1. Crown of life - Rev. 2:10; James 1:12 - This is the martyr's crown - This crown is given to those that died as a martyr for Jesus. This is a blessed crown to win.
Also, This crown is given to those that suffer for Christ.
2. Crown of glory - 1 Peter 5:4 - This crown is given to those who faithfully feed the sheep.
3. Crown of righteousness - 2 Tim. 4:8 - this crown is given to those who are eagerly expecting the appearing of Jesus. This crown is mine! I know I'm going to get this crown - for sure! It may be the only crown I receive, but I can say with Paul "I love His appearing." So this is the crown that is given to those who "love His appearing."
4. Crown of rejoicing - 1 Thess. 2:19; Phil. 4:1 - This is the soul winner crown for those who lead people to faith in Jesus.
5. Incorruptible crown - 1 Cor. 9:24-25 - This crown is given to those who faithfully run the course.
We not only will receive crowns in Heaven, but rewards too.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
This is the Bema Seat or judgement seat of Jesus, that every believer will stand before. The believer's works will be judged here, not their sins, for the sins of the believer were already judged in Christ at Calvary, and "there is now no judgement to them which are in Christ Jesus," Rm. 8:1.
At the judgement seat of Jesus, the believer will give an account of his or her works done here on the earth since accepting Christ as Savior. Just to clarify this is not a judgement of sins, but of the works done here on this earth.
So, not only will we receive crowns, but also rewards. Some believe this will take place in the air when we meet Jesus, others believe it occurs at the death of the believer, while some believe it occurs during the tribulation. Reguardless of when it happens it is something that will take place for all believers.
Why am I writing about this now? I feel it's important that every Christian understands the importance of this. Not because we will receive crowns or rewards, but that we will have crowns to throw at the feet of Jesus. Hallelujah, I want crowns to throw at the feet of my Lord and show Him how much I appreciate all that He has done for me.
The time is running short, we need to race the good race. So whatever you do, do it to the glory of God. Col. 3:17.
