Rewards after death (for the righteous in heaven)

Summary:

It is written in Hebrews about "eternal judgment" (Hebrews 6:2). One understanding of it can be that it refers to an eternal verdict of judgment that can happen after someone dies, as such person would end up standing before the throne in heaven. There, the person would need to give an account for the works that they did on earth, whether good or evil, and be given rewards as a result. 

The righteous individuals would end up in the kingdom of the heavens and are described as being given various rewards. 

However there is also evidence that some rewards can vary from one individual to another depending on what they did on earth.

You can find below evidences for that. 

1) Someone can be given rewards after death after a judgment:

It is written in Hebrews about "eternal judgment" (Hebrews 6:2). 

One understanding of it can be that it refers to an eternal verdict of judgment that can happen after someone dies, as such person would end up standing before the throne in heaven. 

There, the person would need to give an account for the works that they did on earth, whether good or evil, and be given rewards as a result.

For more information:

Eternal judgment (what can it be?)
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2) A) Rewards given on earth (in this life):

The Bible describes that some people will be ONLY REWARDED ON EARTH if they do good things but with the wrong intents. 

Rewards on earth:

For example, some things can lead people to be REWARDED ON EARTH (which is NOT what should be done), as Jesus said: "take-heed not to-do your righteousness in-front-of people so-as to-be-seen (by) them. Otherwise indeed, YOU-DO NOT HAVE (A) REWARD WITH YOUR FATHER IN THE HEAVENS. “So whenever you-do almsgiving, do not trumpet (it) before you as-indeed the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the lanes so-that they-may-be-glorified by people. Truly I-say (to) you, THEY-ARE-RECEIVING THEIR REWARD IN FULL" (Matthew 6:1-2). 

2) B) Rewards given in heaven (after death):

In contrast to rewards only given on earth, people who do good things on earth with the right intent will be given a reward in heaven. And this will happen only AFTER THEIR DEATH. 

For example, Jesus said to a specific church: "the devil is-going to-throw (some) of you into prison so-that you-may-be-tested. And you-will-have affliction (for) ten days. BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH, AND I-WILL-GIVE YOU THE CROWN (OF) LIFE" (Revelation 2:10). This reward, the crown of life, would be given AFTER THEIR DEATH.  

Another example, just before dying Paul wrote: "I-have-finished the course. I-have-kept the faith. Henceforth, THE CROWN (OF) RIGHTEOUSNESS is-reserved (for) me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, WILL-REWARD ME ON THAT DAY" (2 Timothy 4:8). For Paul, "THAT DAY" of judgement was still future to his death, thus Paul would be rewarded the crown of righteousness AFTER HIS DEATH. 

3) Not everyone will be given all the same rewards: 

There are rewards that are all the righteous will be given when they enter in the kingdom of heaven after death... but there is also evidence that not everyone will be given all the same rewards. 

1) Example of equal reward for everyone:

There are rewards that are all the righteous will be given. 

This can be suggested in the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20, where Jesus said: "the kingdom (of) the heavens is like (a) man (who is a) house-master, who went-out together-with early-morning to-hire workers into his vineyard. And having-made-an-agreement with the workers FOR (A) DENARIUS (FOR) THE DAY, he-sent them out into his vineyard." (Matthew 20:1-2). 

Several hours later he kept on finding more workers to work in the vineyard, as it is written: "And having-gone-out around (the) third hour, he-saw others standing non-working in the marketplace. And (to) those he-said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I-will-give you whatever may-be right’. And the (ones) went. And again having-gone-out around (the) sixth and (the) ninth hour, he-did similarly" (Matthew 20:3-5). 

But in the end, all the workers received all the same reward, as it is written that "having-become evening, the master (of) the vineyard says (to) his manager, ‘Call the workers, and give-back (to) them the reward, beginning from the last (ones), up-to the first (ones)’. And having-come, the (ones hired) around the eleventh hour received (a) denarius apiece. And having-come, the first (ones) thought that they-would-receive more. And they also themselves received the denarius apiece" (Matthew 20:8-10). 

