Crowns

“… Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Genesis 15:1b

 

Throughout the New Testament, God places before us the offer of crowns for the race run.  Now the word crown should immediately draw our thoughts to kingship and ruling, for those that wear crowns also sit on thrones.    As with all rewards, the true prize is greater closeness with the Lord of Glory and specifically in this case, ruling with Him.  Let us examine each of these crowns and the means by which they are obtained:

 

Christ’s Crowns:

Crown of Thorns

John 19:2  And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

 

In this life, Jesus wore a crown of thorns, as a man of sorrows and well acquainted with grief.  Yet he gave up his glory in heaven to endure these things with the view of a greater glory that would await.  He endured being spit upon, disrespected, and suffered more in His body than any man has.  Let this be the lesson and chief example for us, for a servant is not above his Master and we are called to take up OUR CROSS and follow Him.

 

Lord of Lord’s and King of Kings

Revelation 17:14  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

 

When Jesus returns to this earth He does so with more glory than He left when He first came.  He returns having conquered Death and put all enemies under His feet.  He returns having shown His faithfulness, and is therefore able to stand as the True Judge.  Partaking in the glory in which He is enshrouded is the hope of the saints.  While some of these glories are promised by nature of being His children, much of the partaking is based upon the degree to which we BEAR HIS IMAGE and FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE in our lives.

 

Christ is the True David.  King David suffered outside the camp of Israel but the distressed, indebted, and discontented came out to him and suffered along aside him (1 Samuel 22:1-2).  David was a rejected king, a persecuted king, a king with no kingdom – yet when he came to claim his kingdom, those who suffered with him also ruled with him (2 Samuel 23; 1 Chronicles 11, 27).  So likewise we are told “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2 Tim 2:12) and therefore beckoned to “go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach” (Hebrews 13:13-14) because as He said “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36)

 

Crowns Offered to Us:

Incorruptible Crown

1 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.

 

Notice that the reception of this crown is conditioned on winning the race.  It is a conditional for those whose life’s work is having their body under submission to do the will of God.  They are ever in training – preparing their understanding of the King and His principles, and their obedience to them – such that they are prepared to rule with Him and receive a crown that cannot be taken away or deteriorate.

 

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.

 

Revelation 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

 

Both of these Scriptures preface the receiving of the Crown of Life with successfully overcoming temptations.  As to the extent of these temptations that must be overcome to achieve this crown, we are not told, but we may be confident that the King’s reply in the parable “Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” (Luke 19:17) applies here.  The degree to which we overcome by doing the work of God – believing – will be the amount to which we receive.

 

Crown of Glory

1 Peter 5:2-4  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.

 

There is a special Crown of Glory for faithful shepherds who rightly care for His sheep.  In this life, they are to rule over God’s flock, not with a rod of iron, but with a shepherd’s staff – herding, prodding, and rescuing the sheep along the Way.  If they do so successfully, there is a greater kingship that awaits them with a stronger sceptre, but it is not granted just by receiving a salary.

 

Crown of Rejoicing

1 Thessalonians 2:19  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?

 

The lessons on church discipline and restoration in Mt 18 are in response to the question of who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  The promise of this crown operates along those lines.  To those who seek to rescue lost sheep –sheep who have never found the fold or those who have wandered from it – there is a crown promised to them.  Such is the joy of the Chief Shepherd in the return of His lost sheep, that He rewards the finder with greater responsibility and proximity to Him in His rule.

 

Crown of Righteousness

2 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.

