I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). The garment of salvation is the authorization for the redemption of our bodies from sin and death; and the robe of righteousness is for life eternal (the Crown of righteousness (for fighting the good fight of faith, for finishing the course, for keeping the faith and for those who love his appearing) – 2Tim 4:7,8, the Crown of life (for Martyrs (both living – that suffer in the flesh, and the slain likewise) and for those that endures temptation) – James 1:12/Rev 2:7/22:14/2:10, the incorruptible Crown (for the victor) –1Cor 9:24-27, the Crown of glory (for the faithful elder) –1Pet 5:2-4, the Crown of rejoicing (for the soul winner) –1Thes 2:19-20 “Crown” then a metaphor!).
To obtain the incorruptible Crown (an incorruptible inheritance –1Pet 1:4); we must run the race with patience (which is wrought by tribulations – Rom 5:3/ James 1:4/Heb 10:36), be temperate in all things, bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, and must lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us (1Cor 9:24-27/2Cor 10:5/Heb 12:1). The Crown of rejoicing for the saving of souls (1Thes 2:19,20 – he that win souls is wise – Pro 11:30); the Crown of glory for the faithful elders who feed the flock of God (1Pet 5:1-4/Pro 27:23); and the Crown of righteousness for fighting the good fight, keeping the faith despite the ordeal, finishing the course, and who love his appearing (2Tim 4:7,8).
- The incorruptible Crown assures our immortality or an incorruptible inheritance (for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality –1Cor 15:53,54 – we must all run the race with patience, and be temperate in all things, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ, by laying aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us – This Crown then is imperative to all believers).
- The Crown of Righteousness assures our eternal standing with God (without which no man shall see the Lord – Heb 12:14 – it is a reward for fighting the good fight, keeping the faith despite the ordeal, finishing the course, and who love his appearing – This one too cannot be relinquished).
- The Crown of Life secures everlasting life (whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it – Luke 17:33 – He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal – John 12:25/1Thes 5:22,23 – it is a reward for Martyrdom – Rev 2:10 – it is for the living Martyr’s too – blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried (fiery trials –1Pet 1:7/4:12), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him – James 1:12 – loving Christ is our priority and that is what life is all about – Mark 12:30/John 14:21,24 – hence, this one too is for all to possess).
- The Crown of Rejoicing – a reward for the soul winner (and soul-winning is the business of the corporate body of Christ – all are included – none can be excluded from this great commission – now are they many members, yet but one body –1Cor 12:20 – all may not preach – but all work toward for the same cause – whether it is an intercessor or one who sends a missionary to the field or a faithful administrator assigned by the Holy Spirit within the Christendom – Rom 10:14,15/1Tim 6:17,19/ 2Cor 9 – this then too is imperative, isn’t it?)
- The Crown of Glory (though is reserved for the faithful and chosen elders of the church –1Pet 5: 2,4 – all who would embrace “the wisdom” from above, can obtain it too – Pro 4:7-9/James 3:14-18 – if wisdom (word of God) is the principal thing – Pro 4:7 – none can avoid having it dwell in us richly in all wisdom, can we? – Col 3:16/James 1:21,22)
I, therefore, believe that everyone who finally gets to put on incorruption (1Cor 15:53,54) will have a crown on their heads – to all victorious believers/faithful followers of Christ/to the persevering saints – all believers who truly follow Christ and his Word will be victorious – they shall never fall – 2Pet 1:10 – the wicked one will not touch him –1John 5:18 – none would remain in eternity without a crown – Jesus says, if one will keep the word of my patience (the word of Christ indeed – My command to persevere), I also will keep him from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world (“the hour of temptation” could mean, the age we are living in where even a suckling is exposed to such degeneracy (Rev 18:3/Matt 24:12 – the effect of the presence of the spirit of the pseudo-Christ – the strong delusion – 2Thes 2:3,9-12) or it could also mean the Great Tribulation – Matt 24:21/Dan 12:1/Mark 13:19/Luke 21:35,36), to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast* (by submitting yourselves to the word of God – The word of my patience/ endurance (my command to persevere) – Rev 3:10 – which He had just commended them for keeping, and which involved with it the attaining of the kingdom; this they would lose if they yielded to the temptation of exchanging consistency and suffering for compromise and ease – JFB / let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom – Col 3:16 – be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only deceiving your own selves – James 1:21,22/ The duty itself: “Hold fast that which thou hast, that faith, that truth, that strength of grace, that zeal, that love to the brethren; thou hast been possessed of this excellent treasure, hold it fast” MHC), *that no man take thy crown (that no tempter cause thee to lose it – JFB – God has provided mansions for you; let none through your fall occupy those seats of blessedness – Clarke/ How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation – Heb 2:3). Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God* (not a pillar to support the temple (heaven needs no such props), but a monument of the free and powerful grace of God, a monument that shall never be defaced nor removed, as many stately pillars erected in honor to the Roman emperors and generals have been. (2) On this monumental pillar, there shall be an honorable inscription, as in those cases is usual. [1] The name of God, in whose cause he engaged, whom he served, and for whom he suffered in this warfare; and the name of the city of God, the church of God, the new Jerusalem, which came down from heaven. On this pillar shall be recorded all the services the believer did to the church of God, how he asserted her rights, enlarged her borders, maintained her purity and honor; this will be a greater name than Asiaticus, or Africanus; a soldier under God in the wars of the church. And then another part of the inscription is, [2] The new name of Christ, the Mediator, the Redeemer, the captain of our salvation; by this it will appear under whose banner this conquering believer had enlisted, under whose conduct he acted, by whose example he was encouraged, and under whose influence he fought the good fight, and came off victorious – MHC/ there shall be “no temple” in the heavenly city – Rev 21:22 – hence, it is about the present life that it talks about / I will fix him as beautiful, as useful, and as immovable as a pillar in the church of God – Wesley/ he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work – 2Tim 2:21 – after that ye have suffered a while, God will make you perfect* (according to the spirit – Heb 12:23 – he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit –1Cor 6:17 – “perfect” in a sense, being cleansed from all filthiness of flesh and spirit – 2Cor 7:1/1Pet 4:1,2 – a consecrated vessel, indeed), *establish, strengthen, settle you –1Pet 5:10 – The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect (2Cor 13:9/Heb 6:1/13:21/ 7:19/5:9/Luke 8:14/6:40/Eph 4:13/1Pet 5:10/James 3:2/2:22/1:4,25/2Tim 3:17/1Thes 3:10/Col 1:28/Phil 3:12,15/1Cor 2:6/Matt 5:48) shall be as his master – Luke 6:40 – For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh (Tribulation/Adversity), but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit – Jeremiah 17:8 – his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper – Ps 1:3 – The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away (slain by the sword – they will be cast into the fire to be burned) – Ps 1:4), *and he shall go no more out (The Greek is stronger, never more at all – As the elect angels are beyond the possibility of falling, being now under (as the Schoolmen say) “the blessed necessity of goodness,” so shall the saints be – JFB): *and I will write upon him the name of my God (So that the nature and image of God shall appear visibly upon him – Wesley – 2Pet 1:4/1Cor 2:16/Phil 2:5/1Pet 2:21 – As the name of Jehovah (kodesh laihovah – “Holiness to the Lord”) was on the golden plate on the high priest’s forehead – Ex 28:36-38 – JFB); so the saints in their heavenly royal priesthood shall bear His name openly, as consecrated to Him), *and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God (new – Greek, “kaine” – Not the old Jerusalem, once called “the holy city,” but having forfeited the name. Greek, “nea” would express that it had recently come into existence; but Greek, “Kaine,” that which is new and different, superseding the worn-out old Jerusalem and its polity. “John, in the Gospel, applies to the old city the Greek name “Hierosolyma”. But in the Apocalypse, always, to the heavenly city the Hebrew name “Hierousalem”. The Hebrew name is the original and holier one: the Greek, the recent and more secular and political one” – BENGEL): *and I will write upon him my new name (Rev 3:10-12) – “Behold, I come quickly. See, I am just coming to relieve them under the trial, to reward their fidelity, and to punish those who fall away; they shall lose that crown which they once seemed to have a right to, which they hoped for, and pleased themselves with the thoughts of. The persevering Christian shall win the prize from backsliding professors, who once stood fair for it.” MHC And all the merits of these five Crowns will either be incorporated in one, or be embellished with badges or emblems that distinguishes each, like the officers in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps are ranked. Their stripes and bars worn on the shoulders of their military uniform (insignia) denote a person’s rank/rate! This information is merely a conjecture. But I believe, there will be rankings in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, yet none would feel insignificant. Listen to Paul: 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? (1Thes 2:19) Hence, Paul might have meant it (crowns) in a metaphoric sense…