The Bible has much to say about prophets and their calling, ministry, and reward. At its most basic level, a prophet is someone who speaks God’s word to others. The Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and others were primarily called to speak God’s messages to Israel, often calling them to repentance and renewed faithfulness. The New Testament also speaks of prophets in the early church who brought messages to local congregations for their edification and instruction.
When it comes to a prophet’s reward, the Bible indicates several key things:
Faithfulness matters more than fame
For many Old Testament prophets, their ministry was marked by rejection rather than fame. Consider the prophet Jeremiah who faithfully delivered messages of coming judgment, yet was rejected, persecuted, and imprisoned by the leaders of Israel. Other prophets like Elijah experienced deep depression and despair. Despite the lack of fame or acceptance, these prophets chose faithfulness to God’s calling on their lives. Their reward was in obeying God, not winning human acclaim.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” For the prophets, faithfulness mattered more than fame.
Their unique reward is from God
Since prophets often faced rejection from people, Jesus reminds us that their unique reward comes from God. When prophets choose faithfulness to God over human approval, Jesus says their reward in heaven will be great. God sees the hearts of prophets who are willing to speak truth even when it’s hard or unpopular. Their reward is in treasuring God’s approval rather than man’s.
This principle is seen in passages like Hebrews 11:32-38 which recall believers who courageously trusted God and endured mistreatment. Verse 39 says, “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us.” Even when prophets don’t see the reward of their efforts on earth, God has prepared something greater.
Their ultimate reward is eternal life
While prophets may uniquely suffer in their earthly ministry, their eternal reward is the same as all who have trusted in Christ. The ultimate hope of all believers, including prophets, is eternal life with God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” The glories of heaven far outweigh present sufferings.
The book of Revelation gives us glimpses of the eternal reward awaiting God’s people. Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” While prophets may weep on earth, in heaven God himself will wipe away every tear.
God is no man’s debtor
The author of Hebrews affirms that when prophets and all believers live by faith and suffer for Christ, God will amply reward them. Hebrews 6:10 states, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” Serving Christ always bring eternal reward.
The apostle Paul reflected this truth in 2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” The reward is certain because of the One who gives it. God will honor those who honor Him, no matter the cost.
The greatest reward is Christ himself
When exploring the question of a prophet’s reward, the greatest reward is not fame, acclaim, or even heaven’s joys. The greatest reward for prophets and all believers is Christ himself. Being in His presence and enjoying Him forever is our supreme reward. Psalm 73:25-26 captures this, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Our ultimate reward is our relationship with Jesus.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism echoes this truth in its famous first question, “What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Prophets may surrender earthly comforts, but their supreme reward is Christ.
God remembers their faithfulness
Hebrews 6:10 says God will not forget the work and love shown by His people, including prophets who speak for Him. Jesus gave a similar promise in Matthew 10:41-42, “The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward… Truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” God is mindful of those who support His prophets.
We see this truth in Jesus’ words to the persecuted church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11. He commands them to remain faithful in suffering “so that you may receive the crown of life.” Their reward will match their faithful obedience. God remembers the prophets who speak for Him.
God rewards obedience, not just results
When we think of rewards, we often focus on visible results and impact. But the Bible teaches that obedience to God is rewarded, whether or not it brings outward results. For example, God told Ezekiel that his prophetic ministry would be rejected, but that he should still faithfully speak God’s words (Ezekiel 3:4-11). Ezekiel obeyed even though the people refused to listen.
Jeremiah became known as the “weeping prophet” because so few repented in response to his warnings. But he obeyed God’s call. Their reward was in faithfulness, not measurable impact. Jesus said in Matthew 25:23, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Obedience brings eternal reward.
Their reward comes from stewarding a gift
The gift of prophecy comes only from the Holy Spirit. It is not something manufactured or earned by human effort. Paul teaches this clearly in Romans 12:6-8, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.” The gift must be stewarded well, but flows from God’s grace.
Since the prophetic gift is given by God’s grace, its use brings reward as a stewardship responsibility. Jesus told a parable equating stewards who invested their master’s money well to those who used God-given gifts wisely for His purposes. Faithfulness leads to greater responsibilities and reward (Matthew 25:14-30). Using gifts brings blessing.
Heaven’s rewards will differ for each person
While all believers will enjoy eternal life with Jesus, the New Testament indicates that the rewards given in heaven will differ based on each believer’s faithfulness and service on earth. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:8 that Christ will “reward each person according to what they have done.” How we steward God’s gifts has consequences.
The parable of the ten minas in Luke 19:11-27 illustrates this truth. As each servant invested the money entrusted to them, the master gave differing rewards based on their faithfulness. Verse 17 shows the connection between faithfulness and reward. Prophets and all saints will be rewarded as Christ sees fit.
The reward for endurance is a crown
James opens his epistle by saying, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Enduring trial is difficult but brings reward (James 1:12). The apostle Paul reflected this truth in 2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day.” Crowns await those who endure.
The book of Revelation shows several instances of believers being rewarded with crowns. The crown of life (Revelation 2:10), the soul winner’s crown (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20), and the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:2-4) await those who faithfully serve Christ and endure suffering. The reward for persevering is worth far more than the cost.
God’s rewards humble us in worship
Human nature tends to think we deserve blessing and reward from God based on our efforts. But the truth is every good gift we have comes from Him by grace (James 1:17). Even our next breath comes because He grants it. This truth leads to humble worship rather than prideful boasting.
The 24 elders in Revelation 4:10-11 model this response. They cast their crowns before God’s throne saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” All reward elicits worship of the Rewarder.
The reward is ultimately seeing Jesus glorified
The supreme reward for all believers is seeing the glory of Jesus Christ revealed when He returns. This glimpse of future glory moved Paul to endure suffering in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “So we do not lose heart… For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”
Seeing the glory of Christ face to face elicits fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). Seeing Jesus glorified transcends any earthly reward. As C. S. Lewis wrote, “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible clearly shows that faithfulness brings eternal reward from God to those who serve and speak for Him, including the prophets. Their supreme reward is treasuring Christ above all else. By focusing on faithfulness over fame and embracing eternal rewards over earthly comforts, the prophets model lives of devotion for every believer.