The Finish Line

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we are shown a future picture of the day when we, the genuine believer, have crossed the finish line and are in God’s heavenly kingdom.  The picture that we see in heaven is filled with great happiness, joy, pomp and circumstance.  In other words, there is going to be a great celebration in heaven!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAll of this month I have been taking a look at our journey – our walk of faith – through life as we, the true believer, make our way to heaven.  The journey, we know, is not an easy one as we have many trials and many tribulations.  Just this past week, we know that there was another mass shooting done out of hatred.  This then led to the same u003cemu003efruitless u003c/emu003econversations that they always lead to – gun control and racism still being in existence like it’s a surprise.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennImagine going through u003cemu003eallu003c/emu003e of what we go through in line – those heartaches, worries, pains, and stress – only to receive u003cemu003enothingu003c/emu003e.  If that was me, I  would wonder what we even lived for?  Some are walking this journey just to receive nothing at the finish line.  Personally, at the end of my journey, I want to be u003cemu003erewarded u003c/emu003ewith a u003cemu003egoodu003c/emu003e prize which u003cemu003eI know u003c/emu003efor certainty is waiting for me.  So, I want to focus on the finish line today and what awaits all who have followed where God has guided them and depended on Him as both provider and protector.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eJudgment of the Righteous and Wickedu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we have seen in recent weeks through our Sunday School, u003cemu003eevery u003c/emu003eknee will bow and every tongue will make a confession to God – everyone will be judged by Him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is.+45%3A23%3B+Rom.+14%3A11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eIs. 45:23; Rom. 14:11u003c/au003e).  Now, from what we have studied in scripture, we know that the righteous will stand before the judgment seat of Christ at their finish line to be judged.  The wicked, we know, will stand before the Great White Throne at their finish line to face judgment.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe finish line for the wickedu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, this is a subject that Paul spent a great deal of time focusing on and teaching to believers.  In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to run the race of faith in a manner to obtain a reward u003cemu003efrom the Loru003c/emu003ed (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+9%3A25u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor. 9:25u003c/au003e).  The reason why Paul spoke about this subject was because he understood the rewards waiting at the finish line for both the wicked and the righteous.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYou see, u003cemu003eall u003c/emu003ewill be rewarded for their journey through life – this even includes the wicked.  To show you this, in the book of Isaiah, we will see that the Lord said through the prophet,  “Woe to the wicked!  It shall be u003cemu003eill u003c/emu003ewith him, for the u003cemu003ereward of his handsu003c/emu003e shall be given him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Is.+3%3A11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eIs. 3:11u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe reward of the wicked will be given at the Great White Throne; it will be an u003cemu003eillu003c/emu003e (not healthy or good) reward.  Today, the wicked spend all of their time laboring for the riches of this world but where does this get them?  On the spiritual journey, it gets them nowhere.  In fact, the gains they do have in the world are temporary because this world will pass away into u003cemu003enothingness.  u003c/emu003eSo, the reward that awaits them at the finish line in this world is u003cemu003enothing u003c/emu003eand spiritually speaking, it is also nothing.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSolomon, when he spoke about the wicked and their desires for worldly riches, said it was u003cemu003evanityu003c/emu003e and like trying to grasp the wind – it cannot be obtained (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eccl.+1%3A3-4u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEccl. 1:3-4u003c/au003e).  In the end, there’s no true profit to our laboring for the riches of this world because we are going to one day leave this world, and as Paul said to Timothy, u003cemu003e“we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out u003c/emu003e(u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Tim.+6%3A7u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Tim. 6:7u003c/au003e)u003cemu003e.”u003c/emu003ennu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, the reward at the finish line for the wicked is emptiness and loneliness; they will be cast away from Him for eternity.  Out of His presence, there will be no happiness, just sorrow, as the soul of the wicked will wallow in pity for all of eternity.  Does this sound like a reward that you would want at the end of your journey?  This is not the kind of reward that any one should desire to receive at the end of their journey through life.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eThe finish line for the righteousu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAt the judgment seat of Christ, those who genuinely believe will not receive such an ill reward from Christ.  We are shown in scripture that when the true believer reaches the finish line, we will be blessed with the good rewards of God.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo the Corinthians, Paul said that in the u003cemu003etwinkling of an eyeu003c/emu003e, when Christ returns for the church, the true believer will be u003cemu003echanged.  u003c/emu003eThis change is the beginning of the many rewards that awaits the true believers; we shall be raised u003cemu003eincorruptible u003c/emu003eand that this mortal, which we are now, will put on immortality and we will have victory (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+15%3A50-55u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor. 15:50-55u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eRewards at the Finish Lineu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn his letter, James joined Paul in speaking about the great day when we all get to heaven.  He wrote, “u003cemu003eBlessedu003c/emu003e is the man who u003cemu003eendures temptationu003c/emu003e; for when he has been approved, he will receive the u003cemu003ecrown of life u003c/emu003ewhich the Lord has promised to those who love Him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jas.