A Discussion about Inheritance

What is everyone's take on Inheritance in Heaven vs. Salvation in Heaven?

Paul seems to make a distiction between the two in 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."

What is this "reward" and "loss" that is being referred to here?

I have a few thoughts about it, and I'm curious about what others think.

I'm curious to know what your thoughts on this.

The rewards and loss does not pertain to salvation but pertains to the crowns (rewards) that you may receive in heaven. The loss pertains to the crown or crowns you may have received but were loss due to neglect or omission or other negative reasons in the works you had the opportunity to do but failed to act.

This is what I think:

We were originally made to be stewards of Earth, a sort of slave. We were separated from the Master who created us. He chose a man to birth His people, who would return to Him to help rule the nations. They forsook Him over and over. Then extended His offer to non-Israelites. There will be a disaster as there have been many. After the next one the evil one will try to “steal the world”. The rightful owner (Jehovah) put His Son in power (Christ). He will return with His bride. We will slay the treacherous ones and share the inheritance of Christ. We will receive a plot of land to govern. He gives His followers new bodies (vessels) that don’t age like the ones we have now. At the end of that age when disaster falls again, Earth will be completely destroyed.Then there will be the great White throne judgement followed by a new Earth.

Those who lived for Christ sacrificially, who obeyed will rule with property. Those who believed will be spared but they will be the commoners, no inheritance.

According to Ephesians 1:13-14, the sealing of the "Holy Spirit of promise" is the "earnest" (guaranty) of our inheritance.

Ephesians 1:13-14 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, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.


The word "earnest" in vs. 14 is the Greek word arrabón which means


The word arrabón is used in Eph 1:14 and also in 2 Cor 1:22 and 2 Cor 5:5:

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the arrabón of the Spirit in our hearts.


2 Corinthians 5:1-5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the arrabón of the Spirit.


I do not believe the inheritance is the same as the crowns. The crowns are in addition to our inheritance. And I believe when all is said and done, we will cast our crowns before the throne:

Revelation 4:10-11 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

My thoughts are very similar to yours, tourist.
I am going to tell a story of my train of thought to better explain what my views are on this, so bear with me here:
We see clearly through multiple points in the Bible that calling upon the Lord and confessing Jesus Christ will securely save you.

Romans 10:9 is a good example of this:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

This is what saves you, not works. We see this clearly elaborated in Galatians 2:16:
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. “

If we isolate these verses alone, we can assume that only faith is required to live a wholesome Christian life.

And yet, there are few questions that immediately come into mind concerning this:

If this is true, then why at the Jerusalem Council did they tell the Gentiles that certain things were to be abstained from (idols, blood, things strangled, and fornication) for them to “do well”? If they confess Christ, then commit any of those actions and do not repent, what happens?

If this is true, then why in the same epistle of Galatians do we have a long explanation about the “works of the flesh” and that those who commit these actions will not “inherit the Kingdom of God”?

If this is true, then why did Christ write epistles to the Seven Churches in the first place? What should they be concerned if the vast majority of them are believers? We see with the church of Pergamos specifically that Jesus praises them for not denying Him or the faith, and yet He has some harsh complaints and warnings for them.

If this is true, then why did James say, “faith without works is dead”?

All of these questions and others became a very serious enigma for me as a Christian. I deeply wanted to follow the Fruits of the Spirit and the great commandments, and I was very disheartened by the whole “faith alone” principle. It was honestly really confusing and frustrating when I compared it to the rest of the Bible at first, and I was tired of Christians using faith alone arguments as an excuse to get out of doing anything to please God and berate people who wanted to follow what God actually commanded the people to do.

But then years later I was listening to a particular Bible teacher, and He explained everything in a way that made a lot of sense, which is that not everyone will be equal when we get Heaven. Some will have an inheritance, and some will suffer loss, which I think is what Jesus warned about multiple times in some of His parables such as The Parable of Talents, The Parable of the Ten Virgins, and The Parable of the Great Banquet. In all of these parables, they are dealing with people who know God and claim be his servants. This is also what Paul and the others were warning about.

He also brought the 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 portion to mind, and explained it in this way:

The “foundation” being spoken of is Christ, therefore everyone whose works are being tried here are already under Justification.

Those whose works are wood, hay, and stubble are the works of the flesh and what Jesus calls corrupt fruit. Although their works are burned, they enter heaven, but they will suffer great disappointment.

