are not worth that much to anyone. Only God deserves to be loved and worshipped even when He is withholding good from you.

So, we read: “The Lord said to satan, ‘All right, you may test him’” (v. 12). This revelation is not given just so we know what happened to a man named Job thousands of years ago. It is revealed to us so that we know the same thing is happening to us. “You may test him or her” is no doubt something God has said about us. He wants to give us the opportunity to prove our faith and love for God and glorify Him before the Angels and demons who watch us.

How much will we love God in this life? That is the most important question being answered in the Universe today. This is the reason God started the whole thing. To see, to reveal, what people given real free will would do. How much would they love God back even if God allowed life to be hard sometimes?

Well, we know Job passed his test. After being informed of all he had lost we read:

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I was naked when I was born, and I will be naked when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had, and the Lord has taken it all away. Praise the name of the Lord!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. (vs. 20-22)

What do you think Heaven & Hell thought of that? This was the Superbowl, Olympics, and World Cup in the heavenly realms of glorifying God. Everyone was watching this one. Has any man been tested like this? And Job worshipped and He said “Praise the name of the Lord!”

The same theology is illustrated in the life of Daniel. Three times the Angel Gabriel appears to him and addresses him with: “you are highly esteemed,” “you who are highly esteemed,” and “You are a man highly esteemed” (Dan 9:23, 10:11, 19). Who was Daniel so highly esteemed by? God. This was the very reason that Gabriel said he had come to speak to Daniel (cf. 9:23). Daniel was famous in Heaven because of the faith and love for God that he exercised throughout his life while living in captivity.

We see something similar when Luke relates:

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were possessed by demons. They would say to the demons, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:13-15)

In other words, it would appear that Paul was famous among demons as well.

Men like Job, Daniel, and Paul earned the esteem of God, the awe of Angels, and the fear of demons because they lived a life of love and faith.

What is the most precious commodity in the Universe? It is glory, and both God and the devil want it. And Christians are the greatest source of glory for both in the Universe because only we really have free will over sin and only we can really choose who we will love. There is no greater way to reveal the worth of someone—to glorify them—than to love them. Not even God can manipulate real love. And it is especially unconditional, sincere love for God that gets Heaven and Hell’s attention.

This is the most important reason to love God- to increase the amount of glory that God gets, particularly in Heaven and Hell. All of this is why our choices are so critical. Why our faith is so critical. Along these lines, Andy Stanley has written:

Pursuing a divine vision is really an act of worship. It is a declaration of our confidence in God. It is a proclamation of how important we believe his agenda to be. And God is honored. . . .

Pursuing a vision requires faith. Pursuing a great vision requires great faith. Pursuing a vision will test, stretch, and at times exhaust your faith. And while you are pulling your hair out down here, God revels in the glory he receives. While we wait and wait and wait, and trust and trust and trust, he basks in the glory reflected back to him by his faithful servants.

He glories in our willingness to take him at his word. He delights in our perseverance in the face of debilitating odds. Our faith and ensuing faithfulness bring him immense honor. ^[5]

C) Being Glorified For All Eternity

God wants to share His glory. He not only wants to be glorified, but He wants to glorify us. This glory will be awarded at the judgment seat of Christ, and then enjoyed for all eternity. Accordingly, the Apostle writes that the evaluation of deeds for God will occur when “the Lord comes” and “at that time each will receive their praise [glory] from God” (1 Cor 4:5). Likewise, Paul indicates that the glory awarded at the Great White Throne (cf. Rev 20:11; Matt 25:31-33) will continue for eternity when he says: “Our light and temporary troubles are producing for us a weight of glory that is far beyond comparison and will last forever” (2 Cor 4:17).

Likewise he writes: “I have concluded that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18).

It really matters what we do for God in this life on this Earth. It will matter for all eternity. Thus, the Apostle gives us this sobering warning:

Anyone who builds their life on the foundation of Jesus Christ can use a variety of materials like gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the Day of evaluation, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through the flames. (1 Cor 3:12-15)

Likewise, we are reminded of Paul’s words to even first century slaves:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you are working for the Lord, not for people. Do this because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. The Master you are serving is Christ. (Col 3:23-24)

The Lord is watching our hard work. He is watching us trying to fulfill His Great Commission. And ultimately, we are working for Him, not people. We seek first His pleasure, not some positive response from people. Our work is always worth it because we are doing it for our Sin-bearer and King. And He will reward us.

In fact, if you study the biblical descriptions of what happens when we are first gathered before the throne of Christ, you will notice that it would seem Christ is interested in only one thing: What did we do for Him? We might expect a celebration of His victory or our salvation, or a worship service, or instructions regarding what eternal life in the New World will be like. But none of these are described as occurring when we meet at Christ’s throne. As John saw it: “The dead were evaluated according to what they had done as recorded in the books . . . each person was evaluated according to what they had done” (Rev 20:12-13). And that’s about it.

