The 5 Crowns Available of Every Believer!
By: Dr. Mike Jones
As I teach, write, and answer Theological/Biblical questions from across the globe, one theme I find somewhat constant in the mood of some of the saints, and believe it or not, it’s the same principle that we see in the Galatians 6:9 writings of the Apostle Paul, that we’re not to be weary, that we will reap in due season, if we faint not. In other words, pay day is coming for the true believer!
The Word of God declared in (2 Corinthians 3:14) “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” Let’s turn our attention to the FIVE CROWNS available to believers:
The first ONE is called: The ‘incorruptible crown’ – some refer to it as a crown of self-denial. This crown is located in 1st Corinthians 9:24-27, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? …”
I believe not every Christian will receive the crown of self-denial, because we are judged according to how hard we ‘try’ to accomplish what God has purposed for us: A Crown of Self-Denial is bestowed upon every believer who is willing to keep the flesh under control; willing to deny yourself; willing to live by mortifying the deeds of the flesh.
The second ONE is called: The Crown of Rejoicing — the ‘Soul Winner’s Crown’. In Philippians 4:1, “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord.”
The third ONE is the ‘Crown of Life’: In the Book of James 1:12 , the Word of God says, “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.”
The Lord Himself also speaks of the Crown of Life reward in Revelation 2:10, promising: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
So, what is this ‘Crown of Life’? It is a Crown for those believers who remain faithful to the Gospel, even under Persecution. [Today, the Gospel is watered down to ‘no persecution, no affliction from those that hate the things of God, etc. God wants YOU rich, and carefree!]
The fourth ONE is called the ‘Crown of Glory’: It’s NOT just the Pastor’s Crown, because of what the Apostle Peter stated in 1Peter 5:1-4. “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: …”
Finally, the fifth ONE is the Crown of Righteousness: In 2nd Timothy 4:8, the Word states, “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.” Simply put, the Crown of Righteousness means ‘a crown for doing right.’ The Apostle Paul points this out 2nd Timothy 4:7, when he says, “Because “I have loved the appearing of the Lord, I have fought a good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith.”
There are 3 Greek verbs in this statement: have fought; have finished; and have kept. These 3 equals Completion of one’s assignment!
Until the next issue: remember, He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31
(Adapted from my Teaching The Believer’s Crowns; all Scripture references are taken from the KJV unless otherwise noted.)