2) Example of different proportional rewards given:

There is evidence that not everyone will be given all the same rewards. 

This can be suggested in the parable of the minas in Luke 19, where Jesus said: "(A) certain well-born man traveled to (a) distant country to-receive (a) kingdom (for) himself, and to-return. And having-called ten (of) his (own) slaves, he-gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do-business while I-am-coming’." (Luke 19:12-13), and "it-came-about at his return, having-received the kingdom, that he-said (that) these slaves (to) whom he-had-given the money (should) be-called (to) him in-order-that he-might-come-to-know what they gained-through-doing-business" (Luke 19:15). This is where each will be given a reward... based on what they did with their single mina. 

Here each are described as being given different rewards based on what they did, as it is written: "And the first (one) arrived, saying, ‘Lord, your mina earned TEN MINAS’. And he-said (to) him, ‘Very-well (done), good slave. Because you-proved-to-be faithful in (a) very-little (thing), BE HAVING AUTHORITY OVER TEN CITIES’. And the second (one) came, saying, ‘Your mina, lord, made FIVE MINAS’. And he-said also (to) this (one), ‘And you, BE OVER FIVE CITIES’." (Luke 19:16-19). 

Here the one who made TEN from one received a different reward that the one who made FIVE from one. 

4) Reward: A better existence than on earth:

A BETTER EXISTENCE THAN ON EARTH is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven.

For example: Paul wrote: "yet we-are-confident and PREFER RATHER TO-BE-OUT-OF-HOME, OUT-OF THE BODY, and to-be-in-home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). 

Another example: Paul wrote of "having the desire that (I MIGHT) DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST, FOR (THAT IS) BETTER (BY) MUCH MORE" (Philippians 1:23). 

Another example: It is written in Hebrews: "Women received their dead (ones) by resurrection, but others were-tortured, not (expecting-)to-receive redemption, in-order-that they-might-obtain (A) BETTER RESURRECTION" (Hebrews 11:35).

5) Reward: Rest:

REST is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven. 

It is written in Revelation: "BLESSED (ARE) THE DEAD (ONES) DYING IN (THE) LORD FROM NOW(-ON)! Yes, says the Spirit, so-that THEY-WILL-REST FROM THEIR LABORS, for their works are-following with them" (Revelation 14:13). 

6) Reward: Joy:

JOY is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven. 

For example: Jesus gave the parable of the talents, with faithful people being rewarded as such: "his lord said (to) him, ‘Well (done), good and faithful slave. You-were faithful over (a) few (things). I-will-set you over many (things). ENTER INTO THE JOY (OF) YOUR LORD’." (Matthew 25:21). 

Another example: After passing away the righteous can eventually enter the kingdom of heaven, to which they already have some benefits on earth, as Paul wrote: "For THE KINGDOM (OF) GOD IS not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and JOY IN (THE) HOLY SPIRIT" (Romans 14:17). 

7) Reward: Eternal life:

ETERNAL LIFE is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven. 

For example: After describing a judgment, Jesus said: "the righteous (ones WILL GO) TO ETERNAL LIFE" (Matthew 25:46).

Another example: Paul wrote that one earth already "the gift (of) God (is) eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23) however there is also a future aspect to that which is a reward as Paul wrote about the "righteous-judgment (of) God, Who will-reward (to) each (one) according-to his works, (to) the (ones) seeking glory and honor and incorruptibility in-accordance-with endurance (in) good work, (HE WILL-REWARD) ETERNAL LIFE" (Romans 2:5-7).

Another example: Paul wrote two times in Titus about "(THE) HOPE (OF) ETERNAL LIFE" (Titus 1:2, Titus 3:7).

Ancient Jewish writing:

Jesus said that those who attain the resurrection "NEITHER MARRY, nor are they given-in-marriage. For they-are NOT even still ABLE TO-DIE, for they-are ANGEL-LIKE" (Luke 20:34-36), as they "are like ANGELS IN HEAVEN" (Matthew 22:30). 

