A "reward" in the Bible represents something that brings people together, or brings spiritual states together, and binds them. In the Bible, of course -- especially the New Testament -- we're told repeatedly to do what is good and right "without thought of reward." That's because removing the idea of a natural reward lets us be aware of spiritual rewards, which are actually intrinsic to the good that's being done. On a relatively low level, we feel delight in doing something nice and useful for someone else; that delight is a reward. The love that can exist between partners in a committed, loving marriage is a reward. The delight we feel when we truly want what is good and know how to create it is a reward. And ultimately, our conjunction with the Lord and the delight of His love and salvation is the deepest reward of all. These are the things meant when the Bible speaks of "rewards.

526. "And to reward Your servants the prophets and saints." This symbolizes the happiness of eternal life for people who possess doctrinal truths from the Word and live in accordance with them.

The reward given symbolizes the happiness of eternal life, as shown below. Prophets symbolize people who possess doctrinal truths from the Word (nos. 8, 133), and saints people who live in accordance with them (no. 173).

The reward given here means the happiness of eternal life arising from the delight and gratification of a love and affection for goodness and truth. For every affection of love has its own accompanying delight and gratification, and an affection of love for goodness and truth is accompanied by a delight and gratification like that of angels in heaven. Moreover, every affection remains in a person after death. That is because the affection is one of love, and love is a person's life. Consequently everyone's life after death is of the same character as his dominant love in the world, and a dominant love for truth and goodness is possessed by people who have loved the Word's truths and lived in accordance with them.

Nothing else but a delight in goodness and a gratification by truth is meant by reward in the following passages:

Behold, the Lord Jehovih is coming in strength...; behold, His reward is with Him... (Isaiah 40:10, cf. 62:11)

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me... (Revelation 22:12)

My judgment is with Jehovah, and the reward for my work with my God. (Isaiah 49:4)

...I, Jehovah, love justice...; I will give them the reward of their work... (Isaiah 61:8)

...do good, and... hoping for nothing in return, then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. (Luke 6:35)

And so on elsewhere, as in Jeremiah 31:15-17 (Matthew 2:18); Matthew 5:2-12; 10:41-42.