The Five Crowns For Christians

 

The Five Crowns For Christians

     Today we look at five crowns that christians can receive for their good works on earth. Jesus told us at Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. These crowns will be received immediately after the rapture when saints meet Jesus at the bema judgment seat. At the bema judgment seat christians will be judged for their service and not for their sin. The judgment for sin occurs for unbelievers in Jesus at a later great white throne judgment. These five crowns are rewards that christians receive for their good works after their salvation. Jesus said at Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

     Remember good works don't save anyone. We do good works after salvation to let Jesus shine and be a good witness. Ephesians 2:8 tells us For by grace are ye saved through faith (not good works) and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. Get saved today by faith by repenting while you stop sinning, confessing Jesus to be God, and believing by faith with your heart the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again.  

     Notice that Ephesians 2:10 goes on to say For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (performed after salvation) which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. In other words our good works bring life to our faith and exalt Jesus for a blessed testimony to lost sinners. This is why James 2:20 says faith without works is dead. We don't work to be saved; We work because we are saved. I would not work my soul to save for this my Lord has done, but I would work like any slave for love of His dear Son.

1) The Crown Of Life

     First, the crown of life is the martyr's crown. It will be given to those who suffer persecution for Christ's sake. The crown of life is mentioned in two scriptures. Jesus told us at Revelation 2:10 Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. And James 1:12 tells us 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. 

     In other words, to receive the crown of life don't quit living for Jesus and keep enduring and abiding in our Lord Jesus. Every day deny your flesh by praying, reading your Word, and going to church. And remember you can receive anything in prayer if you daily abide in Jesus because you will ask for blessed things to exalt Jesus (not asking amiss in sin). Jesus promised us at John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. Brother Bob like Jesus reminds you to abide daily in Jesus because 1 John 2:28 tells us And now little children, abide in Him (Jesus), that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 

2) The Crown Of Glory

     Next we see the preacher's crown called the crown of glory. It will be for those who have faithfully taught Christ's teachings because of their love for Christ. 1 Peter 5:2-4 speaks about the preacher's crown of glory saying 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. 

     Preachers keep being faithful; Every week share blessed sermons and preach God's holy Word. Remember Proverbs 28:20 promises A faithful man shall abound with blessings. Don't be tempted and choose the fading pleasures of this world instead of preaching God's Word to lost sinners. The pleasures of sin are just for a season; But the pleasures with Jesus of seeing souls saved is forevermore. Rejoice and tell the Lord Jesus 1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 

3) The Crown Of Rejoicing

     The crown of rejoicing is the soul winners crown. It will be given to those who have won souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be a great reward just to see those whom we have won to Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 speaks about the crown of rejoicing saying 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. 

     Remember when one sinner repents and gets saved, there is rejoicing in heaven. Jesus said at Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Friends are you weeping and burdened about lost sinners around you going to hell for rejecting Jesus. Rejoice and remember the promise of Psalm 126:6 that says He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed (preaching God's Word to save souls), shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (lost souls saved for Jesus) with him. 

     Remember the first and last words of Jesus were about winning lost souls to Jesus. The first words from Jesus to His disciples about soul winning were at Matthew 4:19 Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.  And the last words from Jesus to His disciples about soul winning were at Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses (soul winners for Jesus) unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

     The last thing Jesus did on this earth while he was alive was win a lost soul ignoring the pain and suffering of the cross while a dying thief got saved. Therefore don't let anything stop you from witnessing Jesus to lost sinners. Hebrews 12:3 tells us For consider Him (Jesus) that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Galatians 6:9 says And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

     Let's all be souls winners for Jesus. Let's have compassion and care about lost souls around us. Jude 22 reminds us And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Let's obey Jesus and go into the highways and hedges, compelling them to come in, that Jesus' house of saved people can be full. I pray in Jesus name that James 5:20 would encourage everyone to win souls to Jesus; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

4) The Crown Of Righteousness

     The crown of righteousness is given to those who are looking for the appearing of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 4:8 speaks about the crown of righteousness saying 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. 

     In other words anyone that rejoices in the blessed hope (the glorious appearing in the clouds of our great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ) shall receive a crown of righteousness. Titus 2:12-13 talks about the blessed hope saying Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. 

     After Jesus appears in the clouds, saved christians will be caught up to meet the Lord Jesus in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord, I aint looking for the antichrist; I'm looking for the Christ. Let's all rejoice about this blessed hope and receive a crown of righteousness according to Romans 5:1-2 that says Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope (the blessed hope) of the glory of God.

5) The Incorruptible Crown

          The incorruptible crown is the victor's crown. It is for those who daily keep their body in subjection to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is for those who do not yield to fleshly lusts. It is for those who do not let worldly amusements and pleasures interrupt or interfere with God's work. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 speaks about the incorruptible crown saying 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. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air; But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

     I believe the incorruptible crown is Jesus' favorite crown. This incorruptible crown never fades or gets tarnished. This incorruptible crown never needs to be polished and remains brilliant forever. Jesus will give this incorruptible crown to the dedicated christians on this earth that always kept witnessing about Jesus. These faithful christians might not have been noticed on earth, but they will always be remembered by a never fading incorruptible crown in heaven seen by everyone. Truly many on earth that are first will be last but the few dedicated christians for Jesus who are last on this earth will be first forever in heaven. Daniel 12:3 promises And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

     I pray in Jesus name that this little bible study about the five crowns for christians blesses multitudes on this earth with great peace, joy, and strength. Feel free to contact Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone be blessed in Jesus name.