December 8
The Certainty
of Reward
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
Daily Steps
Embracing the eternal perspective (Day 343) means living with the certainty of Christ’s return and the reality of a divine reward. This verse provides one of the final, authoritative declarations in the Bible, assuring the new believer that every act of resolute obedience (Day 283) and service (Day 326) performed in this life will be justly and personally recognized by Christ.
The peace in this principle is found in personal accountability:
The Promise of Return: The declaration is urgent and definite: Look, I am coming soon! This promise of The Return of Christ (Day 306) fuels our hope and expectation (Day 341) and compels us to live with watchful living and steadfastness (Day 339).
The Guarantee of Reward: Christ states: My reward is with me. This is the culmination of our eternal inheritance (Day 312). Every believer is saved by grace (Day 257) through faith (Day 254), but rewards are given for faithful works of service (Day 326), such as good deeds (Day 331) and mutual care (Day 324), motivated by love (Day 342).
The Rule of Justice: The distribution is perfectly just: I will give to each person according to what they have done. This is the principle of personal accountability (The Judgment Seat, Day 307). It should motivate inner discipline (Day 335) and purity, knowing that our actions matter eternally and will be perfectly reviewed by our Head (Day 322) and Lord.
Your peace is secured by personal accountability. Embrace Eternal Perspective and the End today by living as though Christ were returning in the next hour. Let the certainty of your reward inspire you to greater diligence (Day 292), knowing that your labor for the Lord is never in vain.
Reflective Question
If Christ returned soon and reviewed what you have done in the last week, what specific action would stand out as a faithful work of service? What one thing can you do today that is motivated by the desire to receive an eternal reward?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to lose focus on the future and to seek immediate, temporary rewards. I thank You for the promise: Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me. I pray for the grace to live with steadfastness and diligence in anticipation of Your return. Secure my peace today in this personal accountability, and may my works bring You glory. Amen.
