Will All Christians Inherit the Kingdom?

WILL ALL CHRISTIANS
INHERIT THE KINGDOM?

Preface

First of all, we have to establish how a person gets to heaven. The bible says it is a FREE GIFT (Romans 6:23 & Ephesians 2:8 & 9). There is NO WAY we can earn heaven or think that we deserve heaven. We are sinners and fall way short of heaven (Romans 3:23). Only by trusting ALONE in what Jesus Christ did for us; that He died, shedding His blood for our sins (Hebrews 9:22), spent three days and nights in hell (Matthew 12:40 and Acts 2:27), and that God has raised Him from the dead (Acts 2:24 & 32); will we have eternal life (John 3:16 & 5:24). Once you are saved, you are always saved (John 3:16, 5:24, 10:28 & 29). Eternal life is a FREE gift with no strings attached. However, along with eternal life (salvation), does a Christian automatically receive rewards or inherit the kingdom of God?

The question this booklet deals with is, “Will all Christians inherit the kingdom?” Too many people believe that the kingdom IS eternal life. Therefore, a deeper study of God's word needs to be done. Those who die in unbelief will also have an eternal life but it will be spent in eternal punishment (hell), NOT in heaven. When we look at 1 Corinthians 3:15, we see, at the judgment seat of Christ, that some believers are going to suffer loss. You have to ask yourself, “What does this mean? What could I suffer and what could I lose at my judgment?”

Many Christian churches either teach or assume that rewards and inheritances are included in salvation. This is a false teaching. Salvation is FREE, but the rewards must be earned.

Let us look at some Scripture to see what God’s word has to say:

Read Galatians 5:16-21
Paul writes to believers about being led by the Spirit rather than the flesh. Do you notice the list of things that are done in the flesh? If we, as Christians, practice such things, verse 21 says we will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Read 1 Corinthians 6:9 & 10
Do you see that the Apostle Paul again lists people who will not inherit the kingdom. If you think that Paul is talking about unbelievers here, because of the content, think again. Remember, the unbeliever does not have eternal life (i.e., FREE GIFT - See Preface), let alone the inheritance of the kingdom.

Read Ephesians 5:1-6
These verses make it very clear that the wrath of God will be upon those who practice what it says in verses 4 & 5, and on the “sons of disobedience”, verse 6. Can a believer be a partaker with them? Verse 7. The answer is “YES”. The reason being the word disobedience (Gk. Apeitheia)means “obstinacy; obstinate opposition to the divine will.” Do you know any believers like this? Will they inherit the kingdom of God?

Read Colossians 3:5-6, 23-25
Whose responsibility is it to put to death the things in our members (flesh)? Is the apostle talking to believers or unbelievers? Again, can a believer be a “son of disobedience”? Look at verse 23. Is the inheritance a gift or reward?

Next, we will be looking at the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Please read Chapters two and three.

Notice that Jesus is addressing churches, genuine believers (there are no “unbelievers” in His true church - Matthew 16:18 & John 3:3). However, there are “unfaithful” believers in these churches, and all but two of these churches are told to repent (change their mind about their sin).

EPHESUS
In Revelation 2:2 & 3, Christ commends the Ephesian Christians. But in verse 4, He says that they have left their first love which, in the context of verses 2-5, is works for the Lord. Remember, you cannot work for your salvation (Ephesians 2:8 & 9). In Revelation 2:7, Christ tells them “to him who overcomes, (finishes the race, 2 Timothy 4:7), to him I give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Remember that no one has eaten from the tree of life yet. This is NOT salvation!!! This has to do with reward.

SMYRNA
Smyrna is known as the persecuted church. Notice that they are not told to repent, but to be faithful unto death. If they are killed for their testimony they will be given a Crown of Life (Purple Heart). If they overcome, they will not be do not go to the Lake of Fire. So what does this mean? If you, as a believer, are not faithful to the King of Kings, you will see those people who you were ashamed to witness to DROP INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS!

PERGAMUM
In Pergamum, there were some that held to the doctrine of Balaam (Numbers 22-25). Take note that Christians were doing these things to other Christians, and they held to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Traditionally (this is not confirmed) the Nicolaitans were the ones who started to separate the leadership from the laity, similar to what we see in the traditional “church” system today. Notice how Jesus is going to fight against them with the sword of His mouth if they don’t repent. However, if they overcome they will receive a reward (Revelation 2:17).

