Part 2
Yesterday we looked at two of the crowns to be given in glory to faithful Christians.  We looked at the Crown of Righteousness and the Incorruptible Crown. Today we will finish off with the other three crowns.

The Crown of Life: This next crown has been called by many the “martyr’s crown.” Jesus Himself says that He will give this crown to those who undergo severe hardship, testing, tribulation, and/or physical death on His behalf. This crown is reserved for those that have stood firm through trials without giving up or losing hope.
Certainly there is no question that being willing to die for your faith in God and Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice! “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the CROWN OF LIFE” (Revelation 2:10).

The Crown of Rejoicing: The apostle Paul is calling those he has saved his “joy” and his “crown of rejoicing.” This crown is our crown for all of eternity, it is the ability to rejoice and spend eternity praising God for all He has accomplished on earth and in heaven. If I read this right this is mostly likely the crown that we will all be wearing in heaven and offering daily to him for all eternity.  “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? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

The Crown of Glory: Peter describes a crown given to the shepherds who lead the flock into the ways and knowledge of God. They are teachers. These could be the Sunday school teachers, the pastors and ministers who teach the Word of God in their ministries, or people who are appointed by God into the office of a teacher. God is always looking for teachers and shepherds to help teach and educate His flock. “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed. SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:1-4).

In conclusion: Everything about Him, His ways, and His personality is all maximum greatness. His love for all of us is maximum concentration. His goodness, mercy, compassion, and understanding are all maximum proportion. If there is one thought or realization that you will come away with after reading about God the Father in the Bible – is that He is God of maximum power! So if everything about God the Father is of maximum intensity. As a result, these rewards will completely surpass any rewards, blessings, or earthly wealth that you can get down here on this earth. There will be no comparison whatsoever!

This is why it will really be worth our efforts to fully surrender our entire life over to God.  Let Him make the calls on what He wants to do with your life. It is never too late to completely turn your entire life over to God the Father and let Him do what He wants with it until He takes you home to eternity.

Lynne Jahns
Christian Counselor