+1%3A12u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJas. 1:12u003c/au003e).”  The crown of life – another heavenly reward waiting at the finish line – is not a reward that James made up from his own imagination but one that is very real.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn the book of Revelation, we see Jesus speaking of this same crown.  To those who were u003cemu003esuffering u003c/emu003eat the church in Smyrna, Jesus said, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer.  Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be u003cemu003etestedu003c/emu003e, and you u003cemu003ewill u003c/emu003ehave tribulation ten days.  u003cemu003eBe faithful until death, u003c/emu003eand I will give you the u003cemu003ecrown of life u003c/emu003e(u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+2%3A10u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 2:10u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYou and I suffer today – we go through some things!  Yet, through our suffering, there is a crown waiting at the finish line for us!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eHidden manna and the white stoneu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we continue in the book of Revelation, we will see that the rewards are many for those that chose to depend on u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/the-wandering-soul-give-me-direction/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229248u0022u003eGod’s guidance, directionu003c/au003e, u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/dont-lose-hope/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229291u0022u003eprovidenceu003c/au003e, and u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/the-battle-is-not-yours/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229264u0022u003eprotectionu003c/au003e.  Jesus said to those that u003cemu003eovercomeu003c/emu003e, He (Jesus) will give them some of the u003cemu003ehidden manna u003c/emu003eto eat (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+2%3A17u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 2:17u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennManna, we will remember, was the bread of heaven that was given to the children of Israel  to replenish and nourish them as they journeyed in the wilderness.  They u003cemu003elived u003c/emu003eby manna and manna alone for a long time as they made their journey. Now, the hidden manna that Jesus is speaking of is laid up for us in heaven.  Therefore, it will not be physical manna but u003cemu003espiritual manna u003c/emu003ethat is eternal.  This eternal manna will provide us with spiritual nourishment and u003cemu003elifeu003c/emu003e for all of eternity.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn that same verse, we will see Jesus speak of another reward that we will receive in heaven.  Jesus, again, saying to those that overcome, He will reward us with a u003cemu003ewhite stone u003c/emu003eand on the stone will be a u003cemu003enew name u003c/emu003ewritten (engraved) that no one will know except the one who receives the stone.”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, this is a very unique token that is given to every child of God because we all overcome the trials and tribulations of the world and sin through Jesus Christ (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A33u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 16:33u003c/au003e).  The u003cemu003enew name, u003c/emu003eI believe, is not a new name assigned to you but a name of Christ that is engraved on the stone.  We will carry this stone as a u003cemu003esignet u003c/emu003efor all of eternity as a seal of being in fellowship with Christ.  I don’t know about you, but I want my crown, and to eat that eternal manna, and to carry that precious stone – I want these heavenly rewards!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eReward of joy and happinessu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen we get to Revelation 19, where my key verses are located for today’s sermon, the picture of heaven is full of joy and celebration.  This chapter opens with a view of a u003cemu003egreat multitude u003c/emu003ein heaven rejoicing and singing praises to the Lord (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+19%3A1u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 19:1u003c/au003e).  This great multitude, I want to point out, is made up of all who have believed – the elders, u003cemu003ebelievers u003c/emu003eof the church age, tribulation saints, and the heavenly angels!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennUnderstand this, you and I – the true believers – are seen in this picture — we are already there!  What this means for us is that all we have to do is simply stay the course in our walk of faith and that future picture of us being in heaven will be fulfilled!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe are going to be singing and rejoicing u003cemu003ebecause u003c/emu003ewe will have overcome our journey – every trial and tribulation – and will have victory!  So, all of those trials, tribulations, and adversaries that tried to crush us will have u003cemu003efailed u003c/emu003ebecause we stood firm in our faith in Christ.  Satan, who threw everything he possibly could at us, will have failed because our faith in Christ did not break.  When we cross that finish line and enter into the heavenly kingdom, you better believe that we are going to be rejoicing!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennBeing in the heavenly kingdom of the Lord is going to be a great reward!  With a voice, the sound of many waters and mighty thungerings, the great multitude in the first of my key verses will sing out, “Hallelujah!  For the Lord God Omnipotent (all powerful) reigns!”  Now, notice that there is no sadness, grief, or pain in this picture.  When the true believer crosses the finish line, there will only be happiness and great joy – this happiness and joy is truly a great reward, especially compared with what we go through now.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:pullquote u002du002du003enu003cfigure class=u0022wp-block-pullquoteu0022u003enu003cblockquoteu003eu003csupu003e6 u003c/supu003eAnd I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! u003csupu003e7 u003c/supu003eLet us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”nnu003cciteu003eKEY VERSES – REVELATION 19:6-7 NKJVu003c/citeu003eu003c/blockquoteu003enu003c/figureu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:pullquote u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eMarried to the Lambu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn the second of my key verses, we will see the great multitude announce that the u003cemu003emarriage of the Lamb u003c/emu003e- Christ – has come and that u003cemu003eHis wife u003c/emu003ehas made herself ready.  The wife of Christ, we should remember, are all of those that believed during the church age – from pentecost to the day of the rapture.