David rewarded all his people equally, the most valiant received the same as the wearied: Jesus Christ rewards all of His followers equally.

1 Samuel 30:21-25

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click here for a description of the image of the beast.

“Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them.” 1 Samuel 30:21

David greeted the two hundred men who were so weary that they were not able to pursue and valiantly fight against those who set their place on fire and took all of their families captive. At the same time, they remained loyal to David and stepped forward to meet David and his victorious men who recovered their families and all that was stolen.

When Jesus Christ comes back, He is going to greet everybody who has remained loyal to His testimony and have eagerly waited for His return. Jesus will greet with respect, honor, and rewards the faithful few who have grown weary through the affliction and hardships of this life. The Holy Spirit speaks these words to us, as quoted below,

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, or bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding,
nor favor to men of skill;”

Ecclesiastes 9:11

Salvation is a gift of God, which is by our faith, and there is nothing in our own strength that we can do to earn it. There are no boasting rights within the body of Christ, every person’s faith is the same size, as quoted, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 Faith is all one size because all anyone has to do is believe in God through Jesus Christ. The reward of eternal life is the only prize, there is no 1st, 2nd, nor 3rd place prizes. That is the meaning of what is called the “Widows Mite,” who gave all she had although it was only a penny compared to what others were contributing. It’s not how much we do for God but that we do all we can for Him.

A very clear example of the difference between works and faith is seen in the behavior of those working to bring in the global goals of the United Nations. Establishing the global government of the beast is 100% rooted in human effort and 0% rooted in loyalty to God through Jesus Christ. In contrast, Salvation has 0% to do with the human effort we put into making this world a better place and has 100% to do with believing the testimony of Jesus Christ. Our Salvation is eternal life in a new heaven and new earth, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Those working to build the earthly utopia by human efforts are relying on the thing which forms their thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors. It enables the image of the beast to live and speak through them and by what they say and do, it is obvious they have no loyalty to God through Jesus Christ. They are conformed to their place within the global culture as they are groomed to the mark of the beast. The human effort put forth to build the “democratic” society of the beast is rooted in spiritual wickedness, but loyalty to God through Jesus Christ is rooted in the Holy Spirit.

“Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.” 1 Samuel 30:22

Jesus Christ warns us repeatedly that it makes no difference the work we do on this earth, as long as we are loyal to His testimony. He often refers to those seeking greater rewards, prestige, and authority than other Christians as being “wicked.” The parable of the Prodigal Son is an example to us.

Verses 8-14 of The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard are quoted below,

“So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 

But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 

Matthew 20:8-14

David had something to say to the wicked men who thought they should have received more than those who did less work than them, “But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.” 1 Samuel 30:23-25

The statute and ordinance which David established was certainly one which Jesus Christ often talked about in His parables, private talks with His Disciples, and in His teachings to the Pharisees and the general public. That statute and ordinance states that rewards for loyalty to God are all the same, which is eternal life. The reward Billy Grahm receives is the same as the sinners He led to the Cross of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin. We are rewarded for our faith in God through Jesus Christ, not by what we accomplish.

The last two verses of the Parable of the Laborers in Vineyard are quoted below. That is about the exact same language which David used towards the “wicked and useless” men who thought they deserved more than the others based on their human efforts. That is the “scarlet cord” which points to Jesus Christ throughout the Bible.

“Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”Matthew 20:14-16

I was lost but Jesus saved me
He gave his life on Calvary’s tree
And though I failed him
He still loves me
Through his grace I’ve been set free

I know I don’t deserve a mansion
‘Cause I was born a sinful man
No, I don’t deserve a mansion
But Jesus built a home for me in glory land
(Church Song)

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1