An ancient Jewish writing called "1 Enoch" may shed further light on this, indicating something very similar:

➔ It is written in 1 Enoch 15: "But you [ANGELS] from the beginning were made spiritual, POSSESSING A LIFE WHICH IS ETERNAL, and NOT SUBJECT TO DEATH FOR EVER. Therefore I MADE NOT WIVES FOR YOU [ANGELS], because, being spiritual, YOUR DWELLING IS IN HEAVEN" (1 Enoch 15:6). 

Notice how in 1 Enoch 15 these beings "were made spiritual, POSSESSING A LIFE WHICH IS ETERNAL" (1 Enoch 15:6) as their "DWELLING IS IN HEAVEN" (1 Enoch 15:6). 

8) Reward: Incorruptibility:

INCORRUPTIBILITY is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven. 

For example: Paul wrote: "Now I-say this, brothers: that flesh and blood are not able to-inherit (the) kingdom (of) God, nor does corruption INHERIT INCORRUPTIBILITY" (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Another example: Paul wrote: "Do-you not know that the (ones) running in (a) race all run, but one receives THE PRIZE? Be-running in-this-manner: that you-may-take-hold-of (the prize). And everyone competing is-self-controlled (as to) all (things). So those (do it) in-order-that they-might-receive (a) corruptible crown, but WE (AN) INCORRUPTIBLE (CROWN)" (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

9) Reward: Being fully adopted by God:

Being fully adopted by God is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven. 

Jesus said: "THE (ONES) HAVING-BEEN-CONSIDERED-WORTHY TO-OBTAIN that age and THE RESURRECTION FROM (THE) DEAD (ONES) neither marry, nor are they given-in-marriage. For they-are not even still able to-die, for they-are angel-like. And THEY-ARE SONS (OF) GOD, BEING SONS (OF) THE RESURRECTION" (Luke 20:35-36).

Paul wrote: Those who are in Christ have already "received (the) Spirit (of) ADOPTION-AS-SONS [huiothesia 5206 in Greek]" (Romans 8:15), but they are not described as having already received the "ADOPTION-AS-SONS", as they are "EAGERLY-AWAITING ADOPTION-AS-SONS [huiothesia 5206 in Greek], the redemption (of) our body" (Romans 8:23).

10) Reward: Being with Jesus in heaven:

Being with Jesus in heaven is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven. 

For example: JESUS said: "There-are many places-to-stay in the house (of) My Father, otherwise, I-would-have-told you. I-am-going to-prepare (a) place (for) you. And if I-go and prepare (a) place (for) you, I-am-coming again. And i-will-take you to myself, IN-ORDER-THAT WHERE I AM, YOU MAY ALSO BE" (John 14:2-3). 

Another example: Paul wrote: "yet we-are-confident and prefer rather to-be-out-of-home, OUT-OF THE BODY, AND TO-BE-IN-HOME WITH THE LORD" (2 Corinthians 5:8). 

Another example: Paul wrote of "having the desire that (I MIGHT) DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST" (Philippians 1:23). 

11) Reward: Seeing God face to face:

Seeing God face to face is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven.  

Jesus said in Matthew that those who attain the resurrection "are like ANGELS IN HEAVEN" (Matthew 22:30). Earlier in Matthew, Jesus said: "ANGELS IN (THE) HEAVENS are CONTINUALLY SEEING THE FACE (OF) MY FATHER in (the) heavens" (Matthew 18:10).

Paul wrote: "now we-are-seeing through (a) mirror, in (an) enigma, BUT THEN FACE TO FACE" (1 Corinthians 13:12). 

12) Reward: To know fully just as God has known us fully:

To know fully just as God has known us fully is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven.  

Paul wrote: "Now I-know in part, BUT THEN I-WILL-KNOW-FULLY, JUST-AS I ALSO WAS-FULLY-KNOWN" (1 Corinthians 13:12). 

13) Reward: Being with those who previously passed away:

Being with those who previously passed away is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven.  

Jesus said: "many will-come from east and west, and WILL-LIE-BACK (TO BE) WITH ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB IN THE KINGDOM (OF) THE HEAVENS" (Matthew 8:11). 