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennHere we see another reward of genuinely believing in Christ today.  You, as a genuine believer, are going to take Christ’s hand in marriage and be u003cemu003emarried u003c/emu003eto Him for all of eternity – this u003cemu003eseals u003c/emu003eour fellowship (relationship) with Christ.  As the bride of Christ, the u003cemu003echurch u003c/emu003ewill be the u003cemu003ecrown jewel u003c/emu003eof heaven that will appear like a jasper stone and will be clear as crystal (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+21%3A9-11u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 21:9-11u003c/au003e)!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe are going to be a beauty to behold!  It will be granted to the bride of Christ to be u003cemu003earrayed u003c/emu003ein u003cemu003efine linenu003c/emu003e, a robe, that will be both clean and bright (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+19%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 19:8u003c/au003e).  We are told that this robe is the u003cemu003erighteous acts u003c/emu003eof the saints.  All of our lives, the true believer has striven to be righteous and when we get to heaven, we are going to be u003cemu003eclothed u003c/emu003ein righteousness!  We are going to be u003cemu003efull u003c/emu003eof glory and we will be that perfect image of the Lord that we strive to reach on this journey!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennGod will say of those that attend this wedding, “u003cemu003eBlessedu003c/emu003e are the dead who die u003cemu003ein the Lord u003c/emu003efrom now on.”  The Spirit then said, “Yes, that they may rest from their u003cemu003elaborsu003c/emu003e, and their works follow them (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+14%3A13u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 14:13u003c/au003e).”  Let us remember that to be u003cemu003eblessed u003c/emu003emeans to be spiritually happy.  We are going to be spiritually happy in that day because our soul will be at rest – we will be content!  Our contentment comes from having not to worry about today or tomorrow; there will be no more burdens and stress.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003ePeace or Sufferingu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAnd to think that some believe that gaining the riches of this world is the finish line.  Solomon said of those that strive for the riches of this world, their days are u003cemu003esorrowful u003c/emu003eand their works burdensome with no rest (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eccl.+2%3A23u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEccl. 2:23u003c/au003e).  The outcome of it all, Solomon again said, was vanity (empty/pointless).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI look around and see gas prices that are nonsensical to me.  I then turn on the news and hear that there is a shortage of u003cemu003ebaby formulau003c/emu003e on top of all the other things that simply don’t make any sense.  And yet, people would wonder why heaven is always on my mind!  Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy this life that the Lord has blessed me with, but at the same time, I gleefully dream of the day when I reach that finish line and cross over it into the Lord’s heavenly kingdom.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eA place of eternal peaceu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen one runs a race and they can see the finish line ahead of them, there is a sudden renewal of energy to get to that finish line.  As I said before, heaven should be your finish line and if it is your finish line you should be filled with hope to make it to that line!  I encourage you today to keep on running towards the heavenly gates and don’t stop to look back for one second!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhen those who run a marathon cross the finish line of a marathon, some raise their arms in victory and others collapse to the ground as they try to catch their breath.  When you and I cross that finish line, the Lord tells us that He is going to wipe away every tear.  In His heavenly kingdom, Jesus said that there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+21%3A4u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 21:4u003c/au003e).  Why would u003cemu003eI u003c/emu003enot want to go to this place?  Why would u003cemu003eyou u003c/emu003enot want to go to this place?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eEverlasting sufferingu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThose who cross the finish line and collapse in hell, will never catch their breath.  Hell is a place that is pictured throughout scripture as a place of torments (sorrows).  In the story of the rich man and the beggar named Lazarus, the rich man ended up going to this place of torments (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16%3A19-31u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 16:19-31u003c/au003e).  The torments were so great for the rich man that he desired greatly for relief from his torments.  He pleaded that his loved ones be made aware of that place and they be warned to do everything possible not to end up there!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennScripture shows us that Satan and all who choose to follow his path will be cast in this place of torments called the lake of fire – this fire won’t be physical but spiritual (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+20%3A7-15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 20:7-15u003c/au003e).  The torment of this place will be a torment from day to night, forever and ever.  Let us consider that time as we know it will not be such a thing in eternity – so this suffering will be long lasting, nonstop.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eOne last pleau003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennDoes this sound like a prize you would want to receive after having lived in this world?  I certainly hope not!  So, I will make one more plea of encouragement to you in this series of sermons.  If you are already heading in the direction of heaven, u003cemu003econtinue u003c/emu003esteadfastly in that direction by following Christ.  If you are heading in the opposite direction of heaven, I encourage you to repent – turn away from that direction – and follow Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennMy hope is that after hearing of the great happiness, joy, pomp and circumstance of heaven, when compared to hell, you will feel more motivated to get to heaven.  Lay up for yourself treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys the treasure and thieves cannot steal it.  There are great rewards  waiting for us there in heaven, so let us strive to receive those prizes.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e