2022-06-17
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Last week, the Holy Spirit directed me to write about the elements of joy. The kind of joy that God gives, which is lasting. When the Lord Jesus was crucified, of the three men hung on crosses that day, He was the only one whose legs were not broken, This was an answer to the prophecies of EX 12: 46, NU 9: 12, PS 34: 20, and JN 19: 32-37, particularly vs 36. I mention this here because this is just one example of the fact that such things as these are no accident. God’s will shall be done. IS 46: 10, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, to what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand and I will do all I please.’” Having said that, it should be asked, where is the joy in Christ’s Atonement? The answer is that His sacrifice of His physical life brings joy to all who believe in Him and are obedient to His teaching, in the form of eternal forgiveness of sin [1 JN 1: 9,] justification [RO 4: 3], and salvation [JN 3: 16]. As for Christ’s joy, He receives that in heaven with being honored and given the crown of glory. Christ lost His physical life, but He lives on forever spiritually.
Now let’s look at the crowns mentioned in the Scriptures, the ones glorified humans can earn. Remember that being glorified means God has chosen to take them up to heaven for eternal life. Crown of separation: Ezra 6:21. “The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the Lord God of Israel, ate the Passover…Ezra 9:1, Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites.” Next comes the crown of protection: Psalm 121:7, “The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.” Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” The crown of incorruptibility: 1 COR 15: 54, “When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: ’Death has been swallowed up in victory.’” 2 TIM 1: 9b-10, “This grace was given to us by Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but has been made manifest now by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, Who has annulled death, and brought to light life and incorruptibility through the Gospel.” Crown of Rejoicing: PS 8: 5, “You [God] have made them [humans who love God] a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” PR 14: 24, “The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly PS 149: 4-5, “For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. Let His faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.” Crown of Righteousness: PR 16: 31, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” Crown of Life: IS 51: 11, “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return; they will enter Zion with a happy shout. Unending joy will crown them, happiness and joy will overwhelm them; grief and suffering will disappear.” PHIL 3: 20-21 and 4: 1, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear Friends.” And, finally, the Crown of Glory: DN 2:37, “You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory…LK 2: 30-32 [spoken by Simeon on the occasion of Christ’s naming in the temple], “For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all nations; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” PS 140: 13, “Surely the righteous will praise Your name, and the upright will live in Your presence.” Let me end today with REV 4: 9-10, “ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him, Who sits on the throne and Who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him and worship Him. They lay their crowns before His throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power, for you created all things by Your will, they were created and have their being’”
PRAYER: O Most Heavenly Father, You have made Your presence and concern known to all who believe in You. This act of sacrificial care for each person led us to decide whether or not we will proclaim Your Son as Lord and believe in You. When we knock, seek, and open the door marked “Faith,” we take a transformational interest in and begin to study Your teaching in the Bible. It is Your “love letter” to Your people. Through the Holy Spirit, we learn to be obediently faithful, despite our inborn sinful nature. It is through His teaching that we begin to earn the crowns mentioned above. Christ saves us [JN 3: 16], we are justified [RO 4: 3], and we are eternally forgiven for our sins [1 JN 1: 9]. Together we offer You praise and thanks forever. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: There may be some questions about righteous Jews. What will happen to them eternally? How many of them will be justified by God and be among what is called “the remnant?” And what is the difference between a diadem and a crown? The Holy Spirit has directed me to discuss these things next week. My parents were generally good people who didn’t know how to parent, i.e. raise children who develop a good self-image, were unselfish in their outlooks, had self-confidence, had a healthy relationship with God, and looked for the good in others. My father served his community as an Army physician in WW II, who later went into private practice and worked for the city health department. My mother strived to become a licensed practical nurse and later, worked in my father’s office doing insurance and billing. These were two good people, who didn’t have a particularly happy marriage but never divorced. As a small child, I was left to my beloved maternal grandmother and hired help. Later, I took over the household chores, then, considered “women’s work.” It was not a happy childhood for me, but I survived it and went on to college. I mention this, because of the sharp contrast between my life before Christ entered it and afterward. I urge each of you to consider your own before and after story and the blessings our Lord has given you. Praise to the Lord! To Him belongs the glory forever and ever!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2022. All Rights Reserved.
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