14) Reward: Being with those we helped getting saved:

Being with those we helped getting saved is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven.

For example: Paul wrote: "the (one) planting and the (one) watering are one, but EACH WILL-RECEIVE (HIS) OWN REWARD according-to (his) own labor. FOR we-are God’s fellow-workers; YOU-ARE GOD’S LAND-WORK" (1 Corinthians 3:8-9), adding that at a judgment "EACH (ONE’S) WORK will-become evident" (1 Corinthians 3:13). Paul wrote 6 chapters later: "Are YOU not MY WORK in (the) Lord?" (1 Corinthians 9:1).

Another example: Paul wrote: "For WHAT (IS) OUR HOPE OR JOY OR CROWN (OF) BOASTING, or (is it) not indeed YOU, before our Lord Jesus at His coming?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19). 

15) Reward: Praise, glory and honor for one's own faith:

Praise, glory and honor for one's own faith is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven.

For example: Jesus gave the parable of the talents, with faithful people being praised for their faith, as it is written: "his lord said (to) him, ‘WELL (DONE), GOOD AND FAITHFUL SLAVE! You-were faithful over (a) few (things). I-will-set you over many (things)" (Matthew 25:21). 

Peter wrote: "the approvedness(-by-testing) (of) YOUR FAITH, (being) more-valuable (than) gold ((which is) perishing), though being-tested through fire, MAY-BE-FOUND (RESULTING) IN PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR at (the) revelation (of) Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7). 

16) Reward: To have eternal dwelling places:

To have eternal dwelling places is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven.

Jesus mentioned eternal dwellings that people can welcome others into, saying: "make friends (for) yourselves by means of wealth (of) unrighteousness, so-that when it-fails THEY-WILL-WELCOME YOU INTO THE ETERNAL DWELLINGS" (Luke 16:9).

For more information:

Places one can go to after death:
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17) Reward: To inherit the kingdom of heaven:

To inherit the kingdom of heaven is a REWARD that the righteous are given in heaven.  

For example: After describing a judgment, Jesus said to the righteous: "‘Come, the (ones) having-been-blessed (of) My Father, INHERIT THE KINGDOM having-been-prepared (for) you from (the) foundation (of the) world" (Matthew 25:34).

Another example: Paul wrote: "do-you not know that unrighteous (ones) WILL not INHERIT GOD’S KINGDOM?" (1 Corinthians 6:9). 

Another example: Peter wrote: "Therefore brothers, be-diligent more to-be-making your calling and election firm. For (while) doing these (things) you will by no means ever stumble. For in this manner THE ENTRANCE INTO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM (OF) OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST WILL-BE-SUPPLIED richly (to) you" (2 Peter 1:10-11). 

18) Reward: To reign from heaven over the earth:

To reign from heaven over the earth is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven.  

It is written about Christ that "HE-WILL-REIGN OVER THE HOUSE (OF) JACOB FOREVER. And there-will not be (an) end (of) His kingdom" (Luke 1:33). 

Paul wrote after Christ ascended and sat on His throne in heaven: "He must REIGN" (1 Corinthians 15:25), implying that Christ was reigning from heaven to earth. Paul also wrote: "if we-are-enduring, WE-WILL ALSO REIGN-WITH (HIM)" (2 Timothy 2:12).

Another example: "It is written in Revelation that "You-made them (a) kingdom and priests (to) our God, and THEY-WILL-REIGN OVER THE EARTH”." (Revelation 5:10). Later it is written: "And I-saw THRONES, AND THEY-SAT(-DOWN) ON THEM, and judgment was-given (to) them, and THE SOULS (OF) THE (ONES) HAVING-BEEN-BEHEADED because-of the testimony (of) Jesus and because-of the word (of) God, and they who did not worship the beast nor his image, and did not receive the mark upon the forehead and upon their hand. And THEY-CAME-TO-LIFE AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST" (Revelation 20:4).

