What are the 5 Heavenly Crowns For Overcomers?
1.) The Incorruptible Crown
In 1 Cor 9:24 Paul has been speaking of service, of his own call to preach the gospel, and of the importance of faithfully fulfilling his ministry. Then he uses the striking illustration of these closing verses:
It is not eternal salvation of which he speaks. We do not obtain the gift of God—eternal life—by diligence or by “running.”
(Rom 9:16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
We are, as Christians, running a race. We are contending in the arena. And for the victors there are fairer crowns than ever were bestowed on the winners in the Olympic Games or on the battlefields of earth. Let us then see to it that we so run that we may obtain the reward.
In the next verse he goes on to remind them that “every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” The youth who would win the race is careful to subdue his natural appetites, to “train down” to the proper weight, to hold himself in check lest by self-indulgence on any line he unfit himself for the contest.
I Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
I Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain acorruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
In a fewhours the laurel wreath will fade or the metallic circle tarnish and corrode. We are striving for an imperishable prize, a crown that is incorruptible.
All believers who die will be raised in the first resurrection to incorruptibility (as 1 Corinthians 15 assures us), but the incorruptible crown is the prize for faithfully running the Christian race. It is the Master’s “Well done!” at the end of the course.
Seeking the Lord’s Approval
With such a reward in view, what an incentive do I have for holy living—for self-denying devotion to Into this Paul himself fully entered. He says:Christ.
I Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that
I Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: anymeans, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.by
This last word is the negative form of the word that means “approved.” It means therefore “disapproved,” or “rejected.”
The apostle covets above all else the Lord’s approval. He would receive the victor’s incorruptible wreath at the hands of Him who once wore the crown of thorns. With this in view he will not permit the body to be master. He will hold its tendencies in check that he may not by any possibility bring dishonor on his Lord’s name through any carnal indulgence, and so miss His approbation at last.
How many a one has preached to others who has been set aside as a servant and—in some instances—proves utterly unworthy even to bear the name of Christian because he has not held his body under but has given way to fleshly lusts and passions which war against the soul.
To preach well is but to increase one’s condemnation if one does not live well. Like the clean beasts of old, mouth and foot must agree, speech and walk must both be according to godliness, if one would win the crown.
The race may seem long, and the way rough and difficult, but the reward is sure for him who keeps his eye on Christ and follows on in the footprints He has left on the wilderness road. To save one’s life is to lose it. To lose it now for His name’s sake is to keep it unto life eternal, and thus to win the incorruptible crown.
2.) The Crown of Rejoicing
I Thessalonians 2:19 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?
I Thessalonians 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.
Daniel 12:3 says, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as
The crown of rejoicing is sometimes called "the soul winner's crown." You can see why from this text. The apostle Paul looked upon those he had won to Christ as his crown -- his "crown of rejoicing." Remember that song we used to sing in church? "Will there be any stars in my crown?" What was that all about anyway? starsfor ever and ever."
Paul felt the same way about those he had won to Christ in Philippi. "Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!"
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
People whom we influence for Christ are our crown, our joy, our glory. Is that how you view people? You should. Paul did. "Will there be any stars in my crown?" Yes, I believe there will be. This is just one more reason why every Christian should support missions.Some day when we are in Heaven someone will come up to us and say, "Thank you for coming to my or country to tell me about Jesus." Or, "Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a soul that was saved because you gave of your money to send someone to me." Let us do all that we can to "turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever," amen!
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3.) The Crown of Life
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
James 1:12 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.
We are told that those who remain steadfast under trial will be blessed to receive the crown of life promised to those who love God (James 1:12). This wording closely matches Jesus’ statement in
Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
This verse provides a corrective to those who might think that James is not very concerned with theology, for here we see that he has much to say about the doctrine of perseverance. Only those who pass through trials with steadfastness will inherit eternal life. Only those who stand firm through these things will be saved.
This is not to say that in the final analysis salvation rests on our ability. The Bible clearly shows that we cannot save ourselves and that only the sovereign electing and preserving grace of God will bring us into His presence thymercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
Psalms. 69:13–15
v.13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude
v.14 Deliver me out ofthemire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
v.15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
Romans 8:29–30
v. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
v. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: of
Nevertheless, the presence of God’s electing grace in our lives is demonstrated by the fact that we cling to Him in our trials. We know that we have true faith only as we work out our salvation in fear and trembling, resting our hope of salvation on Christ alone
Philippians 2:12–13.
Those who face trials and in the end fall away demonstrate that they never had true faith from the beginning. On the other hand, those with true faith heed this teaching. They will be able to count it joy when their faith is tested because they know such tests will produce steadfastness
James 1:2–4
v.2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
v.3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
v.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
They will ask God for wisdom without doubting (James 5–8) so that they will be able to pass through the trials brought by poverty or by riches. As James has already shown us, and will further explain, authentic faith deals with affliction by persevering, ever-clinging to Christ in the midst of trial.
v.5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
v.6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he thatwavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
v.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
v.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
4.) The Crown of Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:8 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.
We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. Through our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity
Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.
5.) The Crown Of Glory
2 Peter 5:2-5
v. 2 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;
v. 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
v. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Though Peter is addressing the elders, we must also remember that the crown will be awarded to all those who long for or love His appearing. This word “glory” is an interesting word referring to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His great splendor and brightness. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God
Acts 7:55-56
v. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
v. 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Sonofman standing on the right hand of God.
This word "glory" also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is
Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isaiah 48:11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
Galatians 1:5 Towhom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself. For as Paul so eloquently put it,
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
