The Five Crowns, also known as the Five Heavenly Crowns, is a concept in Christian theology that pertains to various biblical references to the righteous's eventual reception of a crown after the Last Judgment. [2] Proponents of this concept interpret these passages as specifying five separate crowns, these being the Crown of Life; the Incorruptible Crown; the Crown of Righteousness; the Crown of Glory; and the Crown of Exultation. [2] In the Greek language, stephanos (στέφανος) is the word for crown and is translated as such in the Bible, especially in versions descending from the King James Version. [3] These five rewards can be earned by believers, according to the New Testament, as "rewards for faithfulness in this life". [4]
The Crown of Life, also called the Martyr's Crown, is referred to in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10; it is bestowed upon "those who persevere under trials." [5] [6] Jesus references this crown when he tells the Church in Smyrna to "not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." [7]
The Incorruptible Crown is also known as the Imperishable Crown, and is referenced in 1 Corinthians 9:25. [2] This epistle, written by Paul of Tarsus, deems this crown "imperishable" in order "to contrast it with the temporal awards Paul's contemporaries pursued". [8] It is therefore given to those individuals who demonstrate "self-denial and perseverance". [8]
The Crown of Righteousness is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8, [2] and is promised to "those who love and anticipate" the Second Coming of Christ. [9] These Christians desire intimacy with God. [10]
The Crown of Glory is discussed in 1 Peter 5:4 and is granted to Christian clergy, who "shepherd the flock in unselfish love being a good example to others" 1 Peter 5:2–4. [11] [12]
The Crown of Rejoicing is also known as the Crown of Exultation, or Crown of Auxiliary. [2] Delineated in 1 Thessalonians 2:19 and Philippians 4:1, it is given to people who engage in evangelism of those outside the Christian Church. [13] In the New Testament, Paul earns this crown after winning the Thessalonians to faith in Jesus. [14]
Christian eschatology, a major branch of study within Christian theology, deals with "last things". Such eschatology – the word derives from two Greek roots meaning "last" (ἔσχατος) and "study" (-λογία) – involves the study of "end things", whether of the end of an individual life, of the end of the age, of the end of the world, or of the nature of the Kingdom of God. Broadly speaking, Christian eschatology focuses on the ultimate destiny of individual souls and of the entire created order, based primarily upon biblical texts within the Old and New Testaments.
The Second Coming is a Christian and Islamic belief that Jesus will return again, after his ascension to heaven about two thousand years ago. The idea is based on messianic prophecies and is part of most Christian eschatologies.
Perseverance of the saints is a Christian teaching that asserts that once a person is truly "born of God" or "regenerated" by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they will continue doing good works and believing in God until the end of their life.
In religion, paradise is a place of exceptional happiness and delight. Paradisiacal notions are often laden with pastoral imagery, and may be cosmogonical or eschatological or both, often compared to the miseries of human civilization: in paradise there is only peace, prosperity, and happiness. Paradise is a place of contentment, a land of luxury and fulfillment. Paradise is often described as a "higher place", the holiest place, in contrast to this world, or underworlds such as Hell.
The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Reckoning, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, Doomsday or The Day of the Lord is part of the Abrahamic religions and in the Frashokereti of Zoroastrianism.
In Christian eschatology, the post-tribulation rapture doctrine is the belief in a combined resurrection and gathering of the saints coming after the Great Tribulation.
Matthew 6:1 is the first verse of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This verse begins the discussion of how even good deeds can be done for the wrong reasons.
In the Mormon theology and cosmology there are three degrees of glory which are the ultimate, eternal dwelling place for nearly all who lived on earth after they are resurrected from the spirit world.
The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus in the canonical gospels are reported to have occurred after Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, but prior to his ascension. Among these sources, most scholars believe the First Epistle to the Corinthians was written first. Most Christians point to the appearances as evidence of his bodily resurrection and identity as Messiah, seated in Heaven on the right hand of God. Others, including Liberal Christians, interpret these accounts as visionary experiences.
In Christian theology, Hell is the place or state into which, by God's definitive judgment, unrepentant sinners pass in the general judgment, or, as some Christians believe, immediately after death. Its character is inferred from teaching in the biblical texts, some of which, interpreted literally, have given rise to the popular idea of Hell. Theologians today generally see Hell as the logical consequence of rejecting union with God and with God's justice and mercy.
Hades, according to various Christian denominations, is "the place or state of departed spirits", borrowing the name of Hades, the Greek god of the underworld.
In Judaism, Islam, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and early Christianity the Third Heaven is a division of Heaven in religious cosmology. In some traditions it is considered the abode of God, and in others a lower level of Paradise, commonly one of seven.
