Jesus Christ is called the faithful witness1 as He was faithful, and obedient to death, even death on a cross.2 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place. Whoever shares in His sufferings, will also share in His glory,3 and the light and momentary troubles (however heavy they can be at the time) will achieve for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.4 His children will be glorified on the day of His appearance.5 Our lowly bodies will then become like His glorious resurrection-body.6
What a comfort for all those whose bodies are beaten and trampled underfoot— violated and mutilated; disfigured by human hands or by hereditary diseases and deformities and all other consequences of human sin in Creation causing their fall, sickness and old age, and ultimately death. Genesis 2:16-17 ‘The Lord God commanded man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
The crown of life: what a comfort and a hope for the millions of aborted children we did not allow to live, for whatever reason; the stillborn; the mentally and/or physically handicapped; and others with bodies ravaged by sickness, aging or other causes. The Lord knows those who are His,7 and eternity lasts a long time, compared with the shortness of our earthly existence!
Several crowns are mentioned in the New Testament. First of all, there is the crown of life, which the martyrs receive. This crown is also referred to by James as being set aside for the man (and the woman) who perseveres under trial.8 Then there is the crown of glory that will never fade away, which is promised, in particular, to the elders, the ministers and the shepherds of the flock.9 Then there is the crown of exultation for those who brought others to Christ.10 There is also mention of the crown of righteousness, which is for all those who have loved His appearance.11 And finally there is the crown that will last forever, for those who kept their body in check, chastised it and disciplined themselves to work hard.12 Let the crowns and laurel wreaths inspire us to be faithful and persevere under trial so that we will be unashamed at His coming.13
There will be a reward according to works. There is salvation on the basis of free grace and faith alone—it is by grace you have been saved14—but the works we are allowed to do, by His grace, will also be rewarded. God will judge the quality of our works. Works of wood, hay or straw will be consumed by the fire, but works of gold, silver and costly stones will brave the flames resplendently.15 An Old Dutch hymn says: ‘All that was done out of love for Jesus will keep its value and will remain forever.’
• The second death is being thrown into the lake of fire, of burning sulphur, Revelation 20:6, 14; 21:8. More will be said of this later. The first death is the death of the body that every human being experiences and the second death is eternal death. Jesus says: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell: fear Him!” (Matthew 10:28)
• Smyrna, fifty kilometres north of Ephesus at the seashore, was also a prosperous seaport and had dedicated a temple to Roma, the goddess of Rome. It became a centre of Emperor Worship and even won a competition in Asia to be allowed to build a temple for Emperor Tiberius.
Bible References:
1.Revelation 1:5 2.Philippians 2:8–9 3.Romans 8:17; Philippians 3:10–11; 1 Peter 5:10 4.2 Corinthians 4:17–18 5. 2 Thessalonians 1:3–10 6.Philippians 3:20–21 7.2 Timothy 2:19; Numbers 16:5 8.James 1:12 9.1 Peter 5:1–4 10.1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; Philippians 4:1 11.2 Timothy 4:8 12. 1 Corinthians 9:25–27 13.1 John 2:28 14.Ephesians 2:4–10 15. 1 Corinthians 3:10–15
