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All believers should be aware of what will take place very soon:

“For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (II Corinthians 5:10)

As we approach the time of the Lord’s return, it is vital that everyone understands what lies ahead after we are taken to be with the Lord. Notice that the above Scripture says that we will all appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ. This is a Judgement Seat before our Lord, to give an account for our lives and all that we have done, whether good or bad.

SHOCK AND SURPRISE

While we long to be with our precious Lord and Saviour, we wonder how many are really ready to face the Judgement Seat of Christ? We even ask ourselves, are we ready to meet Jesus?

After the Rapture takes place, many Christians will experience a great deal of shock and surprise.² The Lukewarm believers will be left on the earth to face their time of testing under the Antichrist; while the faithful, wise believers will be taken to be with the Lord forever! (See Luke 21:36, Rev. 7:14, Rev. 3:10).

What is it that distinguishes between these two groups? Why were some wise and why were some foolish? Why were some ready, while others were taken by surprise like a thief?

As mentioned in the previous chapter, most church leaders have not taught us properly regarding grace and works: Salvation is by grace, but rewards are given according to works!

The Judgement Seat of Christ will be the time when the faithful Christians wi11 be rewarded for their faithfulness in doing the good works God ordained for them to do. Likewise, for the unfaithful and foolish Christians, the Judgement Seat will be a time of great disappointment:

“Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” (II Corinthians 5:11)

The Church loves to hear sermons on the love of God, but few pastors and teachers are brave enough to talk about the “terror of the Lord.” The Judgement Seat of Christ will not be a pleasant experience for those Christians who have been living unfaithful lives. All deeds, true motives and designs will be laid bare before the Lord. The Christian “Ministry” of many believers will be revealed as a means to further their own personal aspirations of wealth and fame rather than bringing glory to the Lord.

Now is the time that all Christians should be living their lives in view of the Judgement Seat of Christ and the rewards (Crowns) that can be earned for their faithful lives. Jesus warned us ahead of time that many will try to take these crowns from the believers:

“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Revelation 3:11)

Jesus was telling his Church to hold on to that "which thou hast" so that it would not lose their Crowns. The Word of God shows there are five different Crowns that are possible for Christians to earn. All Christians should be earnestly striving for these rewards so that they may cast them unto Jesus in the very near future:

"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, saying, "Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:10-11)

What a glorious day that will be when we are able to worship our great God! Will you have crowns to lay at His feet? Let's see what the five possible crowns are and how they can be obtained.

CROWN

OF

LIFE

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12)

The Crown of Life is the first and basic crown. It is given to those Christians who truly love Jesus. Because they love Him, they are faithful to Him. When trials and tests arrive in their lives, they remain true to Him. They are overcomers who endure temptations and win this crown for remaining faithful to Jesus.

INCORRUPTIBLE

CROWN

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run... But I keep my body and bring it into subjection...lest I be a castaway." (I Corinthians 9:24-25)

The Incorruptible Crown is awarded to the Christian who wins the spiritual race that is set before each believer. It is a daily race in which the sins of the flesh must be put off by allowing the Holy Spirit to take control. It is not won until the race is over, and even the Apostle Paul was concerned that he might not win this prize. Yes, even Paul was concerned that he might be a castaway. This should be a lesson for everyone who says it doesn’t matter how you live after you are saved. Even the great Apostle Paul was concerned for his own life.

To win this crown, the believer must be successful in "crucifying the flesh," as is described in Galatians 5:16, 19-26, and by turning from the things of this world.

CROWN

OF

RIGHTEOUSNESS

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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." (II Timothy 4:7-8)

The Crown of Righteousness is the next level of reward. It is given for keeping the true faith, i.e., keeping God's Word. Directly associated with keeping the faith is "loving his appearing.” Living in the endtime, you would think that all Christians would receive this crown. And yet, very few modern day Christians even care to discuss the return of the Lord. Paul is saying that those Christians who are alert, and anxiously looking for the Lord to return, are the ones who are keeping the faith. Those who long for that great day are given the wonderful promise of receiving the Crown of Righteousness.

CROWN

OF

REJOICING

"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? For ye are our glory and joy." (I Thessalonians 2:19-20)

The last two crowns may be the highest rewards of the five crowns. The Crown of Rejoicing is also known as the soul winner’s crown.

