Page 75 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2011

BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN THEY REVILE AND PERSECUTE YOU…” Matt. 5:11

This diagram can be life-changing if allowed to penetrate into our inner-most heart. We do not have to
physically live in “the dark places of the earth” to be “blessed” by persecution as a Christian. You can
live in America, a nation under much religious light and freedoms and still be persecuted in the manner
Jesus and Paul describe. Remember, it is not WHERE you live that counts , but rather HOW you live.

BELIEVERS LIVING UNDER BELIEVERS LIVING UNDER
RELIGIOUS OPPRESSION: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM:

“ONE NATION UNDER GOD”

“DO NOT FEAR THE “IN GOD WE TRUST”
ANY OF THOSE THINGS WHICH CROWN OF LIFE “BLESSED
YOU ARE ABOUT TO SUFFER.
INDEED, THE DEVIL IS ABOUT TO IS THE MAN
WHO ENDURES
THROW SOME OF YOU TEMPTATION;
INTO PRISON,
FOR WHEN
THAT YOU MAY BE TESTED,
HE HAS BEEN PROVED,
AND YOU WILL HAVE
TRIBULATION TEN DAYS. HE WILL RECEIVE
BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH,
THE CROWN OF LIFE
AND I WILL GIVE YOU
WHICH THE LORD
THE CROWN OF LIFE.” HAS PROMISED
TO THOSE
Rev. 2:10
WHO LOVE HIM.”

Jas.1:12

Note carefully the contrast presented above. This same “Crown of Life” can be earned by the believer
for either DYING FOR CHRIST in the oppressive dark places of the earth or for LIVING FOR CHRIST
in a free place like America. Note that both believers are being tested by God, and both, if found
faithful, receive the same crown in eternity, the Crown of Life! Although it is not the specific subject of
this newsletter, I want to stress the point that all crowns mentioned in Scripture are pictures of eternal
rewards earned by believers for how they lived (or died) in Christ. For the point of illustration, here is a
brief synopsis of the five crowns listed in Scripture:

THE CROWN OF LIFE THE CROWN OF REJOICING THE IMPERISHABLE CROWN

Rev. 2:10 Jas. 1:12 1 Thess. 2:18-19 Phil. 4:1 1 Cor. 9:24-27
LIVING THE DISCIPLINED LIFE
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH WINNING OF SOULS
STANDING UP UNDER TEMPTATION AND MAKING OF DISCIPLES IN THE BODY

THE CROWN OF GLORY THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

1 Pet. 5:2-4 2 Tim. 4:7-8

SHEPHERDING THE FLOCK FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT,
OF GOD or SUPPORTING FINISHING THE RACE, KEEPING THE FAITH,

GOD’S SHEPHERDS LOVING GOD’S APPEARANCE ON EARTH

“…AND ON HIS HEAD WERE MANY CROWNS.” Rev. 19:11-12

As stated above, when Jesus returns He will have on His head “many crowns.” Where did He get
them? Which of the above crowns offered to believers could we say that Jesus did not obtain Himself
by means of suffering in His life on earth? Was He a martyr unto God? Did He stand up under
temptation? Did He not claim to be the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep? Was
Jesus a soul winner? Was He a maker of disciples? Did Jesus live a disciplined life in His earthly
body? Did our Master fight the good fight? Did He finish His race? Did He keep the faith? Did He love
to focus upon the coming of the kingdom of God to earth? Live as did our Master, and you too will
suffer persecution associated with laying hold of “many crowns”!

“…IF THEY PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL ALSO PERSECUTE YOU.” John 15:20