Dear Brethren,
What will it mean to have a crown in God’s Kingdom? One thing that we in God’s Church must understand is that we are not now being called only for salvation. God has not selected us just so that we can be assured of being in His Kingdom. The true brethren in God’s Church have been called for a very special function. That reason is for the purpose of reigning with Jesus Christ throughout the millennium to take part in bringing others to salvation. That is what our crown is all about.
Revelation 5:10 [Jesus] hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
The Holy Scriptures speak of our having a crown in the next life. The problem that we sometime make in this commonplace world is in seriously underestimating the significance of our role in the Kingdom of God. We are not even in kindergarten now compared to what it will be like as spiritual beings in the world tomorrow.
1 Corinthians 2:9 As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Historically, a crown has been a symbol of rulership. Our future crown will represent our qualifications to rightly represent the way of God’s Kingdom on this earth. Our crown will mean that we have the authority to serve as agents for Christ. Only those who are crowned will meet God’s qualifying prerequisite to say, “This is the way walk ye in it.”
Isaiah 30:20-21 Your eyes shall see thy teachers: And your ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Our crown is about the standing we will have in God’s Kingdom. We are warned to take this matter very seriously. It is possible to lose our crowns – we can be disqualified.
Those who cannot wait to be in control of others will never be in charge. God does not work that way. The Kingdom is not about being ‘Boss’ over others. It is not about wanting and being able to tell other people what to do – and having it our way. Having a crown is about being able and willing to stand on our own two feet, while remaining as meek and humble as Jesus is. Now, that is a monumental task!
But it is a false humility to say, “I don’t care if I have a crown or not, just as long as I’m in the Kingdom of God.” I’ve heard folks say that they would be happy to be a door-keeper in the Kingdom, and nothing more.
Some have erroneously concluded that you can lose your crown and still attain unto salvation. So the question becomes, is anyone able to reign with Christ without a crown? Jesus says that He works and his Father works (John 5:17). What kind of work would they be doing for a thousand years if they were unqualified to reign with Christ? What would they be doing with their time, sleeping and loafing? There is a purpose in the Church brethren being called now.
Our Christian walk is all about overcoming in this age. If we refuse to be overcomers, how will we ever be able to teach others to be overcomers? Jesus said:
John 16:33 … In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (Revelation 3:21).
1 Corinthians 9:25 Every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible crown.
1 Peter 5:4 When the chief Shepherd
shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. [We
will be joint-heirs with Christ] (Romans 8:17)
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
We inherit the Kingdom – not just a place in it – but a position of reigning in the Kingdom we have inherited with Jesus Christ.
Revelation 2:10 … be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
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Sermon: |
"Our Crown" |
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