In the above verse, Paul was referring to the very faithful Christians from Thessalonica. Paul was instrumental in helping them become faithful Christians who were counted worthy of entering the Kingdom. Because of this, they are seen as holy evidence before Jesus Christ at His return. Their faithfulness to this high calling provided their entrance into the Kingdom, and as a result, Paul saw their faithful lives as a Crown of Rejoicing when the Lord returns.

Likewise, those Christians who teach others and lead others into a deeper relationship with Jesus will also receive the Crown of Rejoicing when the Lord comes. While winning people into a saving knowledge of Christ is important, this crown is given to those who are actually helping other Christians to become faithful disciples, and thereby helping them to gain their own entrance into the coming Kingdom.

Solomon put it this way:

“…he who wins souls is wise.”

(Proverbs 11:30 – NKJV)

CROWN

OF

GLORY

"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (I Pet.5:2-4)

The Crown of Glory is given to the faithful under-shepherd who properly feeds the sheep. This is any Christian who has matured in the faith and who is teaching others the true teachings from the Word of God. When Jesus comes, they will receive the Crown of Glory. Let’s briefly review the five possible Crowns and how they are earned:

As mentioned earlier, Jesus warned us not to let any man take our crowns. Let's look at each crown, and see how others can make us lose our crowns.

Crown of Life

The Crown of Life is given to those who patiently endure the present trials and tests that come in this life. Those who are overcomers will receive this crown as a reward for their faithfulness. Others can take this crown from the believer through false teaching. Most of the Church has not been taught what it really means to be an overcomer. By so doing, most Christians will not gain this most basic crown.

Most believers feel that they are automatically overcomers by virtue of their salvation. They have never allowed the Holy Spirit to teach them how to really experience His overcoming power in their life. Sadly, false teaching has robbed most of the Church of this most basic reward.

Incorruptible Crown

The incorruptible crown is given to those faithful believers who allow the Spirit to be the master over their flesh. Others will try to take this crown from you by telling you that it doesn't matter how you live after you are saved. They will say, "Go sow a few wild oats," or "You are saved by Grace, don’t worry about it."

The worldly Laodicea church age is filled with Christians who have given in to the desires of the flesh. Don't listen to them; don't let them take your crown. The small pleasures this world has to offer pale in comparison to the many astounding things God has awaiting His faithful.

Crown of Righteousness

This crown is given to those who keep the faith, and love His appearing. Others will try to take this crown from you by trying to get you to give up looking for the Lord's return. This can happen in two ways. Most in the Church are not interested in speaking about the Rapture. By so doing, these believers can discourage your faith and hope in the Lord's coming; thereby causing you to lose your crown. The second way is through the many false alarms that have sounded. Don't cease looking for Jesus! He said He is coming again, and He will return at just the right moment, and not one day late! Don't let others take this crown from you.

Crown of Rejoicing

The soul winner’s crown is given to those who are actually leading other Christians into a deeper relationship with Jesus. This crown has been stolen from most in the Church today because the doctrine of rewards is not understood or taught. Don’t let this keep you from earning this reward. Help others to be faithful disciples of Christ.

Crown of Glory

The Crown of Glory is given to those who are found nourishing God's flock. Others will try to take this crown from you by telling you that it is reserved for the Pastor. Sadly, many Pastors are not properly feeding the flock of God today. This crown is God's reward to those who know and love God's Word sufficiently to teach others the real truth. Be faithful to Him, and He will give you this reward very, very soon!

All Christians should be actively seeking all of the above crowns. These crowns are rewards for faithfully serving the Lord. God has ordained the “good works” He wants every believer to perform, and those who are faithful will be richly rewarded for their humble accomplishments in His service.

However, many Christians will arrive at the Judgement Seat of Christ without even one crown. These Christians will be saved, but they will not receive any rewards due to their unfruitful and unfaithful lives.

While these Christians are saved, their lack of rewards are an indictment of their failure to abide in Christ for His direction in their lives:

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (I John 2:28)

Regrettably, many Christians will be ashamed when Jesus returns because they failed in the missions that God had ordained for their lives. While their spirit was saved, they failed to work out their salvation and thereby secure the salvation of their soul.

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)

In the next chapter, we will look further into what it means to save your soul and to work out your salvation.

The above diagram is from Dispensational Truth, by Clarence Larkin, page 99, © 1918. Used with permission of the Rev. Clarence Larkin Estate, P.O. Box 334, Glenside, PA 19038, U.S.A., 215-576-5590, www.larkinestate.com