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CROWNS IN THE BIBLE
Dr. Mrs. Persis. S Bandari
(Bloomfield , NJ)
Recently I took part in a women's fellowship. The theme of our group was "Do we get any reward if we preach the gospel of salvation?" which was based on John 4:36. When meditating on this verse I was deeply moved with the great need to know more about rewards, because I found that rewards have very great impact in Christian life, if we live according to the great commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt 28:19-20). I would like to take a good opportunity to share few thoughts about REWARDS in this souvenir.
John 4:36 says that the wages are mentioned to the sowers and servants who work in the harvest. Generally, we see that gifts, blessings and promises are given right away, but rewards are something that will be given in future; Rewards [which are] unseen and indescribable. The rewards in the spiritual arena will not be like badges or medals. One said that "salvation is by grace and graduation is by works." Salvation is a free gift - there are rewards for a faithful Christian life, and loss of rewards for an unfaithful Christian life.
Because rewards are one of the great motivations to the Christian life, we need to understand the nature of rewards. We serve the Lord our God because we love HIM. HE is a Kind God who will give rewards for our service to HIM. God is a God who rewards equitably. Paul writes in 1Cor 9:18: "Spreading Gospel without anticipating any wages is my reward." When we preach that Jesus is the only Savior, and people believe in HIM and accept Lord Jesus Christ as the true God, it is a big reward for us for winning a soul unto HIM. (1Cor 10:33) Our reward is in heaven if we are persecuted for HIS name's sake (Matt 5:12). Jesus repeatedly said, "Behold, I come quickly!" (Rev 22:12). When HE comes, our reward will be with HIM (Is 62:11; Is 3:10). We shall also eat the fruit of our work (Is 40:10). Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand.
Here are the rewards of every Christian
conqueror! Christ's throne, crown, scepter, palace, treasure, robes,
and heritage...what will the courtroom be like for the rewards? The
judgment for rewards will be for believers, and Jesus is the judge.
Unbelievers are judged at the great white throne judgment; what
criteria will the judge use? Judgment will be given on the basis of
faithfulness, proportionate to ability according to motives and with
the "Christ-in-you Principle." Much of the reward will be based on
what we allowed Christ to do through us, and not on what we have
done in our own strength.
Some people will receive crowns in heaven as a special kind of reward for their sacrificial living while on earth. The twenty-four elders seated around God's throne wore golden crowns and white garments (Rev 4:4). The crown is the symbol of victory or award of the highest honor or rank. It is also the symbol of royalty and authority. God has made the conditional promise of five crowns to the believers. They gave Christ a crown of thorns, a symbol of ridicule, at HIS crucifixion. But God turned this crown of thorns into our salvation and Christ's glory. Do you know that HE stores special crowns for each one of us? Here is the glimpse of what these crowns are, and who may receive them in Eternity by our savior Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Five different crowns are mentioned in Scripture:
1. The Crown of Life: (Martyrs Crown) Rev 2:10
2. The Crown Imperishable: (Incorruptible Crown) 1 Pet 5:2 -4
3. The Crown of Rejoicing: (Soul Winners Crown) 1 Thes. 2:19
4. The Crown of Righteousness: (Who Love His Appearing) 2 Tim 4:8
5. The Crown of Glory: (The Pastors Crown) 1 Cor 9:25
1. The Crown of Life:
This crown is for those who overcome spiritual battles: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life that the lord has promised to those who love him" (James1:12). The crown of life is not salvation; it is a reward for those who suffer for Christ. Those who endure the persecution of this world for Christ and the Gospel will receive the crown of life! "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer, indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev 2:10). This special crown of life, the martyr crown, is reserved for believers who are faithful and who endure temptation. This does not mean we cannot receive this crown if we fall or fail. HE has promised that we will not be tempted past our endurance and that HE will provide an escape (1Cor10:13). The clearest of all verses that promise us of our crown is: "We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly TILL THE END the confidence we had at first" (Heb 3:14).
2. The
Crown Imperishable:
1Cor 9:24-25 "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown but we for an imperishable crown". This imperishable crown is for those who are born of God (John 3: 3). The acceptance of the Lord Jesus as your personal savior is the only requirement for this crown. Being a good, honest, and moral person will not result in winning the incorruptible crown; "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1Peter1:23). Anyone who testifies the Gospel, counting not their life dear to themselves, and who finishes the race with joy, will receive from the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:24) an imperishable crown (Heb: 2:7). HE made us lower than the angels for a while. Yet HE has crowned us with glory and honor.
3. The Crown of Rejoicing:
( Soul Winner) This crown is a reward given for witnessing, follow-up, and ministry to others. In one sense, the Thessalonians will be Paul's crown, and the effect at the judgment and throughout eternity will be rejoicing over their presence in heaven. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? (1Thess 2:19-20) You Have to be a soul winner to receive this crown.
4. The Crown of Righteousness:
"Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will give me on that day, not to me only but also to all who have loved HIS appearing" (2Tim 4:5-8). When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, HE takes our unrighteousness (Heb 8:12) and gives us HIS righteousness (1 Pet 2: 24 Matt 6:33). This makes us pure and acceptable before the Lord. Once we are in the Lord, we should try to follow HIS will for our lives, and oppose the forces of evil (Eph 6:12). "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness and all kings thy glory; and thou shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name" (Isa 62:1).
5. The Crown of Glory:
The pastors will receive a special crown of glory. "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 examples to the flock" (1Pet 5; 2). And when the chief shepherd appears you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away (1Peter 5:4)
Summing
up all these rewards with the crowns which will be given to each
believer who works to achieve them in faithful service to Christ.
Are we preaching the gospel in spite of suffering? Do we love the
Lord and serve HIM faithfully? When do we receive these crowns? We
are only told that HE comes with HIS rewards. We will receive our
crowns at wedding feast. The scriptures do not say this but I think
the wedding feast will be like the awards banquet. All believers are
there, including the persecuted children of God, and Christ. The
guests will be the heavenly host. Each will receive his rewards-the
crowns, and the treasures that are stored in heaven and the other
blessings from the Lord. When Christ returns (Rev 14: 1) and we have
received the crowns that are promised, what are we going to do with
crowns? We will cast them before the Saviors feet in worship and awe
of Him (Rev 4: 10,11).
To whom given:
A) They that strive lawfully: 2Tim2; 5
B) They that practice self-control: 1Cor 9: 25.
C) They that fight the good fight of faith: 2 Tim 4:6-8; 1Tim 5:12; Jude 3.
D) They that endure temptation: Jam 1: 12; Heb 10: 32-34; Matt 10:22; Matt24: 12.13.
Additional references: -
1).Jer 21:14.
2). Isa 62: 11.
3). Matt 16:27
4). Rev 2:23
5). Job 34:11.
6). Ps 62:12.
"Behold , I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every one according to his works" (Rev 22:12). We must let the hand of God, reward us as HE deems just and fair. Remember, HIS hand is always bigger than ours. Let us live for HIM today: let HIM reward us tomorrow.
Do we have a crown in our account?
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