The crown of life is eternal life … the opposite of eternal death
James 1:12-16 • “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those
who love Him … But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it
is full-grown, brings forth (eternal) death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren”
Those who really love Jesus will be obedient and overcome sin!
Revelation 2:10-11 • “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
The second death refers to eternal death …
“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
(Revelation 20:14)
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be
My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns
with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)
The crown of life is also called the crown of righteousness
2 Timothy 4:7-8 • “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
In the great tribulation of the antichrist,
keeping the faith (until the end of one’s life) is necessary for salvation …
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures (in his faith)
to the end (of his life) shall be saved.” (Mark 13:13, Matthew 10:22)
“But he who endures (in his faith) to the end (of his life) shall be saved.” (Matt 24:13)
Also see 1 Cor 16:13, Gal 5:1, Phil 4:1, Col 1:22-23, Heb 10:35-36, James 5:7-8, 1 Pet 5:9
And one’s righteousness must be obediently practiced (maintained) to keep it …
“… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7)
“… (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness” (Romans 6:16)
The crown of life is also called the imperishable crown
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 • “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,
but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached
to others, I myself should become disqualified (from salvation).”
More about running to win, without being disqualified …
“… lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.” (Galatians 2:2)
“… he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” (2 Timothy 2:5)
The crown of life is also called the crown of glory
1 Peter 5:1-4 • “… and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you (the faithful elders)
will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
“The believer who perseveres will receive the crown of life. The “crown of life”
is the crown of victory over sin, or the crown of victory in our life’s race.
The main meaning of the crown of life is salvation, or eternal life.”
… The Applied New Testament Commentary (Thomas Hale)
Dr. Hale, a Spirit-filled believer, served as a medical missionary in Nepal.
Important …
Please notice that there are NO crowns (plural) mentioned anywhere above!
No different crowns of varying values … re: rewards.
When it comes to the crown of eternal life, there is only one!
One crown of eternal life to each successful “runner” who overcomes sin, and etc.
Regarding the necessity of being an overcomer …
please see Rev 2:10-11 and Rev 21:7-8 above (and also Rev 3:5).
And please note Jesus’ definition of who an overcomer is … in Rev 3:21.
James 1:12-16 • “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those
who love Him … But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it
is full-grown, brings forth (eternal) death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren”
Those who really love Jesus will be obedient and overcome sin!
Revelation 2:10-11 • “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
The second death refers to eternal death …
“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
(Revelation 20:14)
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be
My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns
with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)
The crown of life is also called the crown of righteousness
2 Timothy 4:7-8 • “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
In the great tribulation of the antichrist,
keeping the faith (until the end of one’s life) is necessary for salvation …
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures (in his faith)
to the end (of his life) shall be saved.” (Mark 13:13, Matthew 10:22)
“But he who endures (in his faith) to the end (of his life) shall be saved.” (Matt 24:13)
Also see 1 Cor 16:13, Gal 5:1, Phil 4:1, Col 1:22-23, Heb 10:35-36, James 5:7-8, 1 Pet 5:9
And one’s righteousness must be obediently practiced (maintained) to keep it …
“… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7)
“… (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness” (Romans 6:16)
The crown of life is also called the imperishable crown
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 • “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,
but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached
to others, I myself should become disqualified (from salvation).”
More about running to win, without being disqualified …
“… lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.” (Galatians 2:2)
“… he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” (2 Timothy 2:5)
The crown of life is also called the crown of glory
1 Peter 5:1-4 • “… and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you (the faithful elders)
will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
“The believer who perseveres will receive the crown of life. The “crown of life”
is the crown of victory over sin, or the crown of victory in our life’s race.
The main meaning of the crown of life is salvation, or eternal life.”
… The Applied New Testament Commentary (Thomas Hale)
Dr. Hale, a Spirit-filled believer, served as a medical missionary in Nepal.
Important …
Please notice that there are NO crowns (plural) mentioned anywhere above!
No different crowns of varying values … re: rewards.
When it comes to the crown of eternal life, there is only one!
One crown of eternal life to each successful “runner” who overcomes sin, and etc.
Regarding the necessity of being an overcomer …
please see Rev 2:10-11 and Rev 21:7-8 above (and also Rev 3:5).
And please note Jesus’ definition of who an overcomer is … in Rev 3:21.
