Connect Isaiah 40:10 with Revelation 22:12 regarding God's reward and recompense. The Seamless Thread of Promise • Isaiah 40:10: “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with power… His reward is with Him…” • Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me…” From the prophets to the Apocalypse, the same voice announces the same certainty: God arrives personally, bearing the very recompense He has promised. Shared Vocabulary, Shared Certainty • “Reward” and “recompense” appear in both passages, signaling identical intent. • In both texts, the reward is “with” the Lord—not delegated, but carried by Him. • The coming is active and imminent: “comes with power” (Isaiah) and “I am coming soon” (Revelation). Old Testament Foundation Isaiah pictures the LORD as a victorious Shepherd-King: 1. He “comes with power” (cf. Psalm 96:13). 2. His “arm” rules—personal authority, not proxy. 3. Reward and recompense are inseparable from His presence (compare Genesis 15:1). New Testament Fulfillment Revelation places the same promise on Jesus’ lips: 1. The Speaker is the Alpha and Omega (22:13), equating Jesus with the LORD of Isaiah. 2. The reward is individualized—“to repay each one according to what he has done” (echoing Matthew 16:27). 3. The timing is urgent: “soon,” urging watchfulness (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6). What the Reward Encompasses • Eternal life for the faithful (John 10:28). • Righteous judgment for every deed, good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Kingdom responsibilities and crowns (1 Peter 5:4; 2 Timothy 4:8). • Vindication of God’s glory—His justice publicly displayed (Romans 2:6-7). Practical Takeaways • Assurance: The same God who promised in Isaiah guarantees fulfillment in Revelation. • Accountability: Every choice matters; hidden faithfulness will be openly honored (1 Corinthians 3:14). • Perseverance: Because reward is “with Him,” endurance is never wasted (Hebrews 10:35-36). • Hope: His coming is both certain and personal—He brings reward, but more importantly, Himself. |
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