Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 9/8/2003

Question
Are their levels of rewards in heaven?  Will some that make it to heaven be blessed more than others?  Is their scripture that backs this up?

Thank you,

Answer
Hi Rich,

Thanks for that great question!  Yes there will be rewards in heaven, but I am not convinced that there will be "levels" of Heaven.  The Bible clearly teaches that we as born again believers will answer for our actions, especially regarding the spred of the gospel, and that judgement will be for reward, not to determine our destiny, Heaven or Hell.  

1 Corinthians 3:10-16
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2 Corinthians 5:6-11

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps.

In Christ,
Pastor Don