 

The Crown of Righteousness is laid up for Paul, as well as all others who Love the Appearing of Christ.  Apparently, to love the appearing of Christ is to prepare for it and to overcome in the fight of faith as the ideas are connected in Paul’s mind.  A bride who loves the appearing of her groom on marriage day will prepare herself.  In Bible times, this meant sewing her dress.  So it is written of those who receive the crown of righteousness: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8)  God has given unto His people all things that pertain unto righteousness, but through faith, do His people weave a bridal gown of works of faith in their life?  To those that love His appearing, there is a promise of a Crown of Righteousness

 

Christ wears all the Crowns

Revelation 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

 

Christ alone stands crowned with many crowns.  He wears the incorruptible crown having learned perfect obedience by the things which He suffered, obedience even unto death on the cross of Calvary.  He wears the crown of life having overcome the greatest temptations, ever a man faced.  He wears the crown of glory as the glory of God radiates from the Chief Shepherd who watches over His flock and will not lose one.  He wears the Crown of Rejoicing having rescued all prodigals through His substitutionary death, rejoicing with the angels and with the elect at their return.  He wears the crown of righteousness standing alone as the Sinless Savior who in all points fulfilled the law and stood as the innocent lamb, a fit sacrifice unto Our Holy God.  Christ Jesus wears all the crowns.  He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords with a Name above all names.   This Many-Crowned King has extended His sceptre unto you to approach His throne through the power of His cleansing blood, to overcome through the in-working power of the Holy Spirit, and to rule and reign with Him by suffering with Him without the camp.  Let us then press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)

Letters to the Seven Churches

The letters from Jesus Christ to the seven churches of Asia Minor in the book of Revelation follow a set form.  While the order does vary slightly between the letters, each has the following elements:

1. Church name
2. Who is speaking (Title of Christ emphasizing attributes they need to see
3. I know thy works…. (Praise or shame based on service)
4. Warning or Admonition
5. He that overcometh… (Promise of reward those who act)

The chart, Revelation 2-3 Chart Messages to Seven Churches, has divided the text into these respective elements of the letter for ease in studying.  I pray you may find this useful.

Personality of Christ – Our High-Priest

1)       What does it mean to be a priest?

English Word wrongly comes from presbyter (elder, pastor) which is not Bible meaning

Hebrew “Kohen” means  “preside” or “officiate”.

Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men [ or in behalf of men] in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

A priest is one who draws nigh to God and represents God to people; a minister to God on people’s behalf.  A mediator and intercessor.

4 elements of priesthood brought out in Numbers 16:5

Numbers 16:5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

Priests had at least three attributes, they:

1.      Belonged to God

2.      Holy – Separated to God

3.      Came Near to God

4.      They were called of God to do so

2)       What does a priest do?

Priests under the Old Testament Law had a bunch of duties including:

-          Offering sacrifices – Leviticus 9

-          Teaching law – Leviticus 10:11

-          Acting as Mediators – Leviticus 1-7

-          Serving Dwelling Place of God – Num 18:3; Ex 30:7-10

-          Inspecting and Purifying Unclean Persons – Leviticus 13-14

-          Judging Disputes – Deut 17:8-13

-          Collecting Offerings to God – Num 18:21,26

-          Pronouncing Blessings – Numbers 6:23-26

-          Sounding the trumpet for battle – Deut 20:1-4

-          Leading the singing – Sons of Asaph – (under reorganization under David)

-          Guarding temple / Holy things of God

Only the High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies – the dwelling place of God – and that only once a year to make atonement for the children of Israel. (Leviticus 16)

3)       Did Christ ever claim He was priest?

a.      Note the strange reaction of the High Priest based on Jesus answer in Mark 14:61-64 Why?

i.      Jesus quotes two passages – Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13

1.       Psalm 110 is well known for link in verse 4 to priest after order of Melchizedek

2.       Daniel 7:13 – Shows that He is the Eternal Ancient of Days

ii.      By combining the two, Jesus tells the natural high priest that He is the eternal high priest and the Levitical order and Caiphas’s priesthood has been overthrown!

b.      Interesting Note:

i.      Before the Ruler of the Land He declared His kingship

ii.      Before the High Priest He declared His Priesthood

iii.      He is the ROYAL PRIEST – AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK

4)       Who ordains priests and when was Christ ordained?

a.      How were Old Testament priests ordained?

i.      Ex 39:1-43; 40:13-15,31-32; Leviticus 8-10.

b.      Jesus was made high priest by virtue of His Sonship, not because He was a Levite (he was not) nor because He followed the OT commandments (Hebrews 5:4-6; 7:16-17)

c.      Some discussion as to whether Christ’s ordination as High priest occurred at His baptism.  Certainly the Holy Spirit (of which the OT anointing pictured) and the declaration of the Father that He was well pleased with His Son would give weight to such a thought, but there are no definite statements in the Scripture to establish a doctrine on this so we must leave it as a speculation at this point.

5)       What about Christ’s Personality reveals His High Priestly Qualification?

a.      How did Christ have compassion on the ignorant and the out-of-the way? (Heb 5:2,7-9)

From A.T. Robinsons’s Word Pictures: “If the priest is cordially to plead with God for the sinner, he must bridle his natural disgust at the loathsomeness of sensuality, his impatience at the frequently recurring fall, his hopeless alienation from the hypocrite and the superficial, his indignation at any confession he hears from the penitent” (Dods).

b.      What are the qualities in His High Priestly Character that we need? (Heb 7:25-26)

i.      Holy – Saintly, pious

ii.      Harmless – Without malice, innocent.

iii.      Undefiled – Untainted, stainless.

iv.      Separate from Sinners – Set apart to Father

v.      Made Higher than the Heavens – Glorious position

6)       How is Christ mediator / intercessor / testator of the covenant? (Hebrews 8:6,10-12; 9:15-18)

a.      MEDIATOR, n. One that interposes between parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them (Webster)

i.      By way of eminence, Christ is the mediator, the divine intercessor through whom sinners may be reconciled to an offended God. Tim.2.

ii.      Christ is a mediator by nature, as partaking of both natures divine and human; and mediator by office, as transacting matters between God and man

b.      Testator = A man who makes and leaves a will or testament at death (Webster)

i.      Divider of inheritance

c.      Intercessor – Intercession

i.      Intercessor = A mediator; one who interposes between parties at variance, with a view to reconcile them; one who pleads in behalf of another (Webster)

ii.      (Heb 7:25, 27; 9:26 (note error of daily offering amongst all so-called “priests” today))

7)       What did Christ offer as gift and sacrifice for sin? (Heb 8:3)

a.      Hebrews 10:5-10 – Offered His body

8)       When did Christ ever minister at the Temple?

a.      John 2:13-22 – His body is temple

b.      Hebrews 9:11, 12-14

c.      Vail – his flesh = Heb 10:20

Application for Us today – How should this knowledge affect us: Hebrews 10:19-25

-          Boldness to enter the Holy of Holies – the dwelling place of God

-          Draw near with full assurance (not forsaking God or covenant people when sin, but asking forgiveness

-          Trust in His blood to wash away guilt once asked

-          Trust in Word and Spirit to cleanse us so that we are pure to serve (Eph 5:26)

-          LOVE and Provoke love and good works in others

-          Recognize YOUR PRIESTHOOD.

The we can offer nothing in our own power, through the cleansing power of Christ and His in-working in His people, they can serve Him as priests though in constant reliance on the ONE MEDIATOR between God and Man.

There is no need for a special class of ordained “priests” today which follows the Levitical model.  All redeemed are called to serve as priests under the royal priesthood model of Christ (Order of Mechizedek) – see 1 Peter 2:9 a letter addressed to scattered pilgrims not a select group of clergy!

Comparisons Between Melchizedek and Levitical Priesthood.