Having a different authority given to reign based on what was done on earth:

In the parable of the minas in Luke 19, Jesus described that some were given to HAVE AUTHORITY (TO REIGN) OVER CITES, DIFFERING FROM ONE ANOTHER, depending on what they did on earth with what they had been given, as it is written: "And the first (one) arrived, saying, ‘Lord, your mina earned TEN MINAS’. And he-said (to) him, ‘Very-well (done), good slave. Because you-proved-to-be faithful in (a) very-little (thing), BE HAVING AUTHORITY OVER TEN CITIES’. And the second (one) came, saying, ‘Your mina, lord, made FIVE MINAS’. And he-said also (to) this (one), ‘And you, BE OVER FIVE CITIES’." (Luke 19:16-19). 

Christian traditions having this principle:

Multiple Christian traditions (Catholic and Orthodox traditions for example) hold the principle that Christians who passed away would ALREADY BE REIGNING FROM HEAVEN OVER THINGS ON EARTH, BASED ON THE LIFE THEY HAD ON EARTH (having a different authority from one another). 

In traditions like the Catholic and Orthodox churches, the reward of reigning from heaven is viewed as an active, ongoing administration. They believe that when a highly righteous person (a Saint) enters heaven, GOD GRANTS THEM SPECIFIC AUTHORITY TO INTERCEDE FOR AND ASSIST PEOPLE STILL LIVING ON EARTH.

Just as the Parable of the Minas (Luke 19) shows individuals being given authority over different cities based on their earthly work, these traditions believe saints ARE GIVEN "DOMAINS" OF AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN DIRECTLY TIED TO THEIR EARTHLY LIVES. Someone who overcame certain things while on earth can be given authority in heaven to help people on earth who go through the same kinds of things. Under this understanding, what someone overcomes on earth would not be only profitable to them, but could later also become profitable to many.

In the Catholic tradition, a person cannot be officially declared a Saint simply because they were good. There must be VERIFIED, POST-MORTEM MIRACLES ATTRIBUTED TO THEM. If people on earth ask a Christian who already passed away for prayers, and a documented medically inexplicable miracle occurs (such as an instant healing from congenital blindness for example), the Catholic authorities on the earth views this as sufficient evidence that the person who passed away would actively be reigning with Christ and wielding heavenly authority to assist the earth.

Furthermore, in these Christian traditions there are reports of SAINTS WHO PROPHESIED WHILE ALIVE ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO ONCE THEY RECEIVED THEIR HEAVENLY REWARD TO REIGN. The most famous example is Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (who passed away in 1897). Before passing away, she prophesied: "I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses." After she passed away, countless people reported receiving inexplicable assistance and miraculous healings accompanied by the sudden appearance or scent of roses, which was viewed as evidence that she successfully inherited her authority to act from heaven.

Historical evidence of coming in the clouds to reign over people on earth:

Jesus said: "the (one) overcoming and the (one) keeping My works until (the) end, I-WILL-GIVE HIM AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS. And HE-WILL-SHEPHERD THEM WITH (AN) IRON ROD LIKE CLAY VESSELS ARE-BROKEN-TO-PIECES, as I-also have-received from My Father" (Revelation 2:26-28). This language of shepherding nations with a rod of iron can be used to describe coming in the clouds to bring judgment and calamity on nations. 

In the Bible, a COMING IN THE CLOUDS can be accompanied with armies of saints in order TO ENFORCE A REIGN FROM HEAVEN ONTO THE EARTH.  

There might be evidence that this already happened multiple times in history, along with specific saints having been witnessed in these armies in the clouds. 

For more information:

Can there be a coming in the clouds beyond the 1st century?
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19) Reward: To be able to judge other beings in heaven:

To be able to judge other beings in heaven is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven.  

For example: Jesus said to the ones following Him: "Truly I-say (to) you that you, the (ones) having-followed Me, in the rebirth when the Son (of) Man sits on (the) throne (of) His glory, YOU ALSO WILL-SIT ON twelve THRONES, JUDGING the twelve tribes (of) Israel" (Matthew 19:28). 

