Beliefs about the Afterlife (LXX)

The above picture was chosen as the head of this chapter because it shows the resurrected and glorified saints as robed in white, wearing golden crowns, and playing harps. That is what we will focus our attention upon in this chapter. We have already spoken of the garments of these saints. We have also suggested that these robes were not what the saints will wear all the time throughout eternity because the saints will have various garments to wear for different occasions, just as we do now on earth. 

When the saints, in the ages to come, act as priests, or are engaged in worship in the general assembly, they will wear holy garments designed for them as priests. When they, on the other hand, are acting as kings, lords, or judges, they will also have special garments befitting those times. Many Christian songs celebrate the fact that believers will have glorious robes, harps, and crowns. Let us first talk about the crowns they will wear and of their work and position as kings reigning on the earth.

As we look at what saints will be doing in eternity we must consider how they will be employed as priests, kings, judges, and lords of the new heavens and earth, under Christ the king of kings and the great high priest. Following this study of what they will be doing in these roles we will look further at the joys and pleasures they will have privilege to occupy themselves. Just as in their lives on earth, prior to their resurrection to immortality, and life in the city of God, they will have time devoted to work and time devoted to pleasure. Some of their time will be obligatory as in times for gathering to worship, or to be educated, or to perform their duties as kings and priests, etc., and some of their time will be spent as they freely choose.

Some Christians balk at the idea that the saints will be working in the Millennium or in the endless ages of eternity. After all, they say, isn't heaven supposed to be nothing but rest and pleasure? However, though joy and pleasure will be what characterizes life in eternity, this does not exclude work. Consider the fact that Adam and Eve, prior to their sin and fall, were given work to do in the garden paradise of Eden. Consider also the fact that even now serving the Lord is pleasurable, and even more so in the glorious ages to come. People do enjoy their work and is not always associated with what is unpleasurable. Consider also the fact that the saints will not become hedonists in the ages of eternity, living only for pleasure. Neither will they become lazy or slothful. Rather, they will be employed and will delight in doing their Lord's work. It will be true in eternity as much as it is true now, that the one "who lives in pleasure is dead while she (or he) lives." (I Tim. 5: 6)

Let us begin by a focus on the fact that saints will reign as regents on earth over the ongoing nations and in doing this we will call attention to their crowns, thrones, and work as a royal priesthood.

Crowns of Glory

Many books have been written by Christian teachers on the promise of crowns for believers. One may pick up any good topical bible and find all the bible passages that speak of crowns given to the saints. Let us do so and see what is involved in these crowns. 

There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. They are the imperishable crown, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of glory, and the crown of life. The Greek word translated “crown” is stephanos.

1) The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (NKJV). 

2) The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19) “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?” 

3) The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:8) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 

4) The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:4) “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

5) The Crown of Life – (Revelation 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 until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” James tells us that this crown of life is for all those who love God (James 1:12). 

Some of the crowns of the saints will be possessed by all the resurrected saints. Some crowns, however, will be given to the most faithful saints as rewards above what is common to all believers. In all the passages above the Greek word for "crown" is stephanos rather than diadema. 

Wrote Trench in his Synonyms of the New Testament concerning "stephanos" versus a "diadema" crown, saying:

"We must not confuse these two words, which are both translated "crown." In classical literature Stephanos does not denote the kingly or imperial crown. Instead, it refers to the crown that symbolized victory in the games, civicworth, military valor, nuptial joy, and festal gladness. A Stephanos was woven of oak, ivy, parsley, myrtle, olive, or gold leaves, which imitated these plants, and of flowers such as violets or roses. A stephanos was a "wreath" or "garland" but never the emblem or sign of royalty...A diadema was a "token of kingdom," a white linen band or fillet that encircled the brow. The phrase peritithenai diadema ("to put on a crown") commonly indicated the assumption of royal dignity...In the New Testament, Paul always used Stephanos to refer to the conqueror's, not the king's, crown."

It is interesting that all the crowns received by believers, as enumerated above, are stephanos crowns and not diadema crowns. The only times the diadem crown is used is in the book of Revelation and used of the diadems of the beast (or Antichrist) and of the many diadems of Christ. (Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 19:12) In each of these cases we see where a king may have more than one crown. Christ is said to have on his head many diadems. 

