Learning about the Heavenly Crown
The Bible describes the reward of heaven for the children of God as a heavenly crown. Crowns indicate royalty. When David conquered the city of Rabbah, he took the crown from the head of the defeated king to keep for himself. It was a very impressive crown, “the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones” (2 Sam. 12:30). When Esther was chosen to be queen by King Ahasuerus, “he set the royal crown upon her head” (Esther 2:17). Thus, it should be no surprise that God will reward His children with royal crowns, since the Bible describes Jesus Christ “hath made us kings…unto God and His Father” (Rev. 1:5-6). Crowns also illustrate prestige and honor. Mordecai was privileged to wear the crown for the day at the expense of Haman’s suggestion (Esther 6:8). He later gained a crown of his own after Haman’s death when King Ahasuerus exalted him (Esther 8:15). In addition, crowns suggest value. “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband” (Prov. 12:4). Grandchildren are as crowns to their grandparents (Prov. 17:6). Paul even described the Philippian brethren as crowns to him (Phil. 4:1). Let us notice a closer description of this heavenly crown that the children of God will inherit one day.
Heavenly Crown?
This heavenly crown is a crown of incorruptibility. Paul said, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Cor. 9:25). It is incorruptible because nothing corruptible will be in heaven. Those who inherit heaven are born of incorruptible seed (1 Pet. 1:23). Our inheritance is classified as incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:4), and at that great last day, our bodies will be raised incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:52).
This heavenly crown is a crown of righteousness. Among the closing words of the life of Paul, he said, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8). It is righteous because only the righteous will have the right to wear it (Rom. 1:16-17). Jesus Christ, the righteous judge, will give it to those who have sought first His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).
This heavenly crown is a crown of life. James said, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). Jesus told the church at Smyrna, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). It is one of eternal life, because there will be no death in heaven (Rev. 21:4).
This heavenly crown is a crown of glory. Peter said, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Pet. 5:4). It is one of glory because the one who gives it is full of glory (John 1:14). We will be in the presence of our glorious God, the one who epitomizes glory and was crowned with glory (Heb. 2:9).
Satan and his angels are doing everything within their power to rob us of our heavenly crown. May we all heed the words of Jesus as He said, “Behold, I come quickly: hold thou fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11).