Stratification in the Clouds

Will there be a caste system in heaven?

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Will there be a caste system in heaven?

Better to be a slave in heaven or a hero in hell?

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Will there be a caste system in heaven?

I cannot accept the assumption on which this question rests.

Originally posted by Wulebgr
I cannot accept the assumption on which this question rests.

Does the Bible describe heaven as having a caste system?

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Does the Bible describe heaven as having a caste system?

How do you define a castile system?
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
How do you define a castile system?
Kelly

A caste system is a societal hierarchy, in which some classes of people are valued differently, expected to play different roles, and entitled to differing levels of privilege based on their class.

Does the Bible indicate that certain people will be entitled to greater rewards in heaven, or will all people be treated equally and receive the same level of rewards?

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Will there be a caste system in heaven?

I certainly hope so. It would be a shame if the Wolfpack could not participate in the glory of old.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
A caste system is a societal hierarchy, in which some classes of people are valued differently, expected to play different roles, and entitled to differing levels of privilege based on their class.

Does the Bible indicate that certain people will be entitled to greater rewards in heaven, or will all people be treated equally and receive the same level of rewards?

I would not say any will be valued above any other, yet at the same
time the rewards will vary on account of the work done here. God has
no favorites, but there are those that know Him better than others,
that have done more for God's cause than others.

I hope that makes sense!
Kelly.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Does the Bible describe heaven as having a caste system?

Much better.

Yes, it would seem so.

Matthew 25:29 "For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."

Originally posted by KellyJay
I would not say any will be valued above any other, yet at the same
time the rewards will vary on account of the work done here. God has
no favorites, but there are those that know Him better than others,
that have done more for God's cause than others.

I hope that makes sense!
Kelly.

I'm quite afraid it doesn't.

You indicated that rewards are based on earthly work.
The rewards are presumably bestowed by God.
If God does not value a person who has done greater works above a person who has done lesser works, on what basis does God bestow greater rewards upon the former while witholding them from the latter?

But the algorithm behind the reward distribution is really an aside to my main question, which you have answered clearly: people in heaven will receive varying levels of reward.

But if reward has any meaning, it is something that someone acts to gain, or would prefer to have than to lack. Thus, heaven will still have the haves and the have nots, even though the have nots will have a very good standard of existence. Further, one's class in heaven is inescapable if rewards are based on earthly work; once a have not, always a have not.

And out of curiosity, in an already perfect existence, what would be the nature of a reward? If everything is already perfect for me, any change would be a change for the worse, or at best an indifferent event, so it would seem that reward has no meaning in heaven.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
I'm quite afraid it doesn't.

You indicated that rewards are based on earthly work.
The rewards are presumably bestowed by God.
If God does not value a person who has done greater works above a person who has done lesser works, on what basis does God bestow greater rewards upon the former while witholding them from the latter?

But the algori ...[text shortened]... e worse, or at best an indifferent event, so it would seem that reward has no meaning in heaven.

You are asking two different things, the first and I assume the
more important, does God value you less than say me? Answer
to that and all other comparisons is always, no! God has no
favorites none what so ever, and as such Jesus even says when
we do good or bad things to the least of his; it is just the same as
doing it unto Jesus Himself. That is highly valued in my opinion,
and that is how we are all viewed, highly valued. You and I or
anyone else is just as valued as Peter and Paul were or I should
say as they are valued, how do you value God?

The 2nd part, our rewards, we will get them for what we do, good
and bad. That has nothing to do with how we are valued.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay

The 2nd part, our rewards, we will get them for what we do, good
and bad. That has nothing to do with how we are valued.
Kelly

If it has nothing to do with our value, then what does it have to do with?

What do you think the nature of reward is? Airlines offer frequent flier miles because they value loyal customers more than non-loyal customers. Employers reward good employees with bonuses because they value good employees more than mediocre employees. Can you think of one earthly example of a reward system that is not based on valuing the type of person that receives the reward more than the type of person that doesn't? Value and reward are inseparable concepts.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
If it has nothing to do with our value, then what does it have to do with?

What do you think the nature of reward is? Airlines offer frequent flier miles because they value loyal customers more than non-loyal customers. Employers reward good employees with bonuses because they value good employees more than mediocre employees. Can you think of ...[text shortened]... e reward more than the type of person that doesn't? Value and reward are inseparable concepts.

Well give me an example of where rewards are talked about and
why and how you think it is unfair. We are not speaking about
coupon day for Pan Am here, just one scripture where rewards
appear to be something that has to do with the value alone of
a person.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
Well give me an example of where rewards are talked about and
why and how you think it is unfair.

I'm making no claim about fairness. If there are in fact levels of rewards, it is not my contention that they are unfair. In fact, you are the first person to mention anything at all about fairness, so the idea about unfairness presumably resides in your mind.

I'm not even asserting that there are such levels of rewards - I'm asking.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
I'm making no claim about fairness. If there are in fact levels of rewards, it is not my contention that they are unfair. In fact, you are the first person to mention anything at all about fairness, so the idea about unfairness presumably resides in your mind.

I'm not even asserting that there are such levels of rewards - I'm asking.

I believe it will be completely fair, I just don't understand your view
that some how it is our value to God that brings some to get more
rewards than others.
Kelly