There will be rewards, praise, and glory for the faith we exercised in God’s commands and promises like Job. Likewise, “any passionate resolve to do good, and every action prompted your [visionary] faith” (2 Thess 1:12) will be about the most important thing on your most important Day. What were you willing to plan and pursue in this life for the advancement of God’s Kingdom and glory? What did your visionary faith include? What did you try for God, even though you did not know if it would bear the fruit you desired? In light of eternity, these are among the most important questions the Christian can ask- and hopefully answer.

It would seem Pastors will have a special evaluation and glory. Scripture indicates that we will stand before Christ with those entrusted to our spiritual care. The Apostle wrote: “We know that God Who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us to be with Jesus. And God will present us to Himself together” (2 Cor 4:14).

Do we know that? Do we know that at least part of our divine evaluation will be together with those we led? Will we be able to “boast of [them] on the Day of the Lord Jesus” (2 Cor 1:14) as Paul hoped for the Corinthian church? This was one of Paul’s burdens for the Corinthians—that they would have something to show for their life and he took a great deal of responsibility upon himself for helping them to do so (cf. 1 Cor 3:1-18).

Notice what the Apostle told the Philippians and why:

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live innocent and blameless lives as children of God so you shine like stars in the universe among a crooked and perverted generation. Hold firmly to the word of life so that on the day of Christ’s return, I can boast that I did not run or work for nothing. (Phil 2:14-16)

Can we say to our church what Paul said to the Thessalonians?:

Who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? It is you in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes. This is because you are our glory and joy. (1 Thess 2:19-20)

And evidently, that “glory and joy” will be for eternity.

In our individualistic culture, we only think of meeting Christ and being evaluated by Him as an individual, alone with Him. That will certainly be the case: “At that time each will receive their praise from God” (1 Cor 4:5). But we will also be evaluated together. What kind of church were we? How well did we work together, and how much did we accomplish?

Part of our God-given job description is to do what we can to make that Day as glorious as possible for our people. We can help them receive more praise at the judgement seat of Christ and enjoy more eternal rewards in the New World forever and ever.

Extras & Endnotes

A Devotion to Dad

Our Father in Heaven, what greater purpose could we have than glorifying you on Earth, and in Heaven. Thank you for the opportunity we have to do this in our life. Help us to make the most of it!

Gauging Your Grasp

What are the three realms in which glory occurs?
How does our faith glorify God?
What is our interpretation and application of 1 Corinthians 4:9? What other biblical texts do we use to support this view? How does this concept affect our life?
What do you think our reward of glory will look and feel like in the New World?

Publications & Particulars

Regarding the popular misinterpretation and application of 1 Peter 3:15 see section 5.4.B.2. ↑
Regarding the history of supernatural virtue in Christianity see chapters 5.9, 5.16, and 5.18. ↑
“Much like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade and condemned to die in the arena.” See NLT which reflects the cultural background Paul was alluding to. “Universe” trans. kosmō which can mean “world, universe” (BAGD #3).

Albert Barnes writes of Paul’s use of theatron “spectacle” in 1 Corinthians 4:9:

The theater, or amphitheater of the ancients was composed of an arena, or level floor, on which the combatants fought, and which was surrounded by circular seats rising above one another to a great height, and capable of containing many thousands of spectators.

Paul represents himself as on this arena or stage, contending with foes, and destined to death. Around him and above him are an immense host of human beings and angels, looking on at the conflict, and awaiting the issue. He is not alone or unobserved. He is made public; and the universe gazes on the struggle. Angels and human beings denote the universe, as gazing upon the conflicts and struggles of the apostles.

It is a vain inquiry here, whether he means good or bad angels. The expression means that he was public in his trials, and that this was exhibited to the universe. The whole verse is designed to convey the idea that God had, for wise purposes, appointed them in the sight of the universe, to pains, and trials, and persecutions, and poverty, and want, which would terminate only in their death. (Barne’s Notes on the NT; available online at http://www.ccel.org.

Regrettably, most other commentators, while confirming Barnes’ interpretation, do not comment much on this amazing statement in 1 Corinthians 4:9. ↑
It is a very popular belief that deceased Christians are watching us from Heaven as well. In our opinion, there is not enough clear biblical support to be dogmatic about that, including Hebrews 12:1.

Likewise, in 1 Cor 4:9, Paul says he is being watched by the whole cosmos including Earth, not just Heaven. The “Angels” are certainly watching from Heaven, which leaves the “men” to be watching from Earth. Accordingly, in the next verses he speaks of being “dishonored . . . brutally treated . . . cursed . . . persecuted . . . slandered” and “the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world” (vs. 10-13) all before humans on Earth. ↑
Andy Stanley, Visioneering (Multnomah, 1999), 63, 65. ↑