Jesus lays out for us what we should do to be accepted by Him. That takes in BOTH NT levels.....the righteous and the holy.
Matt. 10:41 "He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."
I don't think very many people take the words of Jesus seriously anymore. The religion that He ostensibly started ...actually the faith that was perverted by men...has no room for Him. I made the categories bigger so that some here might notice, although I think even if I made the words of Jesus to stand as tall as buildings...they would go unheeded by the present generation.
So who is the prophet in the instruction of Jesus and what is the reward??
All who have walked in Zion with the Lord are prophets. Their testimony is meant to encourage actual church life.
The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Rev. 1910 "And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
And what is the reward of receiving a prophet? Well, the reward is with God, the reward IS God, unblemished by the world. AND it is the persecution in the meantime to be reviled along with the prophet. For we must suffer now to receive a reward later.
And what of the righteous man? How do we receive a righteous man to get a righteous man's reward? We owe our brothers and all who fear the Lord our love and assistance. We are to be hospitable and patient with those who have not yet known the higher walk, but are willing. The reward is life. Those who do right with patience and integrity, we are to receive as the righteous. To receive life we must honour even the righteous that are not like us. Giving honour to whom it is due. Having mercy as God has mercy, using discernment to distinguish the guileless and innocent ...from those who bring with them a religious affectation based on the ego.