OUR HEAVENLY CROWN
I want to go to heaven when this life is over.
It is my hope that you want the same thing.
But we realize that in order to spend eternity with God in
heaven, we have to: 1) Obey the gospel (Act 2:38, Mark 16:16, etc.)
(Rom. 10:16, 2 Thess. 1:8, 1 Pet. 4:17 – all of which describe
the condemnation that awaits those who do NOT obey the gospel) and 2)
Remain faithful until we die (Matt. 10:22, Rev. 14:13, 2:10, etc.)
While in this life we face many struggles, trials and
tribulations. We know that
the way to heaven is not easy (Matt. 7:13-14) and we are engaged in a
spiritual battle (Eph. 6:10-18, 2 Cor. 10:3-5, etc.).
BUT, we are promised that if we endure to the end we will be
rewarded.
One of the ways that reward is described is as a crown.
In the English language the crown is usually associated with
regal rulership (such as a king or queen), or one who reigns (i.e. a
pageant winner).
However, in the New Testament Greek language there are 2 different words
translated crown. One has
reference to this regal rulership (only used 3 times – Rev. 12:3, 13:1,
19:12), but the other word has reference to a prize, (i.e. the victor’s
crown) or reward or honor given as the result of outstanding performance
(Louw-Nida, 57:121, Vine’s). [Or
mockingly in the case of our Lord as He was mocked while on trial –
Matt. 27:29, John 19:2, 5] The
latter is used far more often in the New Testament and has bearing on
our subject of discussion.
In fact, there are at least 5 different descriptions of this
crown we hope to receive.
These descriptions give us an understanding of how great it will be AND
the effort we need to exert to receive it.
Let us take a few moments and discuss these descriptions.
1 Corinthians 9:25, “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.”
In this text Paul is challenging his audience to faithfully
endure to the end. He is
describing how our life is like an endurance race that one does not take
lightly. To us this would be
the equivalent of the Olympics, where the best athletes in the world
devote their lives in preparation to win a medal.
In the Roman Empire, sporting events were very popular and those
who won were treated with high honors.
But in reality, all they received was a perishable crown, often
times, nothing more than some type of plant shaped into a wreath.
But Paul is challenging us as Christians to “compete” to finish
the race of life. We do it,
not for some glory in this life, or for something that will wilt, but
for our eternal reward in heaven.
Paul here described it as, “an
imperishable crown.”
Heaven is described as an eternal place where there will be no more
sorrows, tears, sickness, etc.
(Matt. 25:46, Rev. 21:4)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenged us to lay up for
ourselves treasures in heaven, “Where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in
and steal.” (Matt.6:19)
The disappointments we face in this life ought to “motivate” us to run
this race to win.
1 Thessalonians 2:19, “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?”
While absent from the brethren of Thessalonica because of
persecutions associated with the gospel, Paul writes to encourage these
brethren. He lets them know
that he earnestly desires to come and see them, though “Satan hindered
us” (2:18) Nevertheless,
that did not change his disposition concerning these brethren.
He spoke of the hope that he and they had of being in “the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.”
To Paul, and them, this was a source of joy or a “crown of
rejoicing.” In other words,
the thoughts of being in heaven with them caused him to smile and keep
going on. In this
expression, we find in heaven a place of rejoicing.
We are told that we will sing and praise God. (cf. Rev. 14:3,
15:3, etc.) Thinking
of heaven as a field with great pleasure, caused the one who stumbled
across it to with joy go and sell all that he had. Let the thoughts of
heaven bring joy to our weary souls in this life as we consider the even
greater joy that awaits us on the other side.
James 1:12,
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised
to those who love Him.”
James writes a very practical letter dealing with the conduct of the
godly. In encouraging us to
resist and overcome temptation there is the promise of reward.
The reward promised is described as, “the crown of life.”
This is our hope of living eternally with God.
Throughout scripture we are
warned of the consequences of sin.
Rom. 6:23 says, “For the
wages of sin is death.”
That death is separation from God.
When we sin, we are separated from Him (cf. Isa. 59:2).
IF we do not take care of our sins, that separation will be
eternal and in torments (Matt. 25:46).
Thankfully, Jesus died to pay the price for our sins.
Rom. 6:23b says, “But the
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Thus, if we remain faithful until death, we will receive the
crown of life. And that is
exactly what Revelation 2:10 says.
Thus the crown of life is eternal life with God.
In James 1:10 it is contrasted with the temporary nature of man
and the things of this earth.
We often hear of those who are fearful of death and of those who
want to live forever (or at least much longer than our allotted time
upon this earth). Such is not possible on this earth, BUT what awaits us
beyond this life is LIFE eternal (1 John 2:25).
But, it only comes to those who endure and overcome.
1 Peter 5:4, “and
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
that does not fade away.”
Speaking of elders fulfilling their responsibilities toward the
flock (local congregation) over which they have been entrusted to
oversee, Peter addresses the example of the Ultimate Shepherd, Jesus
Christ. The promise is made
that if they do their job properly, they will receive a “crown of glory.” We all
cannot be shepherds, but we all have abilities and responsibilities (cf.
Matt. 25:15, 1 Pet. 4:11, etc.) and if we are faithful in the execution
of whatever we are able to do we too can anticipate that same crown.
It is described as glorious which means something of honor.
When we think of glory, we think of that which is awesome and of
the highest quality. The
greatest example of glory is that of God Himself and His Son (Rev. 1:6,
Eph. 3:21, etc.) As to our
reward, this description reminds us that what we do on this earth will
NOT go unnoticed by Him. He
will exalt us and our treasure will be wonderful.
2 Cor. 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory.” As we strive to
think of heaven, we cannot possibly comprehend how grand it will be.
But we can rest assured, that if we are faithful and make it to
heaven, the wonder will be greater than anything we could imagine in
this life. It will be so
glorious that all we have endured will seem as nothing.
2 Timothy 4:8, “Finally,
there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but
also to all who have loved His appearing.”
As Paul’s life was reaching its conclusion, Paul was ready to go
and be with the Lord. The
reason is because he had been faithful to the end.
Therefore, he was ready to receive his “crown
of righteousness.” The
idea of righteousness is that of being right.
To the Christian the word is a challenge, because in one sense we
CANNOT be righteous – our sins prevent that from happening.
BUT Jesus, in His death, offered a sacrifice which appeased the
wrath of God and can blot out our sins when we come in contact with His
blood by obeying the gospel (2 Cor. 5:21, Eph. 2:13, 1 Pet. 1:18-19,
Heb. 9:14, Rom. 6:3-4).
Because of His righteous sacrifice, we can be forgiven (do NOT mistake
this for imputed righteousness).
On the other hand, we are expected to be faithful to God.
And when we are, we will do works of righteousness which will be
the basis of our receiving that crown (cf. 1 Cor. 15:34, Eph. 5:9, 6:14,
Jas. 5:16, etc.
Considering all that Jesus did for us, let us strive to do all we can
for Him, though it will never be enough (Eph. 2:8-10).