9. How many souls we witness to and win for Christ.
Proverbs 11:30 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
1 Thes 2:19-20 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
Daniel 12:3 – And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
The ultimate goal of reading the Bible is to gain the wisdom of God. The above Scripture tells you he who is wise (has wisdom) can do no better for God than to win souls for the kingdom; to witness for Christ. This may be number nine on our works list but it’s number one in God’s heart. Everyone in heaven will get some kind of crown (i.e. privileges) but those who win souls will also receive the crown of rejoicing.
10. How we react to temptation.
Rev 2:10 – Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.
You know, I don’t think the universal crown for all believers is named in the Bible. Maybe there isn’t one. If there is we’ll discover the name of that crown when we get to heaven. I think the crown of life mentioned above will be limited to those brave Christians who, during the tribulation, will be beheaded for refusing to take the mark of the beast. I believe Christians will be sent to jail for ten days to give them an opportunity to change their mind and reject their faith in God before their sentence is carried out. This crown will be God’s Medal of Honor for bravery. Millions of saints will face this death bravely because the Holy Spirit will increase their faith.