Answer: The reward of the ancient worthies will be to be raised to life in Christ’s earthly kingdom and serve as the earthly instructors of mankind under the New Covenant. While Jesus and his church reign over Christ’s kingdom from heaven, the ancient worthies will be its earthly representatives. The Psalmist tells us, “In place of your fathers will be your sons; You shall make them princes in all the earth.” (Psa. 45:16 NASB)

The apostle Paul writes that during their lives, the ancient worthies looked for a better arrangement based on God’s promises. “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (14)   For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. … (16) But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

The better country they were seeking was Christ’s earthly kingdom. But they were to await in the grave until the time of its establishment and their resurrection. Jesus explained this in John 3:13 (NASB): “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.” The apostle Peter added in Acts 2:29 (NASB): “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.”

However, they will be resurrected in Christ’s kingdom as perfect human beings become the teachers and leaders of the human family. “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 8:11 NASB) The human family will come to learn from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob about God and righteousness in Christ’s kingdom. “And many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths.’ For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” (Isa. 2:3 NASB) The word of the Lord will come forth from Jerusalem through the ancient worthies.

For more information, see our related booklets and videos listed below:

Booklet God’s Plan	Video The Abrahamic Promise, Covenant and Oath	Video Looking Back to Sodom
Booklet Israel in History and Prophecy	Video God’s Promised Blessings to All Nations	Video Enoch A Herod of Faith
Booklet Future of Israel and the World	Video Jacob’s Prayer and Left Handed Blessing	Video Jonathan and David a Model of Friendship
Booklet Gods Plan For Man	VideoLessons from the Life of Elijah	VideoThe Prophecy of Obadiah

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