p. 16 | Gone to His Reward

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 14, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 20.

Gone to His Reward

“Gone to His Reward.”—This is one of the standing phrases used in connection with the death of good men. It is being reiterated around the world with reference to the demise of the late Dr. Talmage. From a Bible standpoint, it is not very complimentary to say that a man goes to his reward when he dies. Death is the wages (reward) of sin. Rom. 6: 23. “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1: 15. Paul’s idea of the Christian’s reward is very clearly expressed. Conscious of his approaching end, he said: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8. So the reward of the righteous is a “crown of righteousness [life, James 1: 12],” not death; and the time of receiving it is not at death, but at the coming of the Lord. Matt. 25: 31-34; Rev. 22: 12. Jesus makes the contrast very plain: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God [death] abideth on him.” John 3: 36. The resurrection day, and not the day of death, is the time of triumph. 1 Cor. 15: 41-57; 1 Thess. 4: 13-18.