THYATIRA
To the church at Thyatira, Jesus said their last works were better than their first, but He still had things against them. A woman, Jezebel, was causing some to fall into sin. Jesus gave her time to repent, but she did not. Notice that this church had allowed female leadership in the church. This is not biblical (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1). Notice in verse 23 that the Lord will “kill her children with death”. This is physical death and, as the verse says, He searches the minds and hearts. He will give to each one according to their works. Verse 26 says, “And he who overcomes, (finishes the race), and he who keeps My works to the end, to him I will give power over the nations.” But, if you do not overcome (stop running the race), you will not rule or reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:11-13).

SARDIS
Sardis has a name that means “they are alive, but they are dead”. Let us look at verse 4. Jesus says, “You have a few people in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy.” Now, the question is, “Can a Christian defile his or her garment?” Jesus says, “YES”. The only saints who come back with Christ to rule and reign are the ones clothed in white (Revelation 19:7 & 8, 14). Do you see this? The saints that finish the race (overcome) will have a white garment and their name will not be BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE. Remember, believers are the only ones in the book of life, and a believer CANNOT LOSE HIS SALVATION. So, what does this mean? It means loss of reward, such as not ruling and reigning with Christ, not having access to the tree of life or the city (Revelation 22:14 & 15, 19; Matthew 10:32 & 33).

PHILADELPHIA
The Philadelphia church shows the kind of Christians we should be striving to be like, not only as a church, but personally and nationally. This can only happen if we are OBEDIENT to the King, Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19 & 20; Mark 16:15).

LAODICEA
The last church is not where you want to be found and that is the Laodicean church. Jesus has nothing good at all to say about this church (Revelation 3:16 & 17). If you think that this is an unbelieving church or that Christ is talking to unbelievers in this church, look at verse 18. Christ tells them to BUY from Him pure gold refined in the fire and a white garment so they won’t be naked. Can you buy your salvation or your way to heaven (Acts 8:20)? Can Christians ride back with Christ with NO GARMENT (Revelation 19:14)? Will they ride back with a DEFILED GARMENT (Revelation 3:4)? Verse 19 of Chapter 3 gives a warning to those Christians who are not obedient. He will rebuke them (verbally) and chasten them (cause physical calamities), but disobedient Christians can be zealous and repent. Notice in verse 20 that a Christian can still close the door on Christ and leave Him on the outside of his life. The Lord disciplines those who He loves. DO NOT think you are above the Lord’s chastening (Proverbs 16:18 & Matthew 22:1-13).

Please read Revelation 22. Notice that in verse 12, Jesus says He is coming quickly and His reward is with Him. Where will Jesus be on the new earth (Revelation 21:21 & 22)? Who will not enter into the city (Revelation 21:27; 22:15)? Do you know any Christians like this? Chapter 22:14 & 15 are not referring to unbelievers in the lake of fire, they are talking about disobedient Christians who will be outside the city. The word “outside” means “just” outside or “in the proximity”. Disobedient Christians will be outside the city. Unbelievers have already been cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 21:1 & 24-27), which is not located on the new heaven or new earth, and has been in existence long
before the new heaven and earth are created (Revelation 19:20; 20:10).

Now that we have taken a brief look at who will or will not inherit the kingdom, and have read that only those in white will rule and reign with Christ, the question is, “Will all Christians be the bride?” Please read Revelation 19:7 & 8. Notice in verse 7 that the bride has made herself ready. How does she do this and who is the bride? Verse 8 answers these questions. “It was granted to her to be arrayed in fine linen clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”
Christian, it is our responsibility to weave our own wedding garment. Salvation is FREE, but discipleship is costly (Matthew 10:32-39; Luke 14:25-35). We always quote Ephesians 2:8 & 9, but we forget verse 10, “We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” It’s not what “we” think is good, but what God has prepared for us, such as preaching the gospel (Mark 16:15) and making disciples (Matthew 28:19 & 20). Not all Christians are doing these things and the ones not obeying will suffer loss! (Also refer to these Scriptures: Isaiah 61:10; 62:5; Jeremiah 2:32).

My prayer is that you are not one of the disobedient Christians and that you will be able to enter in through the city gates (Revelation 22:14). If you are one of the disobedient, your name will be blotted out of the book of life (not eternal life meaning salvation), and you will suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3:15; Ezekiel 44). To avoid this, just be obedient, knowing what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15-17), so that you may receive a FULL reward (1 John 1:8). This is not an exhaustive study, but it is written to open your eyes to what the Scriptures teach about the inheritance. Remember, our of all the believers who were in the wilderness, only two went into the promised land,
which was their inheritance (Numbers 14). My prayer is that you will be teachable.