Those whose works are gold, silver, and precious stones are the good fruits of the Spirit, and the faithful carrying out of the will of the Father. They will then receive various crowns and rewards depending on the good works done. Jesus does warn however that one shouldn’t expect to get more rewards than another person because of their supposed volume of good works in their own eyes. God alone decides Himself how much someone should receive, not man. I believe that is what the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard is referring to.

God gives very clear instructions in the entire Bible about what works are considered unfaithful and worthless according to Him, and what is good and pleasing to Him. Notice every time God mentions something man does that He likes both in the Old and the New Testament, it is always a matter of the heart and what God thinks, and not the matter of outward works and what man thinks. I believe that’s why Jesus sums up all of the commandments with these two things: loving God foremost above everything else, and loving our neighbor.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” – Matthew 22:37-40

And how does one love God? Jesus says:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15

I appreciated everyone thoughts, and I am open for any input or corrections on what I had said.

Jesus said some would be called “great” in Heaven and some would be called the “least “. That would seem to imply some sort of system whereby one will reap what they have sown.

Salvation is eternally secure while one's inheritance can be grown and or burned depending on lifestyle, service and how one walks after salvation!

The reward is the people you successfully brought to the Lord in your labor in the field and building of God.
The loss is the people you unsuccessfully brought to the Lord in your labor in the field and building of God.

Heir:
OT with a couple of exceptions (1 Kgs 1:13, Gen 25:23, 1 Chron 5:1) The firstborn son/chief heir (only to legitimate wives not concubines) held the birthright & a larger portion than other brother received (Deut 21:17, Gen 21:10).

A daughter could only became heir if she had no brothers & married within their own tribe (Num 27:8; 36:6).

NT Christ as God’s firstborn Son (Heb 1:6) Jesus birthright makes Him heir of all the Father has (Heb 1:2). Christ's inheritance includes all believers which the Father gave Him (John 6:37).

Believers are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Believers are treated as firstborn heirs thru Christ (Heb 12:23). Our inheritance includes , but's not limited to, the following:

Salvation, Eternal Life & a measure of the Throne of Christ

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
(NOTE: One part of a believers inheritance if salvation = Deliverance from our sins & thier consequence = death)

Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
(NOTE: A believers inheritance is incorruptible & never fades away = eternal)

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
(NOTE: Every believer receives a seat in the Throne room/House of Christ)

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,
(NOTE: Christ seals/baptizes every believer with His Holy Spirit)

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
(NOTE: Earnest = deposit. When this verse is written, everyone understood its implication. People/slaves were bought at the market. Often an earnest/down payment was placed. The slaved remained behind until the buyer came back to finallize the deal & redeem/take physical possion of the slave. Christ bought us 1 Cor 6:20, 7:23 2 Pet 2:1. He places/seals us with His Holy Spirit =the earnest/down payment until the day He returns & takes full possion of us.

Amplified Bible
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].

REWARDS
Colossians 1:10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(NOTE: When you stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10) Every good work you did in Christ's name, will receive a reward)

1 Corinthians 3:
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
(NOTE: Rewards are given based on work done in Christ's name)

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10 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.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
(NOTE: Gold & silver = Good works done in Christ's name. Hay, wood & stubble = no works, selfish works, even bad works)

13 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.
(NOTE: Every work good & bad will be tested)

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
(NOTE: Good works done in Christ's name will receive a reward)

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
(NOTE: Hay, wood & stubble deeds will burn-up bringing, shame & loss = """OF REWARDS""" not SALVATION)
Rereading verse 15: He "Will SUFFER LOSS", though he "HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED"

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

James 1:12 - Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him

Matthew 16:27 - For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Matthew 10:
41 Jesus said; He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward

42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
(NOTE: Even a drink of water given in Christ's name will receive a reward)

The believers works will be tested ""NOT THIER SALVATION" The believers salvation foundation is belief the finished (REDEMPTIVE) work of Jesus Christ. Unworthy deeds/works: Hay, wood & stubble will be burned up. Also, earned rewards can be lost, but, the believers soul still be saved. God will not cast off a believing soul for any failure of sin. All your sins were PAID FOR IN FULL on the cross!

Again, he shall suffer loss, shall fail in obtaining a reward. NOT in obtaining salvation!

I will be merciful toward their iniquities, & "I will remember their sins no more” (HEB 8:12)

A special soul winning """crown of rejoicing""" will be waiting for many:

John 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
(NOTE: The soul gather's fruit = souls. Will receive a "Crown" for leading others to life eternal's path)

1 Thess 2:
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or """crown of rejoicing"""? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
(NOTE: He that converts/leads the sinner to God thru Christ. Save's a soul from death & will receive an incorruptible Crown as reward)