Caretaker
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Some people will receive crowns in heaven as a special kind of reward for their sacrificial living while on earth. The twenty-four elders seated around God’s throne wear golden crowns and white garments (Revelation 4:4). While we don’t know the identity of these individuals or even exactly what the crowns represent, we do know these people overcame intense difficulties. The Greek word used for "crown" in this passage is stephanos: a victor’s crown.
Five different crowns are mentioned in Scripture:
The imperishable crown for those who exhibit disciplined lives (1 Corinthians 9:25–27).
25 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.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The crown of rejoicing for those who lead others to Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20, Philippians 4:1).
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?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
The crown of righteousness for those who love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
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.
The crown of glory for those who faithfully shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2–4).
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;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
The crown of life for those who overcome spiritual battles (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10).
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.
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.
The "Bema seat" (or judgment seat) was an elevated seat, located in Corinth. At this seat in the square, Roman magistrates would sit and administer justice. Athletes may also have appeared here and received rewards for having distinguished themselves.
If a person is unsaved and dies in their sin, they will be judged at the "great white throne judgment" following the Millennium. If a person is a born-again believer in Jesus, they will be judged at the "judgment seat of Christ." Salvation is not an issue at this judgment. Their sins have already been forgiven. A person might then ask, how will we be judged? and for what will we be judged?
At this judgment, we must give an account of our life and what we did or did not do for the Lord. The believer's service to God will be reviewed and rewarded. For his lack of service or doing certain things, he will suffer loss. We will be held responsible for the things we did in our body. Every hidden thing will be made known. Every secret thing we said will be proclaimed; nothing will be hid. All believers must appear before this judgment seat.
2 Cor. 5:
10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Romans 14:
10: But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11: For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
In the Book of Revelation chapter 4 we see 24 elders around the Throne of God, and wearing crowns. They kneel and cast their crowns before the throne:
Rev. 4:
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
12: So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Oh beloved for what would we seek crowns or rewards, or accolades, when one glorious day by faith in Christ, we can one day kneel at the Master's feet, behold those nail scarred Hands that were wounded by our own iniquity because of His love for us, and to know that we can dwell in His House forever and ever.
For the Believer the future awaits and is glorious beyond our wildest imaginations. We cannot even come close to feeling the over-whelming brightness and sheer joy which we will experience.
Those who reject Christ face one final judgement after death. They will be resurrected from the dead and stand before the Great White Throne, shown that their names are NOT found written in the Lamb's Book of Life, and join the beast and false prophet in the Lake of Fire. Their future dark and without hope.
Dearly Beloved the Lord Jesus Christ has paid the price in His own blood for our future. He has given us the road map of His Word to follow, and for those whose hearts receive Him He has thrown wide the gates of Heaven, and is waiting for that glorious day when He can assemble His children and pass out rewards, and take us into His Father's House.
Dear ones how fervently I desire that each of you will turn your hearts towards Christ, and place Him as the foundation of your future, receive your pardon which He has fully paid for, and prepare for a future beyond anything we can ever imagine!!!!
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A Servant of Christ,
Drew
1 Tim. 3:
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..
Posts: 3978 | From: Council Grove, KS USA | Registered: Jun 2002
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