Read: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
THE CROWN THAT AWAITS THOSE THAT ARE FAITHFUL
The popular belief in Christendom, that all Christians at the end of this age will get at least one crown, many songs are composed to teach that we can work to get stars in these crowns. It is taught that we should be prepared to cast whatever crown we obtain at the Master’s feet, (maybe as a sign of being found worthy). This is definitely not what Scripture teach. Those that obtain crowns will be wearing them while the reign with Christ. As we saw in a previous study, those twenty-four elders that cast their crown at the Lord’s feet from all appearances, are not redeemed men, but angels that did not rebel with Satan (Rev. 4:10).
There are two words used in the Greek text of the NT which are translated “crown” in English versions. The first and most widely used is stephanos (or the verb form, stephanoo), referring to a “victor’s crown” or a crown denoting certain types of “worth” or “valor.” The other word is diadema, referring to a crown denoting “regal authority,” “kingly power.” Staphanus is the only word used for “crown” in the NT outside the Book of Revelation. Diadema, the other word used for “crown” appears only three times all of which occurs in the latter part of the Book of Revelation (12:3; 13:1; 19:12). The first two references have to do with power and authority possessed by incumbent earthly rulers immediately preceding and within the kingdom of Antichrist, and the latter reference has to do with power and authority which Christ will possess at the time He returns and takes His kingdom.
The way in which these two words are used in the NT relative to the government of the earth must be borne in mind if one is to properly understand the Scriptural distinction between the use of stephanos and diadema. Diadema (referring to the monarch’s crown) is used only where one has actually entered into and is presently exercising regal power. Stephanos is never used in this respect.
An understanding of the distinction between stephanos and diadema will reveal certain things about the twenty-four elders which could not otherwise be known. They each cast stephanos before the throne, not diadema.
Let us continue to look at these crowns in subsequent lessons; but until then, be sure to make yourself ready that you will wear a crown when we face the judgment seat of Christ.
If our works abides, we will wear a crown… 1 Cor. 3:14
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss… 1 Cor. 3:15
THE CROWN THAT AWAITS THOSE THAT ARE FAITHFUL
The popular belief in Christendom, that all Christians at the end of this age will get at least one crown, many songs are composed to teach that we can work to get stars in these crowns. It is taught that we should be prepared to cast whatever crown we obtain at the Master’s feet, (maybe as a sign of being found worthy). This is definitely not what Scripture teach. Those that obtain crowns will be wearing them while the reign with Christ. As we saw in a previous study, those twenty-four elders that cast their crown at the Lord’s feet from all appearances, are not redeemed men, but angels that did not rebel with Satan (Rev. 4:10).
There are two words used in the Greek text of the NT which are translated “crown” in English versions. The first and most widely used is stephanos (or the verb form, stephanoo), referring to a “victor’s crown” or a crown denoting certain types of “worth” or “valor.” The other word is diadema, referring to a crown denoting “regal authority,” “kingly power.” Staphanus is the only word used for “crown” in the NT outside the Book of Revelation. Diadema, the other word used for “crown” appears only three times all of which occurs in the latter part of the Book of Revelation (12:3; 13:1; 19:12). The first two references have to do with power and authority possessed by incumbent earthly rulers immediately preceding and within the kingdom of Antichrist, and the latter reference has to do with power and authority which Christ will possess at the time He returns and takes His kingdom.
The way in which these two words are used in the NT relative to the government of the earth must be borne in mind if one is to properly understand the Scriptural distinction between the use of stephanos and diadema. Diadema (referring to the monarch’s crown) is used only where one has actually entered into and is presently exercising regal power. Stephanos is never used in this respect.
An understanding of the distinction between stephanos and diadema will reveal certain things about the twenty-four elders which could not otherwise be known. They each cast stephanos before the throne, not diadema.
Let us continue to look at these crowns in subsequent lessons; but until then, be sure to make yourself ready that you will wear a crown when we face the judgment seat of Christ.
If our works abides, we will wear a crown… 1 Cor. 3:14
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss… 1 Cor. 3:15
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