2 Timothy 4:8 From now on there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day… Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. This is the keynote. Many successful Roman generals and some of the philosophers of the old world committed suicide in weariness and disgust of life. To live was ennui, and worse; for all was "vanity and vexation of spirit." I. THE FUTURE IS PROVIDED FOR. "Henceforth for, [or, 'as to the rest'] there is laid up for me." Christ will not let any one of his faithful servants go uncrowned; all receive the prize - only their crown will be the perfecting of character, as the flower blossoms in its summer beauty. Heaven is the everlasting summer of the saints; and there "the crown of righteousness," which never was fully attained upon earth, will be given to all those who endure unto the end. Sometimes it is called "the crown of glory," sometimes "the crown of righteousness," and sometimes "the crown of life;" for the crowns of God are not the tinsel of earth's corruptible gold, but crowns of conscience, mind, and character - in one word, crowns of life. II. THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE WILL BE THERE. He before whom all hearts are open, he whose judgment is according to knowledge, and who understands all the unknown and unnoticed conflicts of every earnest soul. He is the righteous Judge. Human judgment at its best cannot be perfectly righteous - it may approach to it, but "What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" None, indeed, but himself and God. III. THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH WILL SHARE IN THE CORONATION. "And not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Some men dread that appearing. They never have liked thoughts of God, and how shall they like the presence of God? Those who have lived in pleasure, and said to God, Depart from us!" may well tremble at his appearing. But the true Christian, who has walked by faith, loves Christ's appearing. 1. We long to see equity or righteous judgment triumphant in the universe. So much judgment seems to miscarry now. 2. We long to see the Saviour, whom not having seen, we love; for at his appearing "we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." St. Paul was no rhapsodist, but he desired to depart and be with Christ, which was far better. - W.M.S. Parallel Verses KJV: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. |
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