Said one good source (See here emphasis mine):

"A diadem is a headpiece symbolizing royalty or authority and is usually worn by a king or queen. A synonym for diadem is crown, and that is the word found in most modern Bible translations. The word diadem is first used in the Bible in Exodus 29:6 as part of God’s instructions for Aaron’s clothing. Moses’ brother Aaron was chosen by God as the first high priest (Exodus 28:1). God commanded specific garments for the priests to wear while serving in His temple. Among those garments for the high priest was a turban topped with a “holy diadem” or crown (Leviticus 8:9). This diadem symbolized Aaron’s unique position as spokesman for the Most High. Israel was to obey the words of Aaron and Moses as though obeying God Himself."

So, though diadem crowns are not specifically said to be promised to the saints, in the new testament, yet they are to be inferred. So, not only will saints wear the victor's crown, but also royal crown too. Let us now offer proof of this, beginning with these words of the apostle Peter:

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people." (I Peter 2: 9) The fact that believers are a royal priesthood entitles them to wear the diadem as well as a stephanos. 

Though the scriptures do not directly say that saints in glory wear diadem crowns, yet we can assume that they do because 1) they are royal priests, and like Aaron, wear the diadem as well as the stephanos, and 2) they are said to sit on thrones (as we will shortly see) and rule the nations. Notice this text from the old testament:

"You shall also be a crown of glory (or beauty) In the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem In the hand of your God." (Isa. 62: 3 nkjv)

These words indicate that the saints will rule through Christ, that they are kings, or have diadems, as a result of their connection with Christ the King of kings. Actually, any verse that says that saints in glory will reign as monarchs on earth indicate that they will wear diadem crowns. Notice these verses:

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Rev. 5: 9-10 kjv)

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (Rev. 1: 6)

We have cited these texts several times in this book. We have affirmed, together with others, how to reign on the earth is to reign over the earth, or to reign over "the nations." We have affirmed that if there were no people on earth besides the kingly saints, then over whom do the saints rule and reign? Recall these words from the Apocalypse in regard to the reign of the saints over the earth:

"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it." (Rev. 21: 24)

These nations are distinct from the resurrected and glorified saints. They represent those who are left of the nations following the day of destruction occurring in conjunction with the return of Christ, being the sheep nations who did not align with the Antichrist and who showed kindness to the brethren of the Lord, and who became believers in Christ when they see his return and his victory over the beast.

We also affirm that the priestly function of believers is not entirely future, for they in some ways act as priests now, in this age and in their lives on earth, but the greater priestly actions await the millennial reign of Christ and the ages following. However, as respects the kingly function or rule on earth over the nations, that is not a realization now, but is entirely future. All the leading texts on this reign of believers are stated as being future. In the texts cited above, the affirmation is "we shall reign on the earth" and not "we are (present tense) reigning on earth." Similarly we read such texts as these:

"If we endure, We shall also reign with Him." (II Tim. 2: 12)

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron..." (Rev. 2: 26-27 kjv)

These texts affirm that the reign of saints, or their royal position and functioning, is a thing to be realized in the future. We also see it affirmed in this text:

"And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." (Rev. 20: 4 nkjv) 

Notice how the saints have thrones and crowns in their positions as kings, and that this position involves them in ruling and judging people, and that it is yet to be realized, becoming true after the coming again of Christ and the start of the millennial kingdom. In the prophecies of Daniel we also read of the coming regal state of the resurrected saints. Wrote Daniel:

"But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever...And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." (Dan. 7: 18, 27)

This has not yet occurred but is what will occur when Christ comes again. It is when the consummation of the Apocalypse is completed. Hear what the apostle John says:

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." (Rev. 11: 15 kjv)

By the saints coming to "possess the kingdom forever" we may understand "kingdom" to denote "sovereignty." It is sovereignty over all kingdoms and nations, not limited at all. Further, it is not for merely the thousand year reign, but is "forever," that is, throughout all ages. It occurs after the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, which trumpet is the last trumpet, which last trumpet is what brings about the resurrection of the righteous dead. (I Cor. 15: 52) Further, the kingdoms and the sovereignty of this world does not only become the possession of Christ, but also of his people, for they are rulers with him and under him.

The Work of Saints in the Ages To Come

Wrote one source (See here emphasis mine):

"As priests, resurrected saints will worship, intercede, and communicate the knowledge of God to others. The government of the millennial earth will flow from intercession. 

As kings, resurrected saints will judge, or evaluate, the past as part of ruling with Jesus. Ruling includes evaluating, determining future action plans, appointing people to positions in the societal infrastructure, and training and managing people and the national resources under their authority. 

