HEAVENSREEF

WITH TODAY BEING SEPTEMBER 11TH, LET US REMEMBER ALL THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE TWIN TOWERS AND ALL THOSE BRAVE SOULS WHO RAN TOWARDS THE TOWERS WHEN OTHERS WERE RUNNING AWAY!  TODAY MANY ARE WEARING CROWNS.

JESUS CHRIST wore a crown of thorns on HIS sweet head long ago and HE did it all for me and all for you!

MATTHEW 28-29 “THEY STRIPPED HIM AND PUT A SCARLET ROBE ON HIM, AND THEN TWISTED TOGETHER A CROWN OF THORNS AND SET IT ON HIS HEAD.”

All this was done to mock HIM.  The soldiers had no idea who they were standing before……a true KING.  Our KING of KINGS now wears an imperishable Crown of glory for all of eternity.  HE alone is worthy of that Crown.

If you think of it, there really is something about wearing a crown…….. 

 

I have to wonder what the crowns in heaven will look like…….I am sure the word beautiful doesn’t describe them.  But I am certain they are there because scripture tells us so……

REVELATION 4:10 – 11 “THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS FALL DOWN BEFORE HIM WHO IS SEATED ON THE THRONE AND WORSHIP HIM WHO LIVES FOREVER AND EVER.  THEY CAST THEIR CROWNS BEFORE THE THRONE, SAYING, WORTHY ARE YOU, OUR LORD AND GOD TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER……”

Our LORD is seated on the throne of grace wearing the proper crown of royalty.  And there will be 5 different crowns given as rewards in heaven to those who have served and followed JESUS.

The following is a list of 5 Crowns, in no special order and the scripture that relates to them.  I also found the Bible mentions Crowns or Crowned often.  Remember, if something is mentioned over and over, we need to pay attention!

The first Crown is the incorruptible Crown or imperishable Crown reserved for those who run the race faithfully and sacrifice every selfish desire even if it means a missionary role.

1 Corinthians 9: 24-25 “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way to win the prize.  Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything.  They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.”

The second Crown is the Crown of rejoicing reserved for those who have witnessed to others and have led people to CHRIST.  It is also called the Soul winners Crown.

1 Thessalonians 2: 19 & 20 “For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our LORD JESUS at HIS coming?  Is it not you?  Indeed you are our glory and joy!”

The third Crown is the Crown of life also called the martyr’s Crown given to those who endure trials, tribulations and severe suffering, even unto death.

Revelation 2: 10 “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the Crown of life.”

James 1: 12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which GOD has promised to those who love HIM.”

The fourth Crown is the Crown of righteousness reserved for those who anxiously await and look forward to HIS return.  It is also reserved for those who have lived a good and righteous life here on earth.

2 Timothy 4: 8 “There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous JUDGE, will give me on that day, not only to me, but to all those who have loved HIS appearing.”

And the fifth Crown is the Crown of glory.  This is the Pastor’s Crown given to ministers who faithfully feed and lead the flock of GOD.

1 Peter 5: 2-4 “Shepherd the flock of GOD that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as GOD would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.  And when the chief SHEPHERD appears, you will receive the unfading Crown of glory.”

Our spiritual wardrobe begins here and now, on the earth.  We can clothe ourselves in righteousness, fairness, goodness and humility.  Our belt of truth can be worn for peace and the Gospel.  The shield of faith shines bright with those who believe through all of earth’s trials and tribulations.  

Isn’t if fitting then that we will receive those crowns?  But we live in the here and now, and we walk in faith following JESUS CHRIST and we are HIS disciples to spread the good news of the Gospel.  Let us be thankful that GOD writes our stories and they are not over yet!  We are living now as HIS royal priesthood……. 

1 PETER 2:9 “BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR HIS POSSESSION SO THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE PRAISES OF THE ONE WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT.”

We are in the LORD’S hand…….now and for all of eternity and HE sees us like this:

ISAIAH 62: 3 “YOU WILL BE A GLORIOUS CROWN IN THE LORD’S HAND, AND A ROYAL DIADEM IN THE PALM OF YOUR GOD’S HAND.”

If you are like me, I don’t feel that I deserve any of these crowns right now because I am a sinner, but this is exactly why CHRIST came and that crown of thorns HE wore to the Cross carried all of our sins. And HIS exchange, HIS life for mine and HIS life for you, can only be seen for the incredible grace that it is.  JESUS currently sits on the throne of Heaven, so remember, HIS Crown of thorns was willingly exchanged for all our future crowns of everlasting and amazing glory!

HEBREWS 2: 7-8 “YOU MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; YOU HAVE CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, PUTTING EVERYTHING IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.”