Do the scriptures teach that Christians get crowns and
rewards?
Well in this study we can have a look and see what the Lord
teaches you as you read His word regarding this interesting study.
Paul
writes in 1Cor 9:24 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 9 obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize 10 is
temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with
uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I
discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should
become disqualified.
So what is the crown like?
It’s imperishable
2Tim4:8 Says "Finally, there
is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have
loved His appearing."
It’s a crown of righteousness, notice too
that it's given on "That Day" the day of His appearing. See link here
on the 2Thess2:1
The crown of rejoicing
The next crown spoken of here is called
the crown of rejoicing.
1Thess 2 :17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in
presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great
desire.18 Therefore
we wanted to come to you–even I, Paul, time and again–but Satan hindered us.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?20 For you are our glory and joy.
This is for those who have been privileged enough to preach the good news (gospel) and get to see it’s result
on the day the Lord comes. They will see Mr smith or Mrs Jones whom they
preached to being gathering to meet the Lord in the Clouds at Christ
coming. This will be a crown of rejoicing.
The crown of life.
Rev 2:10 says this 10 “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.
See also James 1:12 Blessed
is the
man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the
crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
To those who love the Lord receive this
crown. What does this mean to those who don't?
Crowns for elders
1Pet5:1-4 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 compulsion 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.
The crowns of the 24 elders
Rev 4:9-11 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Here we see something to do with the eternal worship of God (Father & the Lamb). These 24 elders have crowns that have to do with speaking of God getting all the glory.
Who are the 24 Elders ? Off the top of my head I am guessing they are Fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles. But I have not given this any in depth study.
In Rev 5:8; 14 also speaks of the 24 elders worshiping He who sits on the throne, the Lamb and He who lives forever. see also Rev 7:9-17;11:15-19; 14:1-5; 19:1-5
Who are the 24 Elders ? Off the top of my head I am guessing they are Fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles. But I have not given this any in depth study.
In Rev 5:8; 14 also speaks of the 24 elders worshiping He who sits on the throne, the Lamb and He who lives forever. see also Rev 7:9-17;11:15-19; 14:1-5; 19:1-5
It has often been taught that all the crowns that we get from the Lord will be cast back to Him. Rev 4 is quoted. But I don't believe this speaks of anyone else eccept the 24 elders doing the casting of crowns.
