Revelation 11:18; Rewards Unto Thy Servants

Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 

A reward is not something that is earned, for it comes to the believers as a gift from God. The concept reward and conduct are connected, but not in the sense of cause and effect. Rewards are given as tokens of God’s free grace.

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 345). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

The Apostle Paul understood that his mortal life was coming to a close. He was ready to meet his Lord. It was a life well-lived. No regrets.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 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. 

He was looking forward to that day of reward from the Lord as a gift from God of which the Apostle John in Revelation 11:18 alluded to “and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints and them that fear thy name, small and great.”