If there is no enemy there’s no fight. If no fight, no victory, and if no victory there is no crown.
Preface
The reward of The Crown of Life is prophetically spoken and given by Jesus to those faithful servants who have learned perseverance under trials and sufferance. While most of this blog will discuss aspects of perseverance, the initial objective is to disclose the powerful meaning of the ‘crown.’
Grace to Endure to the End
The word used to define “crown” is Stephanos or Stefanos, in Greek Στέφανος, is a masculine given name derived from the Greek word στέφανος (stéphanos), meaning “wreath, crown” and by extension “reward, honor, renown, fame”, from the verb στέφειν (stéphein), “to encircle, to wreathe”.
Who is Stephanos in the Bible?
Since the name “Stephanos” is Greek, it has been assumed that he was one of these Hellenistic Jews. Stephen is stated to have been full of faith and the Holy Spirit and to have performed miracles among the people. Stephen was an apostle who lived and spread the Gospel message of the Kingdom of God, which led to him becoming the first Christian martyr.
What is the general need for perseverance?
Various studies have shown that perseverance is an essential quality for success in life (Duckworth, 2016). It often tops aptitude and raw talent and is a more accurate predictor of achievement. Our ability to stick with our tasks, goals, and passions is vital. Persevering entails effort and practice.
Generally speaking, the definition of perseverance is the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition: the action or condition or an instance of perseverance: steadfastness.
What does it mean to persevere spiritually?
True believers “bear fruit with perseverance.” (Luke 8:15) Our spirit is saved by faith in Christ’s sacrifice, and our soul ( mind, will, and emotions) is saved by faith and endurance! (Luke 21:19) That doesn’t mean you’re saved by works, but it means your perseverance is vitally rooted in your salvation.
Is perseverance a spiritual discipline?
In the book, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, author Richard Foster lists four inner disciplines [meditation, prayer, fasting, study], four outward disciplines [living a simple lifestyle, solitude, submission, and service], and last, there are four corporate disciplines [confession, worship, guidance, and celebration].
Though Foster did not list perseverance as a spiritual discipline, I would suggest that perseverance is a combination of all three, inner, outward, and corporate within the faithful follower’s life.
In a somewhat different perspective, Augustine defined perseverance as a gift by which one perseveres up to the end of their life, if a person dies as a believer they had been given the gift, but if one dies as an unbeliever, even if he used to once believe, he did not have this gift given.
The last of the classic spiritual exercises is perseverance, endurance, and patience. Hebrews 10:36 says that we “need to endure so that, after we have done the will of God, we may inherit all that He has promised.” Our rest will come in heaven.
What is the ultimate reward for perseverance?
The Crown of Life
In the Holy Scriptures, there are five crowns mentioned:
- The everlasting crown- 1Cor. 9:25
- A crown for the one who wins souls- Php. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19
- A crown of righteousness- 2 Tim. 4:8
- A crown of glory- 1 Peter 5:4
- The Crown of Life– James 1:12; Rev. 2:10
Many well-meaning teachers, pastors, and biblical educators have incorrectly interpreted the contextual meaning of the Crown of Life to mean eternal life. Yet eternal life is offered exclusively by God by grace and faith of the redeemed. This is made possible through the person, acts, message, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
James, one of the Master’s disciples communicates that regard it all as joy, when you face various kinds of temptations…, “Blessed is the man/woman who endures temptation; for when he/she has been approved, he/she will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him“. James 1:2,12
As a faithful disciple of Christ, Jesus grants the Crown of Life to those who persevere in faith through temptation, tribulation, and persecution. Even in His early earthly ministry, Jesus foretold any would-be lifelong followers that “How blessed are those who are persecuted because they pursue righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:10
This matter of testing, trials, and temptations is so much part of spiritual regeneration that the Master while praying to the Heavenly Father, asked “And do not lead us into hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.” Matthew 6:13 Complete Jewish Bible
There are three enemy sources of attacks on the disciple’s life while on earth. They consist of the sinful inclination of our flesh, the spirit of the world, and Satan.
You once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh; in addition to “this world” and “passions of our flesh”, “the term air often referred to the spiritual realm of angels and demons” Ephesians 2:2–3a
Our Lord and Savior grant the Crown of Life to those who persevere in faith through these three danger zones. Such an honor given as a reward during this life is a wonderful encouragement to stay strong and stay the course while faithfully abiding in Christ until His return.
The second reference to the Crown of Life is recorded in the Revelation of Jesus the Messiah by disciple John, “Do not fear any of these things which you are to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the Crown of Life. “
This passage by John depicts the Glorified Lord warning Believers in Smyrna that the devil is coming to accuse and test them. Some will be cast in prison while others will suffer death. The ever-present Lord and Savior encouraged them, as He continues to encourage us today, to remain faithful as He will bless and honor them/us with the Crown of Life when they/us stand before Him in the resurrection. They/we will obtain special honor in the eternal life to come!
Closing Sentiments
For the Ekklesia, [called out ones] in this generation, the Great I Am is encouraging Christ’s faithful disciples to faint not in living out loud boldly this spiritual gift and discipline of perseverance. These are difficult times and seasons, yet we all must remain encouraged while standing strong, the Crown of Life symbolizes that one’s spiritually understands the divine purpose for which each has been spiritually regenerated.
The glorious light of God will be manifested within the yielded vessels of clay as disciples of Christ while we suffer for righteousness’ sake. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, or persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword?
In all of these things, we are more than conquerors through the Lord who loved us enough to lay down His life for you and me. We identify with Him when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Just as He suffered persecution although He was altogether righteous. As we endure persecution, we inherit the Kingdom. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Amen
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo