So what will these differing rewards look like? Is there Scripture to give us a glimpse into the future resurrection? Indeed.
"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead..." (1 Cor 15:41-42).
Concerning these verses, one author has written: "The bodies of the dead, though all immortal, shall possess different degrees of splendor and glory, according to the state of holiness in which their respective souls were found..."
You see, the sun has one degree of splendor, and the moon another, and so also do the stars: They differ from each other in magnitude, in brightness, and in beauty. The idea in this verse differs from that in the former. In that 1 Corinthians 15:40 Paul says, that there was a difference between the different classes of bodies; between those in heaven and those on earth. He here says, that in the former class, in the heavenly bodies themselves, there was a difference. They not only differed from those on earth, but they differed from each other. The sun was more splendid than the moon, and one star more beautiful than another. The idea here is, therefore, not only that the bodies of the saints in heaven shall differ from those on earth, but that they shall differ among themselves, in a sense somewhat like the difference of the splendor of the sun, the moon, and the different stars. Though all shall be unlike what they were on earth, and all shall be glorious, yet there will be a difference in that splendor and glory.
Concerning this truth, George Warnock has written: “That there are many different groups which may be included in the word "Church" is quite evident from the Scriptures, and from Creation itself. But the Lord knoweth them that are His in each particular group, and in His own good time it will be manifest. A building in its formative stages appears to be but one vast conglomeration of scaffolds, framework, brick and steel--and it is not too evident how many rooms there will be, and for what purpose the rooms are intended. But in the day of its completion it is all quite evident. So shall it be with the Church of Christ. For there are celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; one glory of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars--and even one star differeth from another star in glory. So shall it be in the day of Christ, when each man is revealed in His own order according to the plan and purpose of God".
There indeed will be rewards "small and great" (Rev 11:18). What we do know is that God Himself will be our exceedingly GREAT reward: "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Gen 15:1). Will this glorious position be extended to every single believer in the body of Christ? I do not believe so. I believe this "exceeding great reward" is a special one, given to those who will shine the brightest:
"There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number. My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" (Song 6:8-10).
And thus we see the reason behind such covenantal confusion. Is our covenant secure? Indeed it is, but a misunderstanding of rewards will cause us to lump them all in one package, and label it "heaven". When the Bible discusses the forsaking of sin, we do not do so to earn our entrance into heaven. Rather, we do so because we love Jesus, and desire to become the spotless Bride He has longed for (Eph 5:25-32).
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