We have heard about five crowns in our teaching over the years from Bible Believing Preachers.   Now, I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert on crowns, but then again, there isn't much on them, either.  It seems that they make for good preaching and depending on the man who preached them, most just tend to believe him and his application.

1)  Crown of righteousness
2)  Crown of life
3)  Crown of rejoicing
4)  Incorruptible Crown
5)  Crown of glory

Let's do a rightly divided review of crowns.

Always keep in mind, if something is not rightly divided, God considers it profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  The TRUTH of "how" God says something is usually quite striking, eh!

Also see what God says of the scholars and pastors who use modern perverted bibles and Greek and Hebrew, etc. in I Timothy 6:3-5.  Have you ever noticed that how folks say what they think and what God says He thinks is usually the difference between day and night - light and darkness - right and wrong - heaven or hell!

anyway... back to crowns!

1.  Will these crowns be on our head literally?  I don't know.  See Revelation 4:4-10.  They had literal crowns to case.    I figure we would to, but the Bible doesn't say we will!  That reference in Revelation 4 is not us...

Can we lose the crowns?  see Revelation 3:11 - and note the church age that comment is made!   (we will look at our 'inheritance' closer next week - and whether or not we lose something, etc.)

II Timothy 4:8  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.

received at THAT DAY!  - at our departure!  see verses 6,7.  Death or rapture...  this must be a judgment seat item!  ... Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  When Christ appears on the earth, there will be few who actually 'love his appearing!'

This crown is not JUST for those loving his appearing.  That is just the main entrance 'ticket' to be considered...  if you don't love his appearing, then forget about the rest!  After all of this work down here, will you love His appearing?  Are you already lookiing for Him?  Are you happy doing His works?  Will you be happy when He finally does appear to us?

You must know your place in God's design and order!

To Timothy inv erses 2, 5-7: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
watch thou in all things
endure afflictions
do the work of an evangelist
make full proof of THY ministry

In your personal life - as a man, husband, father, woman, wife, mother
are you ready to be offered?
is the time of your departure at hand?

Have you fought a good fight?
Have you finished your course?
Have you kept the faith?

HENCEFORTH...
the righteousness that will not burn as wood hay and stubble must be HIS today to receive the crown of righteousness tomorrow!  Galatians 2:20!

See James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10 - not for us today - period!
If we don't endure temptation, do we die today?  NO, but they will in the Tribulation.
The crown of life is not just for those who love him!
The hour of temptation is still the Laodicean church age Revelation 3:10, but we surely don't die when we blow a temptation!

I Thessalonians 2:19,20
A "soul winner's" crown then... or now?  NOW!
It is because of the fact that they will be there and HOW they will be there!

Paul "delivers," he doesn't 'win' souls.
See Romans 7:24 (from body of this death); Galatians 1:4 (sins); and II Timothy 4:18 (works)!

I Corinthians 9:25 and also see II Timothy 2:5
We must strive lawfully!  (RD, no stumbling, expedient, edify, etc.)

I Peter 5:1-4
for elders feeding the flock!
how a pastor should NOT pastor a flock (verse 2,3)
this one does not fade away AFTER you receive it!

a virtuous woman is a crown to her ???  -  Proverbs 12:4  (or rottenness in his bones...)

for the prudent - Proverbs 14:18 - crowned with knowlege (prudent - Cautious; circumspect; practically wise; careful of the consequences of enterprises, measures or actions; cautious not to act when the end is of doubtful utility)

the hoary head is a crown of glory, IF... it be found in the way of righteousness - Proverbs 16:31

What is the crown of old men?  their children's children - Proverbs 17:6

what is the glory of children?  their fathers - Proverbs 17:6