Five Crowns

"To know God and to love His Son is to joyfully anticipate his return." Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille ROA '78

II Corinthians 12:1-2 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of persecution including many physical attacks as he held forth God's Word as described in II Corinthians 11:23-28. Throughout the tribulations he experienced Paul held his focus on the hope of Christ's return. Because he kept focused on that hope God showed him what was coming in the future in the third heaven.

"If you have the hope, God reveals things like this to you to help you keep your hope hot." Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille - Thursday, August 16th, 1978 at the Rock of Ages.

God has revealed that part of our great hope is the anticipation of rewards for the work we do to move and live His Word.

II Corinthians 5:10 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.

"This judgment seat is the bema, the place, from which prizes and rewards are given for 'the things done...'
The Church of the Body appears before the bema of Christ to receive the 'crown of righteousness,' 'rewards' for deeds done for the faithfulness of our stewardship for Him. We appear before the bema of Christ not to receive God's sentences of wrath of condemnation, but to 'have praise of God.' None of God's born-again children in Christ will ever be judged as to their standing or anything else for they have already been judged in the Person of their substitute and mediator, Christ Jesus." Page 39 - Are the Dead Alive Now - Dr. Victor Paul Wierwille.

The five crowns available at the bema:

Crown of Life

James 1:12 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.

For those who rightly divide God's Word to stand approved before God.

Crown of Rejoicing

I Thessalonians 2:19-20 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.

For those who win others to the Lord Jesus Christ after they have rightly divided the Word.

Crown Incorruptible

I Corinthians 9:24-25 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.

For those who exercise self-control in all disciplined training.

Crown of Glory

I Peter 5:1-4 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

For those leaders or elders in the Body of Christ who become examples to the flock.

Crown of Righteousness

II Timothy 4:7-8 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.

For those who love Christ's appearing.