I've been musing over how I'm going to worship God when I see Him face-to-face. One of the familiar activities that we read from Scriptures, and sing about, is the casting of crowns at the feet of Jesus in worship. The crowns speak of one’s accomplishments or acts done by the grace of God as a result of responding to Jesus in faith and obedience. The elders cast their crowns before God because their crowns expressed their life of faithfulness and thus their reward in eternity.
Revelation 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.”
I often wonder, why crowns? I want to know... especially God does award his saints aka overcomers with crowns according to how they live and according to the things they will do for His name's sake, in this age, for the age-to-come. I don't want to enter the age-to-come poor and wretched and crown-less, when I could have done something about it. Hey, we are talking about eternity you know! Eternity!! Not just a 2-hour party, but eternity!!!
I reckon that in eternity, it will be crystal clear that Jesus is the most sought after Person by all. Every moment, people will be so consumed by Him, talking about Him... Everyone will be looking for gifts to offer to Him in worship when they meet Him. Like what we watch in those dramas, folks like to offer the most precious and premium gifts to please the king they meet face-to-face. Ooi...don't laugh! I'm trying to comprehend!! Comprehension, Lord! Strike my earthly puny little mind with Your truth!
And crowns will be the most premium stuff to bring. And... everyone will woo and wow cos they can SEE the crowns that you have... Probably you will be quite oblivious with all that attention because you will be in a love-hurry to meet your Beloved.... and when you cast the crowns before Jesus in worship, it's like saying to Him, "Jesus, remember what I (we!) went through and I (You!) kept my faith and I (You!) kept my heart pure in loving You... I remember You were there for me, I remember Your faithfulness and You gave me this crown, and now I say, it is worth it all... You are worth it all..." and then you cast the crown before Jesus... oh...mmm....
The bible talks about a few types of crowns we can receive in this age and the things we can do / walk-out to get it:
1) Crown of Life / The Martyr's Crown
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."
Revelation 2:10 ~ "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."
This crown is for those who keep on loving God through severe trials and temptations, and yes, even unto death... for the sake of the gospel. So take heart... endure! It's going to be worth it big time in eternity. Endure!! Do not fear! Be faithful...
2) Crown of Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:7-8 ~ "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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."
This is for those who are faithful in the race(s) in their life, not just in completing it, but through it all, loving Jesus and thus so lovesick and longing for His coming again.
3) Imperishable Crown / Incorruptible Crown
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 ~ "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."
2 Timothy 2:5 ~ "And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned (with the victor's crown) unless he competes according to the rules."
I'm not sure if this can be considered a category of crowns - cos I think all crowns are imperishable. Nevertheless, this verse, it teaches us to live our lives according to God's ways and not according to what we can or what we think we can. If God calls us to live a holy life, we certainly can, cos we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God! We will be rewarded for gaining significant victories over sin in our life as we resist temptation with endurance.
Many are called, few are chosen (say yes and do it). There will be challenges and sacrifices, but aren't these God's ways to prune us so that we can be more fruitful? Both in character and in ministry... Many have given up in this race, though gifted by the Lord, because they think 'it's too hard' or 'it's not worth it' or they hold on to too many 'baggages'. May we overcome by the grace of God and spur one another to keep going!
4) Crown of Gold / Crown of Glory / The Pastor's Crown
Revelation 4:4 ~ "Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads."
1 Pet 5:1-4 ~ "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."
This goes to the ministers who themselves live overcoming lives and faithfully shepherd their flock ...God cares for His people to be discipled and brought up in the way of the Lord! There'll be heartaches and sacrifices made in shepherding the flock, but God sees and He remembers, and your labor is not in vain...(1Cor 15:58)
5) Crown of Rejoicing / Soul Winner's Crown
1 Thess. 2:19-20 ~ "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is itnot even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy."
This is given to those who faithfully witness the saving grace of God and lead souls to Jesus, turning many to righteousness (Dan. 12:3). God will judge according to our faithfulness and openness in doing this, and not so much how many would respond to Him, for God is the One who will bring the increase and conviction in the hearts of man.
God esteems, remembers and rewards our works. All our obedience is forever remembered by God, therefore, our lives have great dignity even in the midst of the mundane and routine of life. May we live our lives worthy before Him, in a manner that He has exhorted us to live, and not according to the cap we have so subconsciously set for ourselves... Till the day we see Him face-to-face... Will I be facedown? or will I be dancing?... I can only imagine...
I asked, why so many different types of crowns? Are they of a different 'function' in worship? Someone said, cos our God is a creative God! Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment