Our enduring is to be by trusting Christ as our life-source and “Lord” (Gk. This co-reigning is conditionally based upon our having endured with Him. I believe this co-reigning with Christ is among the ‘rewards’ (v14) to be distributed at “the Judgment Seat of Christ” soon after the Rapture. The point is that only some of us may co-reign with Christ in heaven. The point here is not about our salvation, our justification, our having Christ’s resurrection life, or our Rapture to heaven… in these things are sure and secure. Yet also the prior verse says “ If we suffer (endure) With Him We Shall Reign With Him” ( 2Tim 12). The Rapture of ALL grace believers to heaven is owing to His faithfulness alone… because “He abideth faithful” (2Tim 2:13). This reward of co-reigning in heaven is not to be confused with the several ‘crowns,’ which I will cover more fully this in the next installment. It’s clear from 2Tim 2:12 that the reward of “co-reigning with Him” is reserved only for those who have learned to endure by trust in His life and His leading not trusting in their own self-abilities to serve self-interest. Paul also wrote of some grace believers co-reigning with Christ in the heaven, which is a ‘conditional’ reward. “ 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 (Paul) only, but Unto ALL THEM also THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING. Every believing member of “the body of Christ” has at least “Crown Of Righteousness”saying, 2:19, 2 Tim 4:8) that are available to grace believers. Whether these are real or figurative crowns, at least one applies to every believer saved during this age of “the grace of God.” Paul, as “the Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13) writes of three (3) crowns the “Incorruptible Crown,” the “Crown Of Rejoicing,” the “Crown Of Righteousness,” (1Cor.
There are five kinds of heavenly ‘crowns’ to be awarded in heaven.
Thus every genuine believer who has trusted Christ as their Savior is eternally saved unto heaven and possesses Christ’s eternal resurrection life, then being “sealed with that Holy Spirit” (Eph 1:13). “you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), brought to life together with, having forgiven us ALL our transgressions ,” (Col. Our Rapture to “ eternal glory” is certain because our sins have been forgiven. Paul “endured all” things that the elect might “ obtain the salvation… WITH Eternal Glory.” (2Tim 2:10b).