Five heavenly crowns await believers in Heaven. They are a reward based on what we do here on earth (according to our labor here for the Lord). Jesus will recompense everyone according to their deeds. Crowns will be given to some people for different levels of service. (Matthew 16:27, 1 Corinthians 3:8 and Revelation 22:12)
“There Are No Crown-Wearers in Heaven Who Were Not Cross-Bearers Here Below.” Charles Spurgeon [1834-1892]
When we all get to Heaven, we will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for our works done in this world, both good and bad. As believers, in order to enter Heaven, we will be counted as righteous because of our faith in Jesus, but we will then receive rewards and heavenly crowns for our faithfulness and good works in this world.
1 Corinthians 3:8-15 NKJV
(8)Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
(9)For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
(10)According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
(11)For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(12)Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
(13)each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
(14)If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
(15)If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
(2 Corinthians 5:10-11)
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written:
“As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”[ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
(Romans 14:10-12)
Book of Revelation
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18 NKJV)
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (Revelation 22:12 NKJV)
Imperishable Crown/Incorruptible Crown/Victor’s Crown/Crown of Victory
For those who disciplined their bodies, and brought their bodies unto subjection and had self-control. For spiritual discipline and self-control.
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 [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24‑27 NKJV)
Crown of Rejoicing/Soul Winner’s Crown
For believer’s who were obeying Jesus’ Great Commission – leading others to accept Christ by sharing the Gospel of repentance and salvation.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV)
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? (1 Thessalonians 2:19 NKJV)
Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3 NKJV)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30)
Crown of Righteousness/The Watcher’s Crown
For loving (longing for) the Lord’s appearing. This crown is for those believers who were ready & waiting for the return of Jesus — all those who have loved His appearing.
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. (2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV)
We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ, which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20 NKJV)
Through our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity. This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.
Crown of Glory/Elder’s Crown
This Crown is for those Leaders, Pastors, Elders, Teachers who were Godly examples to the Flock of Believers entrusted and assigned to their care.
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19 NKJV)
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. (1 Peter 5:2-4 NKJV)
Crown of Life/Martyr’s Crown
This crown is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who patiently endure sufferings, testing, temptations, and trials, and who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, and were faithful unto death.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV)
James tells us this crown is for all those who love Jesus.
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. (James 1:12 NKJV)
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 NKJV)
The question then is how do we demonstrate our love for God? The apostle John answers this for us.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
(1 John 5:3 NKJV)
As His children, we must keep His commandments, obeying Him, always remaining faithful. So, we endure the inevitable trials, pains, heartaches, and tribulations — as long as we live — may we ever move forward, always looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV) and receive the crown of life that awaits us.
Warnings About Crowns and Rewards
- Do not let anyone take your crown. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:11 NKJV)
- Do not let anyone deceive you into forfeiting your crown or reward. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we[fn] may receive a full reward. (2 John 1:7‑8 NKJV)
- Do not do your good deeds with wrong (self-centered or otherwise impure) motives. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. (Matthew 6:2 NKJV)
- And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. (Matthew 6:5 NKJV)
- Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. (Matthew 6:16 NKJV)
Five Crowns & Rewards In Heaven
Crowns of Reward in Heaven
Complacency Kills
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