Subject	Levitical (Aaronic)	Melchizedek (Christ)
Significance	Shadow and Example – Heb 8:5	Fulfillment – Heb 10:10
Order:	24 Courses Under David each with governor (1 Chr 24:1-19, 2 Chr 8:14).  Each had chief governor (1 Chr. 24:6,31)	24 Elders Amongst Great Multitude (Rev 4:4-5, 5:8-10)
Qualifications:	Had to Be Son of AaronNumbers 3:10	Must be Son of ChristJohn 3:3,5
Proof of Genealogy	Ezra 2:61-62	Revelation 20:15
Sanctification	Outward (2 Chr 29:5)	Inward – 1 Peter 1:16-17
Disqualifications	Physical Blemishes – Lev 21	Walking in Flesh – 1 John 1; Rom 8
Duties:
Teaching Law	Lev 10:11	Mt 28:20
(Study, Do, Teach)	Ezra 7:10	2 Tim 2:15, 4:2
Offering Sacrifices	Lev. 9	1 Peter 2:15, Heb 13:15-16; Phil 4:18
Mediators	Lev 1-7	2 Cor 5:18-19, on behalf of Christ 1 Tim 2:15
Maintaining the Temple and Tabernacle	Num 18:3	1 Cor 6;
Officiating in the Holy Place	Ex. 30:7-10	Light – 1 Thess 5:19Bread – 1 Cor 11:24 – Lord’s supper Incense – Prayer – Rev 8:4
Inspecting Unclean Persons	Lev. 13-14	1 Cor 5; Hymaneus and Alexander –eat like canker – 2 Tim 2:17
Judge Disputes	Deut 17:8-13	1 Cor 6:3-4; 5:12
Collecting Tithes / Offering	Num 18:21,26	1 Cor 9:13-14
Pronounce Blessings	Numbers 6:23-26	Romans 12:14
Sound the trumpet for battle	Deut 20:1-4; Num 10:1-10; 31:6	1 Cor 14:6-11
Purify Unclean	Galatians 6:1	1 John 5:16

Outline on Prayer

Matthew 6_5-15 Prayer Outline

The Goal of the Ministry

1 Timothy 1_5 The Goal of the Ministry

The Personality of Christ: A Meal with the Bread of Life

For Home Bible Study on Tuesday, June 7, 2011.  This week’s study will be held at the home of Matthew Hyatt.  Notes used in leading the study will be posted subsequent to the study date.

Key Verses for Study: Luke 14:1-24

Associated Scriptures: Luke 5:29-35; 6:1-10; 7:36-50; 9:13-17; 11:37-54; 22:8, 15-22; Exodus 24:9-11; Isaiah 66:1-2; Isaiah 25:6-9,

 

Questions for Discussion:

1. What is the importance of eating together with someone? How should the time of eating with others be spent?
2. What do the meals that Jesus ate with others tell you about His personality?
3. What sort of conversation would you expect if you sat to eat with Jesus of Nazareth?
4. Why was the diseased man present at the Pharisee’s house, and what does this indicate about the meal?
5. Was Jesus being rude to the host and guests?  Why or why not?
6. Where do you suppose Jesus sat at the meal?
7. Is Jesus saying we ought not to have friends over for dinner?
8. Based on the reaction of the guest in Luke 14:15, it seems he was trying to say something to ease the tension.  How might you react as a guest at that Sabbath meal?  What would have been an appropriate reaction to Jesus comments?
9. In His parables, Jesus addresses the etiquette and intentions of the guests and the host.  What was the point of His conversation?
10. How should we apply Christ’s lessons, behavior, and example today?

Ten Temptations of God in the Wilderness

Numbers 14:22  Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

Moses records this stunning pronouncement of God against the children of Israel.  After they had tempted Him 10 times in their Exodus journey, He forbids them to enter into the promised land though they later repented and sought to go.  The promised land stands as a type of the walk of faith and New Testament believers are warned, “To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness” (Heb 3:7-8).

In order to better understand how they tempted God those ten times, I’ve provided a chart listing the location and sin of the people as well as Moses’ response and God’s action.

Numbers 14_22 – List of Ten Temptations of God in the Wilderness