CROWNS
What crowns
will believers receive?
By Shari Abbott, Reasons for Hope* Jesus
The first mention of a crown in the New Testament
is a crown of thorns, representative of the curse of thorns and thistles that
was placed upon the earth when man sinned (Genesis 3:18).
This crown of thorns was placed upon the head of
Jesus (Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17, John 19:2, 5).
But sadly it was not a crown to acknowledge His
kingship, but a crown that was intended to mock Him.
Just as the nails in the Lord’s hands and feet
drew blood, so also did the crown of thorns, pressed down upon His head.
It brought forth the redemptive, pure blood of the spotless Lamb of God.
The crown of
thorns was placed upon the Lord’s head by men, but after the resurrection, when
the Lord ascended into Heaven, He received a crown of glory for the
work He had done on this earth.
He had lived a sinless life, according to the
will of His Father, even unto death.
The next mention of a crown in the New
Testament is very different.
Paul speaks of a race and the victor’s crown–the
crown that all believers will receive in glory:
“And every man that strives for the mastery is
temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we
an incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)
In his epistles, Paul compares the Christian
life to a race–one we are entered into the minute Jesus saved us and a race
that has a finish line at the border of life and eternity.
How we run this race will determine the crowns we
receive when we cross the finish line.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH
ABOUT THE
CROWNS?
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour
is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to
give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)
Rewards are not given for all of our works.
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall
declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every
man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned,
he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)
Rewards can be lost.
“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we
have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (2 John 1:8)
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:11)
What crowns will believers receive?
This
will take place in Heaven after the Rapture (2 Corinthians 5:10).
The works that were not God-honoring (wood, hay and stubble)
will burn away quickly.
The works that were done in service to God and for His glory
(gold, silver and precious stones) will remain and will be rewarded.
The Bible speaks of five crowns that will be given.
Remember, these crowns are not for salvation. These
crowns are rewards for the works done in the body of believers.
They are also not crowns of rulers, as indicated by the use
of the Greek word “stephanos.”
A stephanos was a crown of victory awarded in ancient
athletic games (e.g. the Greek olympics).
For the Greeks the crown was a braided wreath, made of
leaves from a wild olive tree.
In
the Pythian games, the crowns were of laurel leaves; in the Nemean games, they
were made of parsley and in the Isthmian games, of pine.
When
Christ returns, He will wear not wear a “stephanos.” He will wear a
“diadem”—the crown of a ruling, sovereign monarch (Revelation 19:12). 
.
FIVE CROWNS PROMISED TO BELIEVERS
.
The Incorruptible Crown / The Victor’s Crown
The Incorruptible Crown / The Victor’s Crown
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is
temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we
an incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)
Crown of Rejoicing / The Soul Winners Crown
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are
not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are
our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
Crown Of Righteousness:
“Henceforth 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 only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)
Crown Of Glory / Crown For Service:
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but
of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being
ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall
receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:2-4)
Crown Of Life:
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he
is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to
them that love him.” (James 1:12)
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold,
the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye
shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
What
can we expect?
Because the crowns are given based on the works done here on
earth and the intent of the heart in doing those works, there will be
differences in the rewards that we receive.
There will likely also be surprise and sadness at all the
opportunities we missed, opportunities we let pass by—opportunities to serve
the Lord, to share His love and to bring honor and glory to His name.
We were created for His pleasure, but all too often we
live for our own. We do not want to stand before Jesus with sadness for
all the missed opportunities.
However, while we should understand that we will receive
rewards, we should not live our lives striving for the rewards.
We are not to be motivated to do good works by the rewards
that we might receive. God wants us to serve Him, fueled by our love for
Him.
Let us live our lives loving Jesus and growing in knowledge
of Him and His Word.
Let
us learn of His will and ways, so we can trust Him and willingly surrender to
Him. Then His Holy Spirit will work in us and through us to be the
guiding force in all we think, say and do.
Some
will receive the honor of reigning with Christ in the Kingdom to come, others
will not (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 3:21).
However, while there may be differences in rewards, there
will be no jealousy or envy when we receive our rewards.
Jealousy and envy are sin, and we can be assured that, in
Heaven, our salvation is complete.
In Heaven, we will have been saved from the penalty of sin,
from the power of sin and even from the presence of sin.
It
is safe to say, whatever rewards we receive, however many jewels there might be
in our crowns, we will not be jealous or envious.
Remember, even our good works are all because of the Lord
Jesus Christ’s presence in our lives.
So what will we do with those crowns? We will give them
back to the One who deserves all honor and glory.
In
love and adoration, we will cast our crowns at His feet. Perhaps
that is why the Lord will return wearing many crowns!
“The four and twenty elders fall down before
him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and
ever, and cast their
crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to
receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things,
and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:10-11)
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he
that sat upon him was called Faithful and True…and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he
himself…The Word of God…..KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19: 11,13, 16)
After the curse of sin is removed, those who are
with the Lord will forever praise the King of kings in perfect unison.
All of God’s people will praise Him for all eternity.
All of God’s people will praise Him for all eternity.
God will
grant us the ultimate gift, eternal life in His Kingdom through His grace if we
repent of our sins and obey His commands .
To experience
God as a personal, caring, loving Father, you have to receive Jesus Christ as
your personal Lord and Savior. You will become a child of God and begin the
fulfillment of the reason you were created by God.
Say the following prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am
a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
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WHAT IS THE ‘BEMA’ SEAT OF CHRIST?
Do Good Works Earn
Heavenly Rewards?
“Revelation Song”
Don Moen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-zk-E55dRkChildren’sChurchJasonWhitfield
lyrics
Worthy
is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
[2X]
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
[2X]
Holy,
Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Clothed
in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King
Holy,
Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Filled
with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...
Holy,
Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
[3X]
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
[3X]
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