“The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne.” Revelation 4:10
Dear Ones:
The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, not long before he went to be with the Lord, “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.” (2 Timothy 4:8) A crown is a visible representation of that which is of great worth and authority. Here he speaks of it as being “a crown of righteousness,” the representation of that which was, and is, perfectly right in the sight of God. It must be said that this righteousness has but one source, God Himself. This is why we see the elders in heaven falling down before God, casting their crowns of righteousness before the throne of God. Moreover, the righteousness of this crown, no only speaks of that which is fully and perfectly right, acceptable and well-pleasing before God, but also because is a gift, a declaration, proclamation, and revelation of Christ. Everything that Jesus Christ was, is, and ever shall be, is perfectly right. Just as He is the truth, so He is all that is right and good. The greatest manifestation of that righteousness is seen when the Lord Jesus uttered the triumphal words on the Cross: “It is finished.” While He walked this earth, accomplishing His ministry and mission, eventually going to the cross to bear the sin and guilt of mankind, He never wavered, faltered, or turned aside from that which was right in the sight of His Father. When His blood was shed, and the work of Calvary was accomplished, He had accomplished a perfect salvation of righteousness. Nothing that Satan, the world, or the opposition or the deceitfulness of sinful man, turned him aside from His righteous work that would result in countless millions receiving the “gift of righteousness,” His righteousness, so that they could be saved, and accepted before God. What then is meant by being “spoiled through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men?” (Col. 2:8) Paul instructs the Colossians later in his letter, “Let no man beguile you of your reward.” (2:18) Is it possible to be “spoiled,” and robbed of one’s reward?
When we gaze into heaven through the eyes of the Apostle John, and we see these crowns being cast before the throne, there is no doubt that they represent the perfect and complete righteousness of Christ. They represent the full blessing of such righteousness, the sinner being saved from sin, but also received, accepted, and blessed, in the very presence of the Father. When Paul speaks of being robbed of one’s crown, is he speaking of being robbed of salvation? No. But he is speaking of an opportunity and reward missed. The believer, according to the abilities, capacities, gifts, and calling of each, can truly know and serve Christ on this earth. He or she will be faced with opposition, temptation, difficulty, and limitations, in similar fashion to Christ. The question then becomes, “Will the believer be like, “…the goodman of the house…who watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up?” (Matt. 24:43) Would he have sought to know clearly what his calling was, and his gifts were, so that, according to the capacities and resources Christ committed to his charge, he would seek to be faithful and wise in their use for the sake of his Master?
The believer’s position in Christ, represented by the crown of pure gold given to every believer, is settled in heaven. However, the reward of Christ to the believer for that which was accomplished in his life, primarily his “faithfulness to opportunity,” will be depend upon his walk and communion with Christ. God is a “rewarder” of them that diligently seek Him. Faith is that only means by which one can receive all from Christ in the daily walk, in order to “rightly” serve Him.
Dear Father, Give us to “hold fast our profession of faith,” offering fruitful lives to Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad