Heavenly Rewards Five Crowns!
Thank you so much for joining us! We will continue sharing what the Word of God reveals about heavenly rewards. The more knowledge we have of what the Word of God reveals, the more successful we will be in living a godly life which pleases the Lord. Holy Spirit, reveal Your truth as we look at the Word this day. Eric
Prophetically, the Scripture reveals two judgments that will take place. One, the Great White Throne Judgment will take place following the Great Tribulation and Thousand Year Reign and will involve those who did not accept Jesus as their Savior. Revelation 20:15 reveals, "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." At this time, all who never accepted and received Christ will be eternally separated from God. This is why it is so imperative for believers to share the gospel. All those who reject Christ will face a horrendous eternity.
The other judgment mentioned in Scripture is known as the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment seat of Christ will involve those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 reveals that whatever a believer has built upon our foundation of faith in Christ will be tested by fire. It is at the judgment seat of Christ that our faithful service will be evaluated and rewarded. He will assess our every thought, motive and action. 2 Corinthians 5:10 reveals, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." If what we have done survives the fire, we will receive a reward. (1 Corinthians 3:15).
We read in Scripture about five crowns that will be awarded for those who serve Him.
The Greek word used for 'crown' in the New Testament does not refer to a royal crown but the wreath placed on the head of those who have won battles or declared the victor in athletic games. It appears to be another way for the Lord to reward and recognize that His children have done well.
The judgment seat is not where our salvation is determined. If we have trusted and accepted Christ as our Savior, our sins are forgiven. That alone qualifies us to enter into the holy presence of God in heaven. (Ephesians 2:8 and 9).
In continuing our study concerning rewards believers receive in heaven, we will be looking at five crowns that could be received at the judgment seat of Christ.
The 'Crown of Righteousness' is the ultimate reward for a life lived in faithfulness to Christ and to one who longs for His return. (2 Timothy 4:8). Those who will receive this reward will have displayed faithfulness to God, even in the midst of trials and persecution. Those who long for Christ's return will reflect a heart set on the eternal rather than the temporal and the concerns of the world. Importantly, we note that righteousness means, what is deemed 'right' by the Lord. A righteous life will be one that is lived in conformity to God's standards. Then, we realize, equally importantly, that the believer's righteousness comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ. We have no righteousness of our own in us. "We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:22).
When we receive Christ, the Holy Spirit comes and lives in us and helps us to live a life pleasing to God. The Scripture also reveals as believers, we are no longer slaves to sin. (Romans 6:6).
Secondly, we will look at the 'Victor's' or 'Imperishable Crown.' 1 Corinthians 9:25 reads, "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." Verse 24 (NIV encourages, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." In our life of faith, we must live a disciplined life to win the race. We strive with all we have to obey and please God. 'Imperishable' means indestructible, incorruptible, immortal and un-decaying.
Quoting David Jeremiah, "The good is the enemy of the best. Life is full of good things that take our focus off the best Christ has to offer. We must identify the best Christ has to offer - then, we choose to exercise such discipline that we will receive the Victor's Crown." If we lose our focus, we will never 'win' the race. Our race of 'faith' includes how we spend our time, money and talents. Do the things we do habitually reflect service to God or other priorities?" Are we more concerned with paneling our own walls (self) than we are about 'building the walls of the temple'? (The work of the Lord, such as: witnessing, praying, or ministering to the needs of the body of Christ?) (Haggai 1:4). We are to "be steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58). All earthly achievements or honors are temporary and fleeting. We are to run with purpose, not aimlessly (1 Corinthians 9:26). To win in our race, of our Christian life, we need discipline, focus and perseverance.
The ‘Crown of Glory’ is the third crown we will discuss. In 1 Peter 5:1-4, we read, “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” Those who are ‘examples to the flock’ would include pastors, elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers and ministry team leaders. The Greek word for 'glory’ is doxa. "The term (crown of glory) encompasses honor, splendor, radiance, reputation and the weight of intrinsic worth. It is used for divine majesty, the manifested presence of God, the exalted status of Christ, the goal of redemption and the believer's calling." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). Romans 5:2 reads, "Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." The joy we have from gaining access to God through Jesus' sacrifice is not dependent upon our circumstances. The knowledge, salvation, and eternal life we have through Jesus causes us great joy. This verse though reveals 'we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.' 'Hope' means confident expectation and 'glory' of God refers to the "ultimate fulfillment of God's plan including believer's glorification. Glorification is the final step in the process of salvation." (Bible Hub Study Bible). When we enter heaven - we will be fully conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:30). "The verb 'glory' means to exalt to a glorious condition. God will bring believers to a heavenly dignity and condition." (Bible Hub Study Bible). Praise God! The 'Crown of Glory ' will be ours on that day! When we enter into our heavenly reward, we will definitely not be the same as we were on earth. Romans 8:16 and 17 reveals, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
The ‘Crown of Glory' will never fade away and we receive an "allotted possession by right of son-ship." (Thayer's Greek Lexicon.) 2 Corinthians 3:18 reveals, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." "Across sixty-two New Testament occurrences the verb 'glory' sketches a unified theology: God is glorified in His saving works, Christ is glorified in His obedience and exaltation, the Spirit glorifies Christ, and believers glorify God both now and in their final transformation." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).
The fourth crown is, the 'Crown of Rejoicing' and will be awarded to those who bring others to Christ. “It is associated with leading others to Christ and encouraging one another in the Lord." (David Jeremiah). 1 Thessalonians 2: 18 and 19 (NKJV) reveals this truth, "Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? We also read in Philippians 4:1 (NIV), "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! “ Their faith and growth in Christ brought Paul great happiness and served as a reward for his ministry efforts. ‘Rejoicing' was translated from the Greek word kauchesis which means: boasting, glorying and pride. "It denotes rejoicing in what God has accomplished and taking legitimate pride in faithful believers." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).
The fifth crown we will look at today is the ‘Crown of Life.’ Revelation 2:10 BSB reads, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the 'crown of life.’" "The source of the persecution is the devil. The purpose of the testing is to refine and prove the genuineness of their faith. The 'ten days' indicates a limited time of intense trial. The number ten also signifies completeness or full measure. All suffering for believers is temporary and under God's control." (Bible Hub Bible Study). James 1:12 (BSB) reveals, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." 'Perseveres' means remaining under the load, bearing up (enduring). For the believer, this happens by God's power. Anyone who has kept the faith and encouraged others will receive the crown of life. Believers who maintain their love for Christ while fighting and triumphing over persecution, temptation and even martyrdom receive this crown.
Matthew 6:19 and 20 instructs, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." As believers, we need to prioritize spiritual actions that yield eternal rewards. to receive those rewards, we must exude faithfulness, obedience and perseverance.
The rewards God has promised believers can be an incentive for righteous living and for being steadfast in our faith. They can also provide hope and comfort to us as we endure the hard things.
Our receiving these heavenly rewards are the results of promises by God. It is wonderful to know God always keeps His promises and because of His great faithfulness, He is an anchor of hope for our souls.
I want to end our post today with these thoughts:
In Genesis 15:1 the Lord spoke these words to Abram, "I am your shield; your very great reward. “ HE is our reward! Pursue rewards, but I dare say, nothing will compare to the splendor, glory and majesty we will encounter when we come face to face with our Lord and Savior! I do not believe, at present, we have the capacity to even adequately imagine it!
"What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace...What a day, glorious day that will be." (The Hymn, "What A Day That Will Be" by Jim Hill, 1955).
Unless noted otherwise all Scripture is taken from the English Standard Version.
NKJV New King James Version
NIV New International Version
BSB Berean Standard Bible