As we discovered in our last meeting – each stewardship consisted of a steward, a responsibility, a consequent failure to fulfill the stewardship. This was followed by a judgment upon the steward followed by a transition of time leading to the next stewardship. This has been repeated throughout history as recorded in our Bible.
The current stewardship / dispensation of the grace of God is coming to a close. The rapture of the Church Age saints followed by the judgment seat of Christ will be a time of reward for our stewardship. We are the stewards of the mysteries of God, and we will be rewarded for our faithfulness to this stewardship. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, 4:1-2, 6:1-4. How we rule and reign with Christ will be directly affected by the reward we receive. We will be rewarded based upon our attitudes and actions in obeying the simple instructions of scripture.
1 Corinthians 10:31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Colossians 3:23-24: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
The kingdom stewards of the Old Testament have yet to receive their reward, because the kingdom is currently in “time out.” The imminent return of Christ for the Church Age saints will put the prophetic program clock back to “time in.” This is why Jesus speaks of so many judgments in the parables. Even though the Old Testament saints were in paradise waiting for the Messiah to suffer for the nation, they cannot receive the reward for their stewardship until the kingdom comes. The vineyard, the pounds, and the talents are all about kingdom stewardship.
Old Testament prophets were given visions of future events, but not much detail of the order of the events. Many significant events are bunched together because there is no consideration of time. They know it will happen in the future and that is enough.
Daniel lumps all seventy weeks together, not knowing that there is a 2,000 year period of time from the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah King Jesus till the 2nd Advent when He returns to establish his everlasting kingdom. Daniel 9:24-27
Job knows that his redeemer will stand upon the earth in the latter days, and that he would see him in his own resurrected body. Job 19:25-27
Hebrews 11:32-40 describes the faithful suffering of the Old Testament saints, who are still waiting, in heaven, for the tribulation saints to fulfill their role in preparation for the kingdom. They have obtained a good report and are waiting to return with Messiah King Jesus and receive the reward of their stewardship, to rule and reign with Christ, as described in the parables.
Revelation 11:15-18: And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
One thing is sure – it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment! No one escapes their appointed judgment! Everyone will know the reward received, based upon the responsibility given in the kingdom for each of us.
