In His great love, God has reserved a crown of life for those who will overcome. This fact is clear when we read:
“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
“Ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
Of Paul, God’s faithful servant, inspiration has preserved for us his dying testimony, when his executioners were about to end his life: “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.” 2 Timothy 4:7–8
Sister White also writes that “A crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 590
The beloved prophet at Patmos saw four and twenty elders in heaven (from the earth) having sat down on seats laid up for them, “clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. Revelation 4:4. “Their golden crowns show that they had already finished their course, and taken their places among the citizens of heaven.” –Wesley, quoted by Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, (1897) p. 416
We need to acknowledge that language can hardly explain how the crown will be and the glory associated with it. However, Sister White, having been privileged to see that glorious land in vision, paints to us the following picture:
“We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square.” –Early Writings, p. 16
“Then I saw a very great number of angels bring from the city glorious crowns – a crown for every saint, with his name written thereon. As Jesus called for the crowns, angels presented them to Him, and with His own right hand, the lovely Jesus placed the crowns on the heads of the saints. In the same manner the angels brought the harps, and Jesus presented them also to the saints. The commanding angels first struck the note, and then every voice was raised in grateful, happy praise, and every hand skillfully swept over the strings of the harp, sending forth melodious music in rich and perfect strains” –Ibid, p. 288
“Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city. There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. These were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God.” –Ibid, p. 17
“As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white.” –Ibid, p. 18
As we read such descriptions and narrations, it is quite clear that nothing in this world is as dear as eternal life and those who are saved will be given a crown. Surely it is worth it! It is worthy, the fight necessary to get it. Since the prize is of so great value, the standard required to attain it must also be high—a perfect character. For this reason we have been urged to strive for it with determined effort. It means aligning our characters to that of Christ’s, through the sweet influence of the Holy Spirit, daily. We need to have a decided mind to accomplish this.
“We are to strive to enter in at the strait gate. But this gate does not swing loosely on its hinges. It will not admit doubtful characters. We must now strive for eternal life with an intensity that is proportionate to the value of the prize before us. It is not money or lands or position, but the possession of a Christlike character that will open to us the gates of Paradise. It is not dignity, it is not intellectual attainments, that will win for us the crown of immortality. Only the meek and lowly ones, who have made God their efficiency, will receive this gift.” –Central Advance,, April 8, 1903
“We are to do all that we can do on our part to fight the good fight of faith. We are to wrestle, to labor, to strive, to agonize to enter in at the strait gate.” –Faith and Works, p. 48. Concerning this, the Saviour said: “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12. “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Luke 16:16
“With the great truth we have been privileged to receive, we should, and under the Holy Spirit’s power we could, become living channels of light. We could then approach the mercy-seat; and seeing the bow of promise, kneel with contrite hearts, and seek the kingdom of heaven with a spiritual violence that would bring its own reward. We would take it by force, as did Jacob.” –The Review and Herald, February 14, 1899
Not long ago, while doing my studies at the national university, it was not uncommon for management to crudely distribute the stationary allowances (government transfers), in cash, just at a window. Students were queuing outside. There was an indescribable struggle as each one wanted to be the first to receive their allowance. It was not infrequent to see those in front, with great force, being pushed backward or pushed out of the queue completely and their spaces taken by others.
In the spiritual life too, remember, that if you are first you can be last, or when you think you stand you can fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). As you have queued for the crown, Satan will try to do anything possible to push you out of the line, and when that happens, the Bible says that others will fill the vacancy that you have created. Let us take care lest we create a vacancy.
“Ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” Luke 13:28–30
We need to earnestly take this crown or else we will lose it. For fear that some would be at risk of losing it, the warning comes down to us through the apostle at Patmos: “Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11
As we are striving for the crown, let us also help others to get it. This in turn will make our crowns more beautiful and laden with stars (Daniel 12:3).
“You will be given the crown of glory if you will attend to the work that God has given you.” –The General Conference Bulletin, April 14, 1903
“But as we are urged to strive for the mastery, let us aim, in the strength of Jesus, for the crown heavy with stars. ‘They that be wise shall shine as the firmament, and they that win many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.’” –The Review and Herald, October 25, 1881
We have come to the end of this lesson. My wish and prayer is that we strive with all the strength that God has given us to obtain salvation and receive the crown, and indeed be part of those who will be citizens of heaven. This is enough motivation for us, so let us meet there! Amen.
Joel L. J. Msiska