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DO WE GET CROWNS IN HEAVEN?
HOLY HOLY HOLY
words by Reginald Heber
"Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore
thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the
glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim, falling down before
thee,
which wert, and art, and evermore shallt
be."
This is actually a silly paper, after all it
really doesn't matter if we do or don't get
crowns in heaven. However in order to
maintain Biblical accuracy it is worthwhile
to spend time in the Word, after all the
Word is good and accurate and healthy for
studying.
Most people seem to think that we get crowns
in heaven. The appropriate question here is:
Why do they think that? Well, most people
heard it in a song or a hymn. Now that is a
very good theological source, don't you
think? (OK, I am being a bit facetious).
Others seem to remember something in the
Bible about throwing their crowns at Jesus'
feet and thus are convinced that they get
crowns.
The folks who believe we get crowns believe
that we get them at the exclusion of others
who don't get crowns. The theory here being
in part that since we don't get judged by
works, the crowns are rewards for our works.
Thus those who are "holier and better" get
crowns above those sleazy beer drinking
non-committal Christians. Even our "Open
Bible" publishers are convinced that we get
crowns at the exclusion of others. My
premise is that there is not enough in the
Bible to base any solid theology on this, at
best, there is a single vague verse that
implies it. All the other "apparent"
weight that we presume is actually non
existent once carefully scrutinized.
Let's study the verses together. In the
original appendix that I used to distribute
with this paper was every single New
Testament verse that has the word 'crown' or
some superset of it (like crowns or
crowneth). They were found using a computer
& then they were separated into three
groups:
a) the crowns of Jesus,
b) the crowns of the beast and his minions,
and
c) the crowns that we or others get (like
the ones Paul mention).
I have kept group c) because that's the
group that we are interested in.
The other groups are obviously not about us
and if you wish to see them go to
www.biblegateway.com
and look up crowns. Or look in your Bible.
So now looking at group c), we find that
there are only 10 occurrences of the word
crown or crowns or some
derivation of the word in this context. They
are attached to the end of this paper.
Naturally due to the limitation of paper
(and copyright considerations) I did not
copy the entire chapter out. But as you go
along, pull out your own Bible and make sure
I am looking at each incident in the correct
context.
Let us take reference 10. first
because this is the one verse that everybody
is thinking of when they think about crowns
(all emphasis is mine).
Revelation - Chapter 4
4 Surrounding the throne were
twenty-four other thrones, and seated on
them were twenty-four elders. They were
dressed in white and had crowns of gold
on their heads.
10 the twenty-four elders fall down
before him who sits on the throne, and
worship him who lives for ever and ever.
They lay their crowns before the throne
and say:
11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, and by your
will they were created and have their
being."
This is the only reference in the entire
Bible about anyone casting crowns at the
feet of Jesus!
Seriously now do you honestly think that you
are one of the 24 elders? Because if you are
you will get a crown that you will throw it
at Jesus' feet, but if you are like
everybody else (like Martin Luther, or like
Billy Graham etc) you aren't an elder.
This verse is the verse that people vaguely
remember and cast about as their
justification of receiving crowns.
Now lets take the rest of the references one
by one (but not in order):
Ref. 2. I Corinthians - Chapter 9:24.
24 Do you not know that in a race all
the runners run, but only one gets the
prize? Run in such a way as to get the
prize.
25 Everyone who competes in the games
goes into strict training. They do it to
get a crown that will not last; but we
do it to get a crown that will last
forever.
26 Therefore I do not run like a man
running aimlessly; I do not fight like a
man beating the air.
This passage seems to imply that we are
doing everything for an
incorruptible/everlasting crown. But the
whole verse is referring to symbolic things,
we are in a symbolic race, we have a
symbolic incorruptible/everlasting crown
(This is eternal life that Paul is
mentioning). Finally this passage does not
mention this as a reward for any particular
deed, just as a reward to having completed
the race. Hopefully all who are in heaven
have completed the race. So they all will
get this incorruptible crown. So it is not
at the exclusion of others nor is it for
something special that you do.
Ref 3. Philippians 4
1Therefore, my brothers, you whom I
love and long for, my joy and
crown, that is how you should
stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
This is my favorite. Here is Paul talking
about his own crown. And what is it?
Gold? Silver? No, it is the people
themselves. Surely this is also a figurative
crown; or could we imagine these people will
be standing in a circle on Paul's head in
heaven - being his literal crown? This gives
weight to the next reference.
Ref 1. I Thessalonians - Chapter 2
17 But, brothers, when we were torn
away from you for a short time (in
person, not in thought), out of our
intense longing we made every effort to
see you.
18 For we wanted to come to
you--certainly I, Paul, did,
again and again--but Satan stopped us.
19 For what is our hope,
our joy, or the crown in which we will
glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus
when he comes? Is it not you?
20 Indeed, you are our
glory and joy.
So it's not that we get a physical crown,
these are people who are his crowns.
Read ref 3. again.
On to ref 4.
Ref 4. II Timothy 2:5
4 No one serving as a soldier gets
involved in civilian affairs--he wants
to please his commanding officer.
5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an
athlete, he does not receive the
victor's crown unless he competes
according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer should be
the first to receive a share of the
crops.
The Living Bible paraphrases it this way:
"Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work,
just as an athlete either follows the rules
or is disqualified and wins no prize."
Heavenly crowns? No real strong implications
here, it could mean a number of things. It
certainly doesn't talk about getting an
actual crown as a reward for good deeds or
anything. Maybe for the mastery of
something, and a lawful mastery of course.
Try a commentary if you still think this
refers to a spiritual crown in heaven that
we get at the exclusion of others.
Ref 5. II Timothy - Chapter 4
7 I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race, I have kept the
faith.
8 Now there is in store for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will award to me on
that day--and not only to me,
but also to all who have longed for his
appearing.
This is another of my favorites. Proponents
of Crowns say "Here it is in black and white
- Paul is going to get a crown of
Righteousness in heaven."
Well, look at the rest of the verse. Who
else gets the crown? Everybody who
longs/loves (KJV) the appearing of Jesus.
Do you even think that there will be people
in heaven who won't love or long for the
appearing of Jesus? No, of course all of us
who are saved love his appearing, thus all
of us are going to get crowns of
righteousness. If this is a
physical/spiritual crown everybody
gets one.
I , and since I carry no weight, Merrill F.
Unger Th.D Ph.D ETc. of the commonly used
Unger's Bible Dictionary believes that this
is also a figurative crown. All of
US, "will be crowned in righteousness". Just
like Jesus will be crowned in beauty. This
certainly does not seem like a crown that is
obtained at the exclusion of any others.
Ref 6. James - Chapter 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.
Do you love the Lord? May I be bold enough
to say that only those who love the Lord
will be saved and in Heaven? Now read the
last part of this verse "which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him. " So like
Ref 5. this crown of life is for everyone.
Incidentally what do you think the crown of
life is? I'd say (with a lot of theological
support) that James is talking about Eternal
Life. I daren't try wearing that on my head
at the exclusion of a fellow believer.
Ref 7. I Peter - Chapter 5
1 To the elders among you, I appeal
as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's
sufferings and one who also will share
in the glory to be revealed:
2 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;
3 not lording it over those entrusted
to you, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd
appears, you will receive the
crown of glory that will
never fade away.
5 Young men, in the same way be
submissive to those who are older. All
of you, clothe yourselves with humility
toward one another, because, "God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble."
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under
God's mighty hand, that he may lift you
up in due time.
This is probably the only verse that sort of
even hints that the shepherds and pastors
and teachers and elders could receive a
crown of glory. However most Bible
commentators feel that this is also a
figurative crown not a physical/spiritual
crown. It is more probable that this verse
indicates that those who have been shepherds
will be esteemed or share some of Christ's
glory (in a minute way). But as far as
proposing an entire system of rewards based
on crowns, one slightly vague verse does not
theology make.
Ref 8. Revelation - Chapter 2
10 Do not be afraid of what you are
about to suffer. I tell you, the devil
will put some of you in prison to test
you, and you will suffer persecution for
ten days. Be faithful, even to the point
of death, and I will give you the crown
of life.
The crown of life - what is it? Eternal
life! Or could we imagine that it is a
physical crown? Referring back to Ref 6
above, seems to imply that it is also "which
the Lord hath promised to them that love
him." Again, do you love the Lord? I think
all of His sheep do.
Ref 9. Revelation - Chapter 3
7"To the angel of the church in
Philadelphia write: These are the words
of him who is holy and true, who holds
the key of David. What he opens no one
can shut, and what he shuts no one can
open.
8 I know your deeds. See, I have
placed before you an open door that no
one can shut. I know that you have
little strength, yet you have kept my
word and have not denied my name.
9 I will make those who are of the
synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews
though they are not, but are liars--I
will make them come and fall down at
your feet and acknowledge that I have
loved you.
10 Since you have kept my command to
endure patiently, I will also keep you
from the hour of trial that is going to
come upon the whole world to test those
who live on the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what
you have, so that no one will take your
crown.
12 Him who overcomes I will make a
pillar in the temple of my God. Never
again will he leave it. I will write on
him the name of my God and the name of
the city of my God, the new Jerusalem,
which is coming down out of heaven from
my God; and I will also write on him my
new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit says to the churches.
As we read the whole passage - we realize
that God isn't talking about a physical
crown but is again talking about eternal
life and the persecution of the Church.
Don't let anyone take it away from you. Read
it again. " Hold on to what you have
." It could be that we already have it – in
which case what would that be? Eternal Life?
Most probably! As far as the stuff in verse
12 onwards, that would be for all believers.
Again this reference to a crown is rather
vague and not really usable to nail down any
definite theology.
So that is all the references to crowns that
relate to us mere mortals. Not much of a
case to prove that we get crowns. Is there?
Certainly not enough to base theology on.
So as I said - who really cares if we get
crowns or not? I don't.
"I just want to hear my Father say
'Well Done'. Wanna' be a God-pleaser,
don't wanna' be a man-pleaser.' Petra
Forever as always in the service of the
Powerful Creator and Merciful Saviour.
Neil Mammen, San Jose, CA
1988
(Written after hours at AMD on an IBM XT
running at 10MHz using a KJV Bible Search
Program)
Updated May 22, 1999 (on a Pentium 400MHz,
using
www.biblegateway.com,
it took just as long to update it on the
faster machine as it took to write it
originally, proving that faster machines
don't neccessarily make us more productive).
KJV search for crowns
(only kept that ones that apply to
mankind and not God)
1. I Thessalonians - Chapter 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?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
2. I Corinthians - Chapter 9
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race
run
all, but one receiveth the prize? So run,
that ye
may obtain.
25 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.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly;
so fight
I, not as one that beateth the air:
3. Philippians 4
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and
longed
for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the
Lord,
my dearly beloved.
4. II Timothy - Chapter 2
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself
with the
affairs of this life; that he may please him
who
hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries,
yet is he
not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be
first
partaker of the fruits.
5. II Timothy - Chapter 4
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the
time of
my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my
course, I have kept the faith:
8 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.
6. James - Chapter 1
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a
burning
heat, but it withereth the grass, and the
flower
thereof falleth, and the grace of the
fashion of it
perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade
away in
his ways.
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.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am
tempted
of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil,
neither tempteth he any man:
7. I Peter - Chapter 5
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear,
ye
shall receive a crown of glory that
fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves
unto the
elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to
another,
and be clothed with humility: for God
resisteth
the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
8. Revelation - Chapter 2
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and
poverty,
(but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy
of
them which say they are Jews, and are not,
but are
the synagogue of Satan.
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.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what
the
Spirit saith unto the churches; He that
overcometh
shall not be hurt of the second death.
9. Revelation - Chapter 3
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my
patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of
temptation,
which shall come upon all the world, to try
them
that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast
which
thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar
in the
temple of my God, and he shall go no more
out: and
I will write upon him the name of my God,
and the
name of the city of my God, which is new
Jerusalem,
which cometh down out of heaven from my God:
and I
will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what
the
Spirit saith unto the churches.
10. Revelation - Chapter 4
4 And round about the throne were four and
twenty
seats: and upon the seats I saw four and
twenty
elders sitting, clothed in white raiment;
and they
had on their heads crowns of gold.
10 The four and twenty elders fall down
before him
that sat on the throne, and worship him that
liveth
for ever and ever, and cast their crowns
before the
throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory
and
honour and power: for thou hast created all
things, and for thy pleasure they are and
were
created.
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