Throughout the New Testament, we find repeated references
to the return of the Lord for His bride, the church. Each
time there is a reference to the rewards or some sort of
admonishment to godly and purposeful living. So again, as in
verse 7, the Lord declares the suddenness, the absolute
surety and immanency of His return. However, here He
emphasizes the dispensing of rewards according to a
believer’s faithfulness, according to how a person has used
his time and talents. Salvation is totally by grace, but
rewards, though also by grace, are dependent on our works,
as we have responded to God’s grace. This is then not only a
promise of rewards, but also an exhortation and an incentive
to godly living and service. This, however, must not be
disassociated from the emphasis of verses 7 and 10 that
stress the need to know and understand the words of this
prophecy, because the Word of God is both our motivation and
correction.
