Topical Bible: Joy: Shall be the Final Reward of Saints at the Judgment Day

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In the Christian eschatological framework, joy is often depicted as the ultimate reward for the saints at the Judgment Day. This joy is not merely an emotional state but a profound, eternal experience of fulfillment and communion with God. The Bible provides numerous references that highlight the joy awaiting believers who have persevered in faith and righteousness.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of joy as a reward is deeply rooted in Scripture. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks of the final judgment and the joy that awaits the faithful. In the Parable of the Talents, the master says to the faithful servant, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). This passage illustrates the joy that comes from being in the presence of the Lord and sharing in His happiness.

The Book of Revelation also provides a vivid depiction of the joy that will be experienced by the saints. Revelation 21:4 describes a time when "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This absence of sorrow and the presence of God signify the ultimate joy and peace that believers will experience.

Theological Significance

Theologically, joy is seen as both a present reality and a future promise. While Christians are called to experience joy in their current lives through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), the fullness of joy is reserved for the eschaton—the end times when God's kingdom is fully realized. This future joy is a result of the complete restoration and redemption of creation, where believers will dwell in the presence of God eternally.

The joy of the saints is also linked to the concept of eternal life. In John 16:22, Jesus assures His disciples, "So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy" . This promise of unending joy is a cornerstone of Christian hope, emphasizing the eternal nature of the reward that awaits the faithful.

Practical Implications

For believers, the anticipation of this future joy serves as a source of strength and encouragement in the face of trials and tribulations. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 8:18, writes, "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us" . This perspective encourages Christians to endure hardships with the assurance that their faithfulness will be rewarded with everlasting joy.

Moreover, the promise of joy at the Judgment Day motivates believers to live lives that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God. It inspires a commitment to holiness, service, and love, knowing that these efforts contribute to the eternal joy that awaits.

Conclusion

The joy that shall be the final reward of the saints at the Judgment Day is a central theme in Christian eschatology. It is a joy that transcends human understanding, rooted in the eternal presence of God and the fulfillment of His promises. This joy is both a present reality through the Holy Spirit and a future hope that sustains believers as they await the consummation of God's kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 25:21
His lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Souls are Conveyed to Heaven or Hell Immediately after ...
... Yet a little while and the wicked shall not be ... heaven and hell, since also after
the final resurrection the ... joy of each one being increased by the common joy. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether souls are conveyed to.htm

Twenty Sixth Sunday after Trinity God's Judgment when Christ ...
... life unlike this and a final judgment of God in ... from sufferings, may have eternal
rest and joy. ... as God's righteousness requires, the saints shall receive for ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty sixth sunday after trinity.htm

Conclusion of Our Lord's Discourse. Parables of virgins and ...
... it is analogous to the present commingling and final separation of men ... God prepared
a kingdom of joy and designed that man ... Acts 9:4.] 46 And these shall go away ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxv conclusion of our lords.htm

Visions of Future Glory
... day of wrath to the enemies of God is the day of final deliverance to ... will sing together,
and the sons of God will shout for joy, while God ... "There shall be no ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 60 visions of future.htm

On the Last Judgment and the Resurrection, Hell, Purgatory, and ...
... be dead and judged and sent to their final abodes. ... and thus our whole life in
Heaven"our joy and happiness ... loss of his own soul, or what exchange shall a man ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 37 on the last.htm

The Doctrine of the Last Things.
... THE BELIEVER SHALL RECEIVE HIS FINAL REWARD IN THE ... faithful over a few things, I
will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the last.htm

Grundtvig's Hymns
... Of where we soon shall meet again. And all Thy joy betide me. ... We with Christ as our
defender. Shall engage and put to flight. ... That through its final strife. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter fifteen grundtvigs hymns.htm

Coming Judgment of the Secrets of Men
... To me it is glad tidings of great joy: I hail it ... God himself shall judge, but he
shall perform the judgment in the ... the Son of God chosen to be the final Judge? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/coming judgment of the secrets.htm

The Last Judgment. By the Rev. John Welch, AD 1570-1622.
... see with terror or with joy, either to ... parliament,) six thousand years' generations
shall all stand there, waiting to receive an eternal and final judgment. ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the last judgment by the.htm

In the Holy of Holies.
... developed,"one class who looked with joy to the ... carried down through the Saviour's
final ministration, to ... great work for man's salvation shall be completed. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm