26 THE CROWN

THE CROWN

"In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people!" Isaiah 28:5 Everything "in the better land" is in harmony:

If we have an inheritance—it contains a city;
if we dwell in a city—we shall live in a mansion;
if we live in a mansion—we will wear white robes;
and if we wear white robes—we will have a crown. Not a quickly fading crown of myrtle, or laurel—like those awarded in the Grecian games; but a royal diadem, a gemmed crown! Their crown is called a crown ofrighteousness; because the righteousness of Jesus purchased it, and being graciously promised to the overcomer, God in righteousness confers it.

It is called a crown oflife. It will be the crown of an endless existence; that which sheds luster and glory upon it. It is promised to all who patiently endure, and perseveringly overcome the temptations of the present state.

It is called also a crown ofglory. "When the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive an unfading crown of glory!"

Men on earth strive for corruptible crowns—but we shall have an incorruptiblecrown!

Never were such crowns seen, as those which Jesus will place on the heads of his people! And they, as if they felt unworthy to wear them, will, in the ardor of their devotion, cast them at his precious feet! As if crowns of glory were alone fit to form a pavement for the feet of the Lamb to walk on!

What will it be to wear a crown of righteousness, a crown of life, a crown of glory, an incorruptible crown! To know it—we must enjoy it! And blessed be God, through free and sovereign grace, we hope to finish the good fight, to endure temptations and to fill up the character assigned us—and then receive from the hands—the once nail-pierced hands of Jesus—our crown—and wear it to his praise forever! The circlets of righteousness, life, and glory, will forever adorn those brows, which were not ashamed to confess Christ, and help forward his cause on earth.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test—he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him!" James 1:12