The Judgment Seat of Christ, the Fellowship of the Mystery, and Eternal Rewards

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1. Salvation Is the Same for All in the Body

Before anything else is discussed, we must be clear: salvation in this dispensation is the same for everyone who believes the gospel Paul preached.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 – “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

When a person trusts this message — that Christ’s finished work on the cross is enough, and that His blood was shed for their sins — they are saved, sealed, and secure.

Ephesians 1:13 – “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”

There is no “second-class” citizen in the Body of Christ in terms of salvation. The Baptist who has never heard of the mystery but believes the gospel is just as much in Christ as the most studied Mid-Acts Pauline believer.

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2. The Judgment Seat of Christ Is About Reward, Not Salvation

Every member of the Body will stand before Christ after the catching away to have their work examined.

Romans 14:10 – “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

This judgment is not to decide eternal destiny. It is for reward or loss of reward based on service, faithfulness, and adherence to the doctrine given to us.

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3. The Standard Is Paul’s Doctrine

The measure for our reward is not how sincere we were, but how faithful we were to the doctrine given to us by the risen Christ through Paul.

Romans 2:16 – “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 – “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

The foundation is Christ as revealed to Paul in the mystery program. How we “build” on that foundation is judged. Works built from denominational tradition, law-keeping, or prophecy teaching not meant for today will not stand in that day.

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4. The Fire Will Test Every Work

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 – “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

• Gold, silver, precious stones – Works done according to Pauline truth, by the Spirit, in sound doctrine.

• Wood, hay, stubble – Works done outside of the mystery program, in error, or in the flesh, no matter how “religious” they seemed.

The Baptist who preaches the kingdom gospel to the lost is still saved if he trusted the right gospel himself, but that ministry labor will burn because it was not according to the dispensation of the grace of God.

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5. Greater Truth Means Greater Accountability

Knowing the mystery and the fellowship of the mystery places you in the category of a steward who has been entrusted with the most important doctrine for this age.

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 – “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

If you understand right division, you have more light than the average believer — and more light means more accountability.

Luke 12:48 – “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”

Failing to labor in the truth you know will mean greater loss of reward compared to someone who never understood it.

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6. Crowns, Reigning, and Position in Eternity

Paul speaks of several crowns and rewards for the faithful:

• Crown of righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8 – for loving Christ’s appearing (looking for His return, not His kingdom).

• Incorruptible crown – 1 Corinthians 9:25 – for striving lawfully in the ministry.

• Crown of rejoicing – 1 Thessalonians 2:19 – for those whose ministry brought others into the truth.

2 Timothy 2:12 – “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” This “denying” is not loss of salvation, but loss of reigning privilege.

Not all in the Body will have the same role. We will all be in glory, all will be with Christ, but positions of rule and levels of reward will differ based on our faithfulness in the truth.

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7. The Complete Reward Catalog from Paul’s Epistles

Below is every specific eternal reward Paul mentions, with its connection to rightly dividing and the fellowship of the mystery.

1. The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8

• Given to those who “love His appearing.” This means living in expectation of the catching away, not looking for the signs of the kingdom or Israel’s prophetic program. Loving His appearing is tied to understanding Paul’s message about our blessed hope (Titus 2:13).

2. The Incorruptible Crown – 1 Corinthians 9:25

• Reward for those who discipline themselves spiritually and “strive lawfully” according to the dispensation given to Paul (2 Timothy 2:5). A believer who mixes law and grace is not striving lawfully and risks losing this crown.

3. The Crown of Rejoicing – 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20

• Often called the “soul-winner’s crown,” but in context, it is joy over those who are established in Paul’s gospel and walking in it. This is fruit that remains because it is grounded in the mystery, not in works-based teaching.

4. The Reward of the Inheritance – Colossians 3:23–24

• Not the inheritance of salvation (which is by grace), but a reward in addition to it, for faithfully serving the Lord Christ in the truth He gave for today.

5. Reigning with Christ – 2 Timothy 2:12

• Faithful laborers who endure sound doctrine and suffer for it will “reign with Him.” This is positional authority in eternity, tied to service in the truth of the mystery.

6. Commendation from Christ – 1 Corinthians 4:5

• The Lord will “praise” those whose motives and works were pure and aligned with His revealed will for this dispensation. This is personal approval from Christ, the highest honor a believer can receive.

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8. Why This Matters Now

For believers who know the fellowship of the mystery, life now is training for eternity. The work we do in this dispensation affects how we serve Christ forever.

Colossians 3:23–24 – “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

If you labor in Pauline truth, holding fast the form of sound words, you build with gold, silver, and precious stones. If you compromise that truth or mix it with other gospels, you risk building with wood, hay, and stubble — and losing reward.

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9. Conclusion

• All believers in this dispensation are saved the same way: by grace through faith in Christ’s finished work.

• The Judgment Seat of Christ will reveal the quality of each believer’s work according to the doctrine given to Paul.

• Greater understanding of the mystery brings greater responsibility and potential reward.

• Paul lists crowns, inheritance, reigning, and commendation as specific rewards for the faithful.

• We should labor as stewards who will give an account, striving lawfully according to the gospel of the grace of God.

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10. Closing Application: Comparing Two Believers

To make this truth practical, let’s consider two real-life situations.

Both men are saved, sealed, and members of the Body of Christ. Both trusted the gospel of the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Neither can lose their salvation. Yet their eternal rewards will be very different.

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Believer #1 – The Saved Baptist Pastor

• Background: This man truly believed Christ died for his sins and rose again, trusting in His blood alone. However, in his ministry he preached from Matthew, Acts 2, and Hebrews as if they were written to the Body today. He often told his congregation they were “spiritual Israel” and taught them to keep commandments from Israel’s program. He used verses about enduring to the end, baptism for salvation, and kingdom promises, mixing law and grace.

• Judgment Seat Outcome: His salvation is secure because he trusted the right gospel, but much of his life’s ministry will be wood, hay, and stubble. It will be burned at the Judgment Seat of Christ because it was not built on the foundation of Paul’s doctrine. He will suffer loss of reward — loss of crowns, loss of reigning responsibility, loss of commendation for labor in the truth — yet he will still be in glory with Christ forever (1 Corinthians 3:15).

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Believer #2 – The Faithful Mid-Acts Steward

• Background: This man also believed the gospel of grace and was saved. But he studied to show himself approved (2 Timothy 2:15) and learned the fellowship of the mystery (Ephesians 3:9). He labored to make all men see it, teaching others to rightly divide the word of truth. He endured criticism and rejection for standing firm on Paul’s gospel and the doctrine given for today. His ministry was grounded in gold, silver, and precious stones.

• Judgment Seat Outcome: His work abides the fire and is rewarded. He receives the crown of righteousness for loving Christ’s appearing, the incorruptible crown for striving lawfully, and the crown of rejoicing for saints established in Pauline truth. He receives the reward of the inheritance and is given authority to reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12). His labor is commended by the Lord Himself (1 Corinthians 4:5).

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Key Takeaway

The difference is not in salvation — both men are saved forever. The difference is in eternal reward and responsibility. Knowing and faithfully laboring in the mystery affects your place in eternity. Those who understand it are more accountable (Luke 12:48) and have a greater opportunity for reward, but also a greater possibility for loss if they neglect it.

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Final Challenge from Paul

1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

2 Timothy 1:13–14 – “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”

Every believer in the Body will stand before Christ. What you do with the fellowship of the mystery will matter for eternity.