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danger here is not for those Christians who have just been saved and who are madly in love with Jesus -- but for those who have "lost their first love"; in other words Christians who have been saved long enough to have been spiritually grown up, but who are still nursing on the "milk of the word." God doesn't expect newborn Christians to do more than just love Him, and so they will love His appearing; on the other hand, the Christian who is floundering in perpetual babyland will probably be unprepared -- caught off guard, even ashamed because of their lack of maturity, and thus will probably miss the "Firstfruits" Rapture -- for their works will not have been "found perfect before God." (Rev. 3 v. 3).

          This crown will be awarded to those believers who faithfully endure the testings, temptations, and crosses, which Christ allowed to come into their lives. (James 1 v. 12): "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." (Rev. 2 v.10): "Fear none of those things that thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life."

          Often the Lord allows certain troubles to come into our lives to test us and through adversity establishes His character in us. In (Mk 8 v. 34) Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Unfortunately, many Christians today run from the cross of Christ's testings and in so doing disqualify themselves from attaining to this crown. We should carefully consider that many collapsing marriages -- errant children, that despicable boss, etc. etc. may in fact be the very trial God has allowed to test us to see if we will stand against the tide; even though it may cost us everything.

          Psalm (105 v. 19) tells us that the Word of the Lord "tried" Joseph; -through betrayal, lies, imprisonment, and every possible form of contrary circumstance, Joseph held on to God's Word to Him. So too, must we, if we are going to attain to this crown.

          (1 Peter 5 vs. 1-4) "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lord's over God's heritage but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."

          This crown will be awarded to those in the body of Christ who faithfully serve the brethren in the capacity God ordains for them, but who specifically walk what they talk.  Rather than being rulers over God's people -- they, through humble servitude, seek to be an example to God's people; through exhortation, encouragement, and spiritual meekness, to guide God's flock -- not unto themselves, but to the Lordship of the Holy Spirit,