Bible Studies

CROWNS AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

by Guy Humphries
05/19/24
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CROWNS AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
Children of God will be rewarded with 5 CROWNS

SEAT gr bh'ma "A raised place mounted by steps. The Olympic “ Bema” is the platform where the three top winners receive their REWARD, some better than others."

Jesus promised, “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will REWARD each according to his works.” Mt 16:27

Every truly-born-again-child-of-God will be judged on what they did for Christ. Writing to believers at Corinth, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the [reward] things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor 5:10

My heavenly reward (singular) will be determined by how I, “12...build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, (or) wood, hay, stubble:13 - because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon (foundation), he shall receive A reward.” from 1 Cor 3

What will happen to those whose works are not acceptable? 2 Cor 5:15 "If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss (of reward) but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.” We say "skin of their teeth."

What WORKS may burn? “...Wood, hay, stubble...”, works that I deemed good but Jesus will not judge to be “...gold, silver or precious stones...”. from 2 Cor 5:12

What do you want to hear from the mouth of our Savior? I want to hear the most blessed REWARD, the goal of every child of God. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Mat 25:21

Jesus teaching His disciples in Matthew 16:27 “The Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then he shall REWARD every man (child of God) according to his works.”

MY CROWN OF REWARD will differ from yours. Some will earn:
A CROWN of rejoicing for those who lead others to Jesus’ love GIFT of salvation. This is sometimes called "the soul-winner's crown." 1 Thessalonians 2:19 “For what is our hope, or joy, or CROWN of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” All dead that heard the Gospel and trusted Jesus for salvation will be "...in the presence..." of Jesus when He comes in the clouds as He resurrects our bodies at the Rapture.

A CROWN of righteousness for those who look for and "...love His appearing." 2 Tim 4:8 “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.”

A CROWN of glory will be awarded to those who faithfully teach and preach God's Word. Giving a mandate to preachers in 1 Peter 5:3-4 “Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a CROWN of glory that fadeth not away.”

An INCORRUMPTIBLE CROWN for those who "run a good race" in the Christian life. “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. I therefore so run…” 1 Cor 9:25-26a

THE CROWN OF LIFE. “Blessed is the man (child of God) 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 "...the Lord hath promised..." the "...CROWN OF LIFE..." which is a special reward for all children-of-God who faithfully “...endureth temptation...” and persecutions yet continue in faithful testimony and service to God because they "...love Him..." and demonstrate it by their lifestyle.

“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 (crown) reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss (of reward): but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Cor 3: 13-15 In Paradise during the seven years of Tribulation at the Judgment-seat-of-Christ, He will open the record book of each child-of-God to reveal “…every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide …” If those works remain after Jesus subjects them to the fire of his absolute justice, God’s-children shall receive a reward, a special reward, the CROWN OF LIFE, for those that persevere in true service to God no matter the trials and temptations that they endure. For those truly-born-again-children-of-God whose works, after being “...revealed by fire...” confirm that they failed to do acceptable works “...shall suffer loss...” of reward, receive no CROWN, but that will not alter the fact that they ARE “...saved; yet so as by fire...”

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, John wrote to the members of the church at Ephesus, “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which SAY they are (believing) Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a CROWN OF LIFE. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh (is saved) shall not be hurt of the second death.” Revelation 2:9-11 Jesus promised God’s-children who remain “...faithful unto death...” as they endure, “...tribulation...”, that is, until they were martyred, plus suffer persecution by the devil and refuse to abandon their faithful service to God shall receive as their reward “...a CROWN OF LIFE...” as special reward to “...he that overcometh...”, continues in faithful service even after such suffering. By trusting Jesus, they avoid "...the second death..." in the lake-of-fire.

Dr. R. G. Lee describes it as, “There are two ways to achieve this crown. The first way is to simply put complete faith and trust in the Lord when you are facing trials, tribulations, and hardships. When in difficult times and you are faced with pain and suffering you simply rely on the Lord that much more. ‘Happy is the man that keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the Crown of Life.’ (James 1:12)

The second way to achieve the Crown of Life, which is a reward not salvation, is to remain faithful to our Lord. Faithful to Him to the very end even if it means laying down your very own life in His name. "Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the Crown of Life." (Revelation 2:10)

"For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, and then will come about the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?" I Corinthians 15:53-55

Dr. Lee continues, “All of those CROWNS depict a special reward to different children-of-God for their special service to God. You may be awarded a CROWN OF GLORY, or a CROWN OF REJOICING, etc. Without jealousy, I will rejoice over your crown and you will rejoice over my crown, if I get one. In Paradise, immediately after the judgment-seat-of-Christ, we will rejoice in our worship of God on His emerald throne by laying that CROWN at His feet.”

Every child-of-God must abide by the rule book (God’s Word) and run the race of life with the expectation of a CROWN of reward.