Another example: Paul wrote "(to) the church (of) God being in Corinth, (to ones) having-been-sanctified in Christ Jesus, called HOLY (ONES)" (1 Corinthians 1:2): "do-you not know that the HOLY (ONES) WILL-JUDGE THE WORLD? And if THE WORLD IS-JUDGED BY YOU, are-you unworthy (of the) smallest cases?" (1 Corinthians 6:2). Paul then added: "Do-you not know that WE-will-JUDGE ANGELS?" (1 Corinthians 6:3).

Another example: In Revelation it is written: "And I-saw THRONES, AND THEY-SAT(-DOWN) ON THEM, AND JUDGMENT WAS-GIVEN (TO) THEM, and THE SOULS (OF) THE (ONES) HAVING-BEEN-BEHEADED because-of the testimony (of) Jesus and because-of the word (of) God, and they who did not worship the beast nor his image, and did not receive the mark upon the forehead and upon their hand. And they-came-to-life" (Revelation 20:4).

Having a different ability given to judge based on what was done on earth:

It is possible also that THE ABILITY TO JUDGE CERTAIN PEOPLE MAY DIFFER FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER based on what was lived on earth, and so not everyone may judge every kind of people, but it may be based on what someone had conquered in their own lives while they were on earth. For example this principle may be illustrated when Jesus said: "(The) QUEEN (of the) SOUTH will-be-raised AT THE JUDGMENT WITH this generation, and SHE-WILL-CONDEMN it. BECAUSE SHE-CAME FROM THE ENDS (OF) THE EARTH TO-HEAR THE WISDOM (OF) SOLOMON, and behold, (a) greater (thing than) Solomon (is) here" (Matthew 12:42).

For more information:

Eternal judgment (what can it be?):
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20) Reward: Having a different body with a particular glory:

Having a different body with a particular glory is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven.  

Paul wrote in the PLURAL about "The DEAD (ONES) raised" (1 Corinthians 15:35), and he asked: "(with) what (kind of) body DO-THEY-COME?" (1 Corinthians 15:35). 

Paul wrote that "you-do not sow the body (which) will-come, but (a) bare seed, perhaps (of) WHEAT OR (OF) SOME (OF) THE REST" (1 Corinthians 15:37). Here Paul indicated that there can be a seed sowed into the ground that can be DIFFERENT. 

Paul added that DEPENDING on the seed, "God gives it (a) body just-as He-willed, indeed, (TO) EACH (OF) THE SEEDS (ITS) OWN BODY" (1 Corinthians 15:38). 

This is why it continues indicating in the PLURAL that "(there are) heavenly BODIES" (1 Corinthians 15:40). 

Paul further explained how these bodies can DIFFER, indicating that "(There is) ONE GLORY (of the) sun, and ANOTHER GLORY (of the) moon, and ANOTHER GLORY (of the) stars. For star DIFFERS (from) star in glory. SO ALSO (IS) the resurrection (of) the DEAD (ONES)" (1 Corinthians 15:42). 

The kind of body given CAN DIFFER from one person to another depending on what they did on earth (the given glory reflecting that). 

For more information:

What kind of body can someone have after dying?
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21) The goal is to focus on rewards that remain after death:

The GOAL is to FOCUS ON THE REWARDS IN HEAVEN, because the rewards received ON EARTH are ONLY TEMPORARY and then they fade away forever, while the rewards IN HEAVEN GIVEN AFTER DEATH... are ETERNAL!

Paul taught that, writing about athletes in sports: "Do-you not know that the (ones) running in (a) race all run, but one receives the prize? Be-running in-this-manner: that you-may-take-hold-of (the prize). And everyone competing is-self-controlled (as to) all (things). So those (do it) in-order-that they-might-receive (A) CORRUPTIBLE CROWN, BUT WE (AN) INCORRUPTIBLE (CROWN)" (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). 

Here Paul was contrasting athletes in sports who had a very high amount of discipline to win in their sports... just to end up getting a corruptible reward on earth in the end after all those efforts (which is temporary, and will fade away). 