Light of the World is a phrase Jesus used to describe himself and his disciples in the New Testament. The phrase is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew (5:14–16) and John (8:12). It is closely related to the parables of Salt and Light and Lamp under a bushel, which also appear in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
Judgement in an afterlife, in which ones deeds and characteristics in life determine either punishment or reward, is a central theme of many religions. Almost all religions are greatly devoted to the afterlife, emphasizing that what you do in your current life affects what happens to you after death.
In Christianity, heaven is traditionally the location of the throne of God and the angels of God, and in most forms of Christianity it is the abode of the righteous dead in the afterlife. In some Christian denominations it is understood as a temporary stage before the resurrection of the dead and the saints' return to the New Earth.
General resurrection or universal resurrection is the belief in a resurrection of the dead, or resurrection from the dead by which most or all people who have died would be resurrected. Various forms of this concept can be found in Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Samaritanism and Zoroastrian eschatology.
In the Book of Revelation, seven trumpets are sounded, one at a time, to cue apocalyptic events seen by John of Patmos in his vision. The seven trumpets are sounded by seven angels and the events that follow are described in detail from Revelation Chapters 8 to 11. According to Revelation 8:1–2 the angels sound these trumpets after the breaking of the seventh seal. These seals secured the apocalyptic document held in the right hand of Him who sits on the throne. The trumpets are referred to in Koine Greek as σάλπιγξ ; this was a straight, narrow bronze tube with a mouthpiece of bone and a bell; they do not resemble modern trumpets. The final three trumpets are sometimes called the "woe trumpets".
Eternal life traditionally refers to continued life after death, as outlined in Christian eschatology. The Apostles' Creed testifies: "I believe... the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting." In this view, eternal life commences after the second coming of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead, although in the New Testament's Johannine literature there are references to eternal life commencing in the earthly life of the believer, possibly indicating an inaugurated eschatology.
1 Thessalonians 1 is the first chapter of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, likely written in Corinth in about 50-51 CE for the church in Thessalonica. This chapter contains the prescript and Paul's thanksgiving for the church.
2 Thessalonians 1 is the first chapter of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the church in Thessalonica by Apostle Paul, likely in Corinth shortly after the first epistle, although there were debatable charges that it is the work of a secondary imitator after Paul's death. This chapter contains the prescript, thanksgiving and encouragement for the recipients.
As we have seen, when the Lord returns, he will judge believers for their works (Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 4:5; 2 Co. 5:10). Everyone will be asked to give an account of the use he has made of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), the pounds or minas (Luke 19:11-27), and the opportunities (Matt. 20:1-16) that have been entrusted to him. The day will declare whether a man has built of wood, hay, and straw or of gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Cor. 3:12). If of the former, his works will be burnt up, and yet he will be saved so as through fire (v. 15); if of the latter, he will receive a reward (v. 14). Scripture lists several crowns or trophies: the incorruptible or imperishable crown (1 Cor. 9:25), the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8), the crown of life (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10), the crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4), and the crown of rejoicing or exultation (1 Thess. 2:19; cf. Phil. 4:1).
In AV, 'crown' represents two Gr. words: (1) stephanos (whence sephanoō, 'to crown'), (2) diadema; the former being the badge of merit of victory, the latter (found only in Rev 123 131 1912) the mark of royalty.
There's also the crown of life in James 1:12, reserved for those who persevere under trials.
And James says, in his epistle, that those who are tried "shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
The Crown of Life: This is awarded to those who have endured suffering, those men and women who "gutted it out" through hardship and adversity. Jesus told the church in Smyrna: "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. . . . Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."
This crown is called imperishable to contrast it with the temporal awards Paul's contemporaries pursued. The olive wreath-the "crown" for competitors-was sure to wither away. The ever-enduring "endurance crown" is given for profound examples of self-denial and perseverance.
This crown is promised to those who love an anticipate our Lord's appearance. These are the ones who live in the light of eternity and the expectation of Christ's imminent return. So motivated, they will not be among those who will experience shame at Christ's coming (1 John 2:28).
The Crown of Righteousness: This is given to those who crave intimacy with God. It's the special award for those who year for Jesus' coming: "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."
1 Peter 5:4 the Crown of Glory for Pastors and Elders who serve the flock in unselfish love.
But the words of Eusebius put all out of doubt: "O ye friends and Priests of God, which are clothed with the holy long garment, and the heavenly crown of glory, and with the divine unction, and the priestly robe of the Holy Ghost," & c.
Crown 5: The Crown of Rejoicing - This is for these in the body of Christ who do the work of an evangelist or who operates as an evangelist, the crown is given to anyone who won souls for Christ.
So, then, Paul emphasizes the reward. He was confident that he had rewards coming to him. He had earned one crown at least--a crown of rejoicing and exultation; the triumph of his dear Thessalonians had assured him of this fact.