Secrets from Beyond The Grave

and pay their own expenses to assist the ministry. They always answer that they are doing this "for the Lord," not just for the ministry. They understand the spiritual principle that my grandmother Lucy Bava understood. After Granddad's passing, "Granny Bava" moved to Cleveland and would volunteer a few hours a day to my ministry doing odds and ends. I would say, "Granny, I need to pay you something for this work you are doing!" She would look up with a slight grin and point to a plate that had a small cross on a purple pillow with a small gold-plated crown above on it, which read "Give for the Crown." "I don't need money," she said. "I am working for that in heaven!" These volunteers have the "reward of inheritance" and will inherit all of the blessings of the future kingdom since their hearts and motives were pure in a desire to be a blessing to others. Many ask, "What will our rewards be if we are found faithful to Christ?" The Bible lists a series of crowns that will be awarded to individuals for particular aspects of ministry and obedient labor in their life. Five Crowns in the Bible There are two common Greek words for the word crown in the Bible. One word used in the New Testament is the word diadema , found in the Apocalypse (Rev. 12:3; 13:1; 19:12). This word is used of the crowns on the dragon's heads, the crowns on the ten kings in the Antichrist's kingdom, and the "many crowns" on the head of Christ when He returns to Earth to set up His kingdom. The English word is diadem and always refers to the crown of a king or imperial dignitary. The second word is the Greek word stephanos , which is the main word used to describe the crowns believers will receive if they are found faithful (1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10). The word comes from stepho , meaning "to encircle," and alludes to a victor's crown. In the Greco-Roman period, this crown was given to the victor of the games. It was woven as a garland of oak, ivy, myrtle, or even olive leaves, or, in some cases, an imitation of these in gold.2 Nowhere is a believer promised a diadem, as there is only one King of kings worthy to wear this crown of kingship, and that is Christ. Believers will, however, receive the stephanos , which is the reward to a person who won the games, ran the race, and crossed the finish line. There are five distinct and different types of crowns that believers are promised as a part of their heavenly retirement package ! The incorruptible crown Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. --1 Corinthians 9:24-25, KJV The idea of an incorruptible crown indicates a crown that will endure throughout eternity. This crown indicates a reward that a believer will receive that will always be a reminder through ages without end that the wearer was faithful in his or her earthly life to follow the Lord and be obedient to Him.