Dear Friends,
Christians wi1l be rewarded for their faithfulness in doing the
good works God ordained for them to do. Likewise, for the
unfaithful and foolish Christians, the Judgement Seat will be a
time of great disappointment:
“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade
men...” (II Corinthians 5:11)
Agape,
Michael C.
The Church loves to hear sermons on the love of God, but few
pastors and teachers are brave enough to talk about the “terror
of the Lord.” The Judgement Seat of Christ will not be a
pleasant experience for those Christians who have been living
unfaithful lives. All deeds, true motives and designs will be laid
bare before the Lord. The Christian “Ministry” of many
believers will be revealed as a means to further their own
personal aspirations of wealth and fame rather than bringing
glory to the Lord.
Now is the time all Christians should be living their lives in view
of the Judgement Seat of Christ and the rewards (Crowns) that
can be earned for their faithful lives. Jesus warned us ahead of
time that many will try to take these crowns from the believers:
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown." (Revelation 3:11)
Jesus was telling his Church to hold on to that "which thou hast"
so that it would not lose their Crowns. The Word of God shows
there are five different Crowns that are possible for Christians to
earn. All Christians should be earnestly striving for these
rewards so that they may cast them unto Jesus in the very near
future:
"The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat
on the throne and worship him that liveth forever and
ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
"Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy
pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev. 4:10-11)
What a glorious day that will be when we are able to worship
our great God! Will you have crowns to lay at His feet? Let's see
what the five possible crowns are and how they can be obtained.
CROWN
OF LIFE
"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." (James 1:12)
The Crown of Life is the first and basic crown. It is given to
those Christians who truly love Jesus. Because they love Him,
they are faithful to Him. When trials and tests arrive in their
lives, they remain true to Him. They are overcomers who endure
temptations and win this crown for remaining faithful to Jesus.
INCORRUPTIBLE
CROWN
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but
one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 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... But I keep my
body and bring it into subjection...lest I be a castaway."
(I Corinthians 9:24-25)
The Incorruptible Crown is awarded to the Christian who wins
the spiritual race that is set before each believer. It is a daily race
in which the sins of the flesh must be put off by allowing the
Holy Spirit to take control. It is not won until the race is over,
and even the Apostle Paul was concerned that he might not win
this prize. Yes, even Paul was concerned that he might be a
castaway. This should be a lesson for everyone who says it
doesn’t matter how you live after you are saved. Even the great
Apostle Paul was concerned for his own life. To win this crown, the believer must be successful in "crucifying
the flesh," as is described in Galatians 5:16, 19-26, and by
turning from the things of this world.
CROWN OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I
have kept the faith: 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."
(II Timothy 4:7-8)
The Crown of Righteousness is the next level of reward. It is
given for keeping the true faith, i.e., keeping God's Word.
Directly associated with keeping the faith is "loving his
appearing.” Living in the endtime, you would think that all
Christians would receive this crown. And yet, very few modern
day Christians even care to discuss the return of the Lord. Paul is
saying that those Christians who are alert, and anxiously looking
for the Lord to return, are the ones who are keeping the faith.
Those who long for that great day are given the wonderful
promise of receiving the Crown of Righteousness.
The Judgement Seat of Christ
CROWN OF
REJOICING
"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." (I Thessalonians 2:19-20)
The last two crowns may be the highest rewards of the five
crowns. The Crown of Rejoicing is also known as the soul
winner’s crown.
In the above verse, Paul was referring to the very faithful
Christians from Thessalonica. Paul was instrumental in helping
them become faithful Christians who were counted worthy of
entering the Kingdom. Because of this, they are seen as holy
evidence before Jesus Christ at His return. Their faithfulness to
this high calling provided their entrance into the Kingdom, and
as a result, Paul saw their faithful lives as a Crown of Rejoicing
when the Lord returns.
Likewise, those Christians who teach others and lead others into
a deeper relationship with Jesus will also receive the Crown of
Rejoicing when the Lord comes. While winning people into a
saving knowledge of Christ is important, this crown is given to
those who are actually helping other Christians to become
faithful disciples, and thereby helping them to gain their own
entrance into the coming Kingdom.
Solomon put it this way:
“...he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30 – NKJ
“...he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30 – NKJ
THE KINGDOM CROWN
OF
GLORY
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care,
serving as overseers, not because you must, but because
you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for
money but eager to serve; not lording it over those
entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the
crown of glory that will never fade away." (I Pet.5:2-4)
The Crown of Glory is given to the faithful under-shepherd who
properly feeds the sheep. This is any Christian who has matured
in the faith and who is teaching others the true teachings from
the Word of God. When Jesus comes, they will receive the
Crown of Glory. Let’s briefly review the five possible Crowns
and how they are earned:
THE 5 CROWNS
CROWN OF LIFE
Be faithful, be baptized and patiently endure the present
trials and testings in life. Die to self.
INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN
Be filled with the Spirit. Put off fleshly desires.
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Mature in the Word. Keep the faith. Love His appearing.
CROWN OF REJOICING
Be a soul winner. Lead other Christians into a deeper
relationship with Jesus, helping them gain the Kingdom.
CROWN OF GLORY
Learn the Scriptures. Nourish the flock of God with the
deeper truths from God's Word.