The Crown of Life         The term “crown” comes from five different Hebrew words in the Old           Testament and two different Greek terms in the New Testament.  Word studies are     important to appreciate the full impact of what God is communicating to His people.  Often times English translations miss the essence of what God is communicating, which is why word studies can be valuable in building up our faith.  Consider now these five ways the term “crown” is used in the Bible. 1. Decoration:  The Hebrew term, “zer,” is used in Exodus to speak of that to which we might refer to in architecture as “crown molding,” which was found around the tops of various pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle. 2. Consecration:  The Hebrew term, “nezer,” had a two-fold application.  It was the frontlet piece on the miter of the high priest made of pure gold saying, “Holy to Jehovah.”  Likewise the Hebrew king was set apart wearing a royal head piece of silk or gold set with jewels; therefore, the king or priest is one who is consecrated, set apart by God for a special purpose. 3.  Coronation:  Hebrew kings were coronated or consecrated “nezer,” speaking of one and the same thing, where one has been indicated by Jehovah that this one is “Holy to Jehovah.” 4.  Exaltation: The Hebrew term “atarah” and the Greek terms “stephanos” and “diadema” are the terms used are speaking of a crown of exaltation.  The    exaltation for victors of games like the Olympics, achievements in war, and places of honor at feasts are some of the ways these terms were used.  The Hebrew term, “atarah,” would be worn as a wreath of flowers at a banquet or to honor a victory.  “Stephanos” is the term used when speaking of the exaltation of Christ in Revelation 14:14.  The exalted and victorious Christ has many crowns (diadems), (Revelation. 19:12).   5.  Reward:  Paul uses, the crowned one term, “stephanos,” to help us understand what God has for His children.  Paul speaks of athletic games in 1 Cor. 9:25 where he speaks of a temporary “perishing” crown (of leaves) and compares this worldly crown to our God promised imperishable crown.  Paul calls his crown of   rejoicing simply being in the presence of brethren who are in the presence of Christ upon His return (1 Thess. 2:19-20).  Paul further speaks of his present-tense reward found in his joyful relationship with his brethren whom he defines as his crown in Philippians 4:1.   The faithful to Christ are to receive a crown from Him in the future.  Christ says to His people, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the CROWN OF LIFE.” (Rev. 2:10b).  We all must acknowledge that we have no such crown now and that we need such a crown.  Christ promises to give life eternal to all who will maintain their faithfulness unto Him to the point of experiencing physical death.  Christ alone has this authority and this gift.   Just before Paul will die, he writes 2 Tim. 4:8 and speaks with hope and    conviction regarding his future.  “Finally, there is laid up for me the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” James, the Lord’s half-brother, writes in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the CROWN OF LIFE which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”   Our promised crown is described as being “incorruptible (1 Cor. 9:25) and as a “crown of rejoicing” (1 Thess. 2:19).  Our crown is spoken of as a “prize” in  Philippians 3:14.  The promised CROWN OF GLORY is to be given to us by Christ our Good Shepherd with the assurance that it will never fade away (1 Pet. 5:4). DANGER:  Our crown can be lost or taken away!  “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Rev. 3:11).  Paul admonishes Christians to run the course of life in such a way to make certain that they may obtain the prize or crown (1 Cor. 9:24-25).  We have some control regarding our prize and we are admonished to pay attention that we might receive the crown we seek from God.  We must choose to endure to the end (Matt. 10:22). The Crown of Life, the Crown of Righteousness, and the Crown of Glory are descriptive phrases which speak of one in the same crown.  Faithfulness is the key to obtaining this crown.  There is to be no down time, no vacations, no time off or away from God.  God is so very fair.  Only you can maintain your faithfulness before Him and only I can maintain mine.  In this way we judge ourselves worthy or unworthy of our crowns as we individually work out our own salvation (faith) with fear and    trembling (Phil. 2:12). God knows if we are trying to cheat Him by giving Him minimums of        ourselves.  He knows if we are striving and putting forth a genuine effort to receive the crown of life.  Let us give and receive encouragement as we equip and challenge one another on the upward way and gain new heights every day.  Be diligent to make your calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10).  You do want that CROWN that Christ wants to give to your forever.