The Cradle, a Cross a Crown (Part II)

Scriptures:  (Ephesians 6:8 - NKJ) …knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord whether he is a slave or free. (Rev. 22:7) Behold. I am coming quickly! “Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”  (Rev. 22:12, 13) And behold. I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the End. The First and the Last.

This Jesus is named in an old hymn, as Lord of Lords and king of Kings. “ Crown Him with many crowns.” We too may receive multiple crowns. There are five such crowns in the New Testament that will be given to qualifying believers after the rapture. (1.) The everlasting crown of Victory, which is an imperishable crown in (I Cor. 9:25), (2.) The crown of the soul winners in (Phil. 4:1); (I Thess. 2:19), (3.) The crown of righteousness in (I Tim. 4:8), (4.) The crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him in (Jas. 1:12), (5.) and the crown of glory which does not fade away (I Pet.5:4). – Reference:  Jack Kelley-Bible Study, June 2018.

Salvation is a free gift that is granted at the moment of belief.  (Eph. 1: 13,14) and marks the beginning of our new life. ( I Cor. 3:10-15) reflects the fruit of our new Christian life. Salvation is the gift at the beginning that makes it possible for us to receive the crown at the end.

The motives of our heart must be pure. If we perform for the praise of men, we’ve received all the credit we are going to get. We’ll receive no reward from the Lord. But if we keep our good deeds secret, He who sees all things will reward us (Matt. 6: 1-4). By the way, once we get our crown (Rev. 5:10), we will turn and bow down before the throne -- place them at His feet. Hallelujah! We acknowledge that our “acts of righteousness” were made possible because of the Lord’s gift to us.

References to Revelation 22: 7, 12, 13, the Redeemer  is impressing on our mind the importance of giving immediate attention to the concerns of the soul. For “I come quickly” and His reward will be with Him to be given in return for a good thing done, and/or faithful service rendered.  A reward is sometimes referred to as recompence for good done and is given out at the Judgement Seat of Christ. That is the place where the works of believers will be evaluated by Christ for purposes of reward.

Is this still yet the message of Christmas -- The Cradle, a Cross, a Crown?  Why yes!  Christ is the magnificent gift to the world. A king, born in a stable, died on a cross, buried, resurrected, and soon to return. He the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords  (I Tim. 6:15). He alone deserves multiple crowns.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, hallowed be Thine name. For Your Son Jesus, who was never a mere man, never did things like man.  He who is God and has always been God.  He  came with a purpose and a plan to save sinners.  Jesus wrought my salvation with His own blood. For that, my attitude should always be that of gratitude.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(By Novella D. Carpenter)