Crowns

Crowns are eternal rewards given by Jesus Christ to resurrected believers and are indicative of reward for the believer who has logged time in fellowship and has operated as unto the Lord.

The Crown of Righteousness is related to governmental rulership in heaven and is open to all believers for faithfulness in their spiritual lives and consistency in learning and applying Bible doctrine. This reward seems to be related to a believer who possesses a completed edification complex of the soul with a large amount of Bible doctrine in their right lobe. 2 Tim. 4:7-8.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NASB)

The Crown of Joy refers to believers with spiritual maturity that have helped other believers based on grace and applying Bible doctrine in their souls and have also won souls for Christ. Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:17; 1 Thess. 2:19.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.”  (Philippians 4:1, NASB)

“But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face.”  (1 Thessalonians 2:17, NASB)

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?”  (1 Thessalonians 2:19, NASB)

The Crown of Glory refers to the believer’s reflection of or shining forth of the thinking of Jesus Christ in their spiritual life which glorifies Jesus Christ. This crown specifically refers to eternal rewards for pastor-teachers with spiritual maturity who have been unfading in their day by day commitment to studying the Word and to teaching their flock the food of the soul. 1 Peter 5:2-4.

“shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”  (1 Peter 5:2-4, NASB)

The Crown of Life is for those who endure terrific testing and temptation and yet have stayed occupied with the person of Jesus Christ. This is maximum endurance and use of faith-rest. Rev. 2:10; James 1:12.

“‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  (Revelation 2:10, NASB)

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  (James 1:12, NASB)

The Crown of Thorns does not refer to rewards for Church Age believers. This crown speaks of the Lord bearing the physical torture and abuse just prior to His crucifixion. Matt. 27:29.

“And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”“  (Matthew 27:29, NASB)

The Incorruptible Crown refers to the nature of the spiritual rewards that never fade away or perish like the Roman wreath. 1 Cor. 9:25.

“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”  (1 Corinthians 9:25, NASB)

Many Crowns or diadems as in Revelation 19:12 and is used to describe our Lord Jesus Christ at His Second Advent.

“His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.”  (Revelation 19:12, NASB)

This is not an exhaustive study of crowns or rewards. We must be concerned about the intake of Bible doctrine. Rewards of this nature are based on the utilization of the grace of God, not on human merit and human ability. See category on Rewards.