In contrast, Paul was exhorting Christians to focus on what is spiritual, so that their efforts on earth will gain eternal rewards in heaven that they will have forever. 

Guarding ourselves from potential eternal loss:

Believers in Christ can suffer LOSS OF POTENTIAL ETERNAL REWARDS THEY COULD HAVE HAD IN HEAVEN if they focused on what was temporary, as Paul wrote: "If one’s work which he-built (upon it) shall-remain, he-will-receive (a) reward. IF ONE'S WORK SHALL-BE-BURNED-UP, HE-WILL-SUFFER-LOSS. But he-himself will-be-saved" (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). 

This is why Paul wrote: "WE (ARE) NOT LOOKING-FOR THE (THINGS) BEING-SEEN, BUT THE (THINGS) NOT BEING-SEEN. For the (things) being-seen (are) TEMPORARY, but the (things) not being-seen (are) ETERNAL" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

There WILL BE SOME DISPARITIES IN HEAVEN BECAUSE GOD IS JUST AND FAIR, and will reward everyone justly and fairly based on what people did (or did not do) on earth with what they had been given. 

Jesus said that some people "WILL-BE-CALLED LEAST in the kingdom (of) the heavens" (Matthew 5:19), while other people "WILL-BE-CALLED GREAT in the kingdom (of) the heavens" (Matthew 5:19).

Jesus said: "MANY (WHO ARE) FIRST WILL-BE LAST, and (MANY WHO ARE) LAST (WILL BE) FIRST" (Matthew 19:30). This was said directly in context in the previous verse to people suffering loss ON EARTH for the sake of the good news of Christ.... but later inheriting things IN HEAVEN.

The need to walk in wisdom from God:

A life focused on the things above (which ends up being rewarded  in heaven) is a life based on the WISDOM FROM GOD. 

For example: Being with those we helped getting saved is a REWARD that the righteous can be given in heaven. This could be why the Proverbs reads: "the one who is wise WINS SOULS" (Proverbs 11:30). 

➔ Notice that those who win souls and will be rewarded with the presence of those souls with them in heaven is "the one who is WISE" (Proverbs 11:30). 

Another example: Having a different body with a particular glory is a REWARD that the righteous can be given after death in heaven, and DIFFERENCES IN GLORY may also have been implied in Daniel, as it is written in Daniel 12 that "many of the sleeping ones in the dust will rise" (Daniel 12:2), "And those who act wisely shall SHINE AS THE SHINING OF THE EXPANSE, AND those turning many to righteousness AS THE STARS forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3 (Masoretic)). 

➔ Notice that those given the greatest glory of the sun are "those who act WISELY" (Daniel 12:3 (Masoretic)).

This may be why Paul told believers in Christ to REDEEM the time by being WISE now, writing: "Therefore BE-WATCHING CAREFULLY HOW YOU-WALK, not as unwise, but as WISE, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil. Because-of this, do not be foolish (ones), but understand what the will (of) the Lord (is)" (Ephesians 5:15-17). 

➔ We can understand the will of the Lord... also by what He rewards in heaven (and what He doesn't). 

A lack of focus on the things above would be a sign of a lack of wisdom. James wrote: "if any (of) you is-lacking wisdom, let him be-asking from the God giving generously (to) all and not reproaching, and it-will-be-given (to) him" (James 1:5). 

22) Evidence that people today can end up going in different places after death?:

There may be evidence that people today may be able to end up going in different places after death.

Many people around the world were declared clinically dead after their heart would have stopped beating. In the cases in which the heart has stopped beating, a resuscitation can be performed by a doctor in order to try to make the heart beat again. Many people have reported after being resuscitated that they would still have been conscious in some sense after the time in which they were declared clinically dead and before their resuscitation. Similar reports are given across cultures and across different generations of people. These people reported several things as a result. 

For example, a number of people who were declared clinically dead and were resuscitated report having gone to a place of bliss, while a number of them also report having gone to a place in which there was some sort of fire in which people would appear to experience suffering there. 

For more information:

What can happen after we die?
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