And first Thessalonians 2:19, Paul introduces this crown in these words: “for what is our hope, our joy, our crown of glory? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?: That is from the American standard version here is the same verse from the king James. “For what is our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in that presence of our Lord Jesus ChristAt his coming? “

Just a casual reading of this passage might leave the impression that the crown of rejoicing isn’t any particular crown that has anything to do with the future, as to rewards. In this passage Paul seems to be thinking of the Saints of God, people who have been saved by God‘s grace through his ministry. He belongs to see them and be with them in bodily presence as well as as in heart. He tells them that he has “endeavor the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire: because we would fain have come onto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us. “First Thessalonians 2:17 to18. Then following his question: “for what is our hope, our joy, our crowd of rejoicing? Or not even ye in the president of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? “

Souls won to Christ constituted Paul’s glory and joy. And it is indeed true that a soul – winner when face-to-face with souls whom God has led to Christ through his ministry, finds that such as even now a source of great rejoicing. The spirit of joy resulting from winning a soul to Christ is very rewarding even in this life. But, as true as that is, we are face-to-face with the fact that “the crown of rejoicing “referred to my Paul in this connection is going to be enjoyed “in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming. “

Therefore, the chronic rejoicing can be accurately spoken of as the soul – winners crown a crowd of recognition that is given by the Lord at his coming to those who have one soul to Christ. Perhaps our happiness and accepting this plane teaching is our misconception of the meaning of the term crown in our limited thinking we visually a crown only in the terms of a fixed topless band that is worn around the head; and as to it’s visible, material aspect, such as often the appearance. But to receive a crowd of rejoicing from the Lord is coming and recognition for having used of him as a soul winner simply involves an appropriate reward. Perhaps in this case the reward will only be the happy privilege of seeing and knowing all that have been one, just to see them all and to know who they are, and to know that you are God‘s instrument in saving their souls. Many will be there that you were unconscious of having one to the Lord; for just to live the surrender life, with a sincere desire to win souls, means that God uses us often as influential factors in saving souls when we know little or nothing about it.So, if it turns out that the soul winner’s crown, the crown rejoicing, there is nothing more than to see and know all of the it will be enough. I can think of nothing more inspiring. Yet we are not saying that it is only that it may be vastly more. But whatever it is, it’s something that the soul winner will rejoice it in the presence of our Lord Jesus is coming. Of that we could be sure. And the source may and cause of that rejoicing is connected definitely to the privilege of being with, seeing, and knowing those that were saved.

Now if God has a special crowd of recognition and reward for elders who serve well, and he does, and another for those who, out of hearts of love, endured persecution, temptation, ye even death, then why would anyone think it’s strange that God would have a special crowd for soul winners? And every congregation we have Christians with different degrees of faithfulness. Some get freely of their time and talents to seek for the loss. Many of those that I have baptized into Christ in my ministry have been first receive a son faithful soul winning member of my congregation all, how encouraging to know that God has a crowd of rejoicingWhen they shall be with the souls they have one in the presence of the Lord at his coming May God help us all to pray, in the words of this song, “leave me to some solo today, I will teach me Lord just want to say; friends of mine are lost in sin, and cannot find their way. See you there are you seem to care and few there are who pray; melt my heart, and fill my life, give me one soul today. “

Robert B Boyd