The Daily Word of Righteousness

Paradise or Eternal Life?, #17

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (I Peter 5:4)

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

As for the robe of white raiment, the "house" created by the righteous behavior proceeding from Christ's work and Presence in us:

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5)

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:18)

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Revelation 7:9)

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness [righteous deeds] of saints. (Revelation 19:8)

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)

We see from the above that there are crowns and robes to be gained. Of the inhabitants of Paradise, some will wear the crowns of Divine authority. Some will be robed in the white raiment of the priests of God. Whether we are crowned with authority and robed as a priest depends on our diligence in following Christ.

These evidences of authority and power are not issued automatically because we have made a profession of faith in Christ but are the result of the Divine program of redemption with which we have cooperated.

For those who overcome demonic pressures and temptations of the last days there are valuable attributes of character that are gained as through Christ we conquer the adversary.

Courage is one such attribute. Christ's courage is formed in us as we fight onward against every dread, every terror the enemy sets before us.

Faith in God is increased in us as we have to depend on the Lord in the midst of the evil and complexities in which we are attempting to serve the Lord.

Stern, uncompromising, continual obedience to God no matter what He requires of us is one of the most valuable qualities of personality we can gain in our present struggle. Even the Lord Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered on the earth.

To be continued.