THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #182 | THE LIFE OF MOSES #163
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3868
THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS #182
THE LIFE OF MOSES #163
MOSES AT MT.SINAI#62
THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES ( Part 21)
THE GOLDEN FRONTLET ON THE HIGH PRIEST'S HEAD: HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD #3
The 5 Heavenly Crowns of Believers( Part 1 )
Let us study the first 2 crowns today and the remaining 3 tomorrow.
There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers.
They are listed below:
1. The imperishable crown,
2. The crown of rejoicing,
3. The crown of righteousness,
4. The crown of glory, and
5. The crown of life.
The Greek word translated “crown” is Stephanos (the source for the name Stephen the martyr) and means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.”
Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest. As such, this word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful.
Paul’s passage in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 best defines for us how these crowns are awarded.
1) The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (NKJV).
All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19).
This is analogous to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
2) The Crown of Rejoicing – (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?”
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us.
As Christians, we have more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else.
Luke tells us there is rejoicing even now in heaven (Luke 15:7).
The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
N.B.
Tomorrow we shall study the crown of righteousness, life and glory.