"Do you not know that the saints will judge [evaluate] the world? Do you not know that we shall judge [evaluate] angels? (1 Cor. 6:2-3)" 

So far we have seen two texts of scripture which affirms that saints, as kings, will be involved in judgment of the nations. The above is one (I Cor. 6: 2-3) and the other is Rev. 20: 4 and the words "and judgment was committed unto them." Kings are in the business of making decisions, or giving judgments. So we read: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth." (Psa. 2: 10) Of course, as priests of God, they will also be involved in judgment. 

In regard to what Paul is alluding to by his saying that saints in the ages to come will "judge angels" I will not go into detail. However, I will simply say that I believe what the apostle means is what he says elsewhere in Hebrews. There he says: "For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels." (Heb. 2: 5 nkjv) The present world (age) does find angels in charge of many things, especially since the fall of man. However, in the millennial age and in the ages that follow it is the man Christ Jesus and his resurrected bride who will have the rule over the world and who will supervise the work of angels as respects the world of human beings. 

The same source writes the following under this subtitle - "THE RESURRECTED SAINTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KINGS OF THE EARTH": 

A. Jesus will establish social and political infrastructures in partnership with resurrected saints who will train and oversee those with non-resurrected bodies (the unsaved survivors of the Tribulation). 

B. The resurrected saints will oversee the work in the nations. I assume this will include the work of training nations, restoring cities and the land, establishing justice and businesses, and judging sin. 

C. Training the nations: Both the resurrected saints and those with non-resurrected bodies will continue to learn. As wisdom is gained and applied, many areas of life will progressively improve. I assume that there may be training institutions that will systematically teach Jesus’ ways (political, economic, educational, agricultural, family, media, arts, technology, etc.). Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the House of the God of Jacob; He [Jesus] will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” Out of Zion shall go forth the law…the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isa. 2:3) 

D. Restoring cities: Many cities in the earth destroyed in the Tribulation will need to be restored. This will require labor (Isa. 62:8-9; 65:21-23; Jer. 31:5; Ezek. 48:18-19). Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. (Ezek. 36:36) They shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. (Isa. 61:4) 

The chief work of priests is to represent the nations to God and to represent God to the nations, being mediators and intercessors. In acting on behalf of God they will teach the nations the laws of the Lord. So writes the prophet Malachi:

"For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts." (Mal. 2: 7 kjv)

They are also involved in offering up sacrifices and presenting gifts to God on behalf of the nations. Notice these words of the apostle Peter:

"You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (I Peter 2: 5)

Priests are overseers of and leaders in the worship of the people to their God. They are also judges of spiritual things. 

Some might wonder why saints in the ages to come will act as judges since there will be no sin. In reply we say that there is sin committed by some in the millennial age of the kingdom. Also, even if there is no longer any sin among the nations of world, there will still be honest disagreements among good people. These will need to be judged by the saints. Further, if there are sports and games still ongoing among the peoples of the world, then there will be need for referees, umpires, etc. Though I don't believe resurrected saints will be such (for they have higher things to oversee), they no doubt will oversee those lower judges of games. 

The saints, as kings and priests, as judges and lords, will govern the growth of the nations, or their cities. This will be no mean responsibility and will require the making of many judgments. Recall these words of the Lord Jesus Christ:

“And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. “Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ “And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ “Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities." (Luke 19: 15-19 nkjv)

This text is a prophecy of what will occur when Christ returns and cannot be made to be what describes the present state of things with believers. That being so, the authority over the nations will involve individual saints having rule over cities, some more and some less. Governing cities involves making many decisions as any mayor or city council knows. They have to oversee the growth of the city and to be in charge of the transportation system, the education system, etc. 

In closing this chapter let us make one further observation on what is involved in being kings. Said king Solomon, the wisest of kings: 

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." (Prov. 25: 2)

On this passage Gill wrote the following in his commentary:

"but the honour of kings is to search out a matter; to investigate everything relating to civil government, and that may be of use to them in the exercise of it; particularly to search into the word of God, and observe the laws in it, and rule according to them; or make such laws as are agreeably to it, and execute them: and to inquire diligently into all causes that are brought before them, that they may find out the truth of things, and pass judgment accordingly; and be able to give reasons for what they do in the public affairs of government, and make it appear that they are according to the rules of truth and justice; and to do so will gain them immortal honour! see Job 29:16."

In the next chapter we will begin to look at the significance of saints having harps of gold, and of how music and song will be one of the many pleasures of the ages to come.