There are five crowns available to us that are spoken of in God’s Word. There may in fact be more, but the Bible mentions only these five. The crown of righteousness in 2 Timothy 4:8, the crown of life in James 3:3, the crown of glory in 1 Peter 5:2-4, the crown of rejoicing in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, and the crown of the martyr (also called the crown of life) in Revelation 2:10. These five crowns are only available in one place and during one occasion: our time here on earth There are no crown shoppes in Heaven.
“So what, ” we might say, “I don’t need any crowns.”
As Long as I Get to Heaven, I’ll Be Happy
Have you ever said that? I know I have. I even went as far to say that I would be happy cleaning the toilets in Heaven, just as long as I get there. The truth is that if I do wind-up cleaning heavenly toilets (not that there are any), I will be eternally happy, but we should know that God has so much more in store for us.
The crowns we obtain on earth designate what it is we will be doing in heaven and for our Lord. While it’s true we cast them at the feet of Jesus, the removing of our hat(s) in no way diminishes that which we have achieved by God’s grace. Does a five star general lose his position when he removes his ‘general hat’ when he is before the president of the United States? Certainly not. The hat is removed in respect for the one who is in charge and to the one who provides his power and authority. In the casting of our crowns we are making similar declarations, but to a much greater degree.
Still Not Sure?
Are you still not sure we should be striving for crowns on earth? The Apostle Paul would remind us, that whether we like it or not, we (Christians) are in the game so, we might as well play to win. This ultimate prize is everlasting.
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 in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown…press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Philippians 3:14
God’s Plan Revealed
God’s plan is outlined in the last sentence of today’s passage. In case there was any doubt whatsoever, His creation was designed for worship and for His own pleasure. To the degree we can do this now is to the same degree we can experience Heaven on earth as we patiently wait to be with Him forever.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven…And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 and 16:10
He Dwells -- The B'log in My Eye 