139. 1PE 5:4. THE SAINTS’ CORONATION
1Pe_5:4. The Saints’ Coronation
"And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye nail receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."’971Pe_5:4.
There are three things in the text: I. An interesting Description of Christ.’97"The chief Shepherd." II. A Reference to his Second Advent.’97"When the chief Shepherd shall appear." And, III. The Reward He will then confer upon his People.’97"A crown of glory that fadeth not away." There is,
I. An interesting Description of Christ.
"The chief Shepherd." Christ is frequently described as a Shepherd. David refers to him as such, Psa_23:1; Psa_80:1; so Isaiah, Psa_40:11; so Ezekiel, Psa_34:11; Zec_13:7. Christ described himself as such, Joh_10:11, &c. As a Shepherd,
1. He has his flock.
Hence, he speaks of his sheep, &c., Joh_10:27. His flock consists of all those who truly believe in him, who love him, and who follow him. They are a purchased flock, bought with his precious blood; they are a separated flock, distinct from the world; they are a holy flock, "a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
2. He has his fold.
And that is his church; into which there is one entrance, by faith in himself, who is the only door. Around it is the wall of the divine presence; and within it the bounty of God to satisfy all his people. As a Shepherd,
3. He has his pastures.
"Green pastures" by the side of "still waters." These are his word and ordinances, which never fade, but are always verdant, and fresh, and fruitful. But Christ is,
4. The chief Shepherd.
He has many who are under-shepherds; and whom he hath called, and qualified, and sent to feed his flock: but Christ is the chief Shepherd; his word only is imperative; he is the true and only Head of the church; he guides, overrules, preserves, and blesses his people. To him all others are amenable; and to him all their accounts must be given up. Observe,
II. A Reference to his Second Advent.
"When the chief Shepherd shall appear." He has once appeared, and having finished his work, has entered into the holiest of all; but he will come again; he shall visit our world once more, and then every eye shall see him.
1. His second advent is certain.
The prophecies are full of it; Isa_66:15-24; Jer_23:5; Psa_1:1-6; Eze_43:2; Zec_14:9. The gospels and epistles are full of it; see especially, Mat_25:31; Act_1:11; 2Th_2:7; 2Pe_3:10; Rev_1:1, &c.
2. His second advent will be glorious.
Not like his appearance in Bethlehem, not to suffer and die; not to be a sacrifice for sin; but as universal King’97as the Ruler of the nations’97as Judge of quick and dead’97he will come in all the glory of his Father, of his own glory, and of the holy angels; Dan_7:9.
3. His second advent will be momentous.
"A day of blackness, and desolation, and wo to the ungodly;" 2Th_1:8; Psa_11:6. It will also be of the greatest moment to saints’97the day of their complete redemption, of their consummated felicity. Hence notice,
III. The Reward he will then confer upon his People.
"A crown of glory," &c. The reward will be,
1. A crown.
The highest summit of human ambition; sign of greatness and dignity, of riches and abundance. Then shall believers all be kings to God and the Lamb. They shall have thrones, sceptres, and kingdoms, and shall reign with Christ, the King of kings, forever and ever.
2. A crown of glory.
Not of thorns, like that worn by the insulted Redeemer; not of flowers, like those given to the successful racers and wrestlers in the Olympic games; not of gold, which is so heavy as to fatigue, and is still more heavy and unbearable by a thousand cares; but of "glory;"’97reflecting the divine glory’97suited to the dignified spirit of the saint’97worthy of Christ’s bestowal; like that which the first-born of the divine family wears; "Joint-heirs with Christ."
3. That fadeth not away.
Health, beauty, friends, life, &c., all fail and fade. Earth is passing away; all nature shall be changed and renovated: but this crown shall shine with increasing splendor; like its Author, it shall possess unchanging lustre, and be the symbol of that perpetuated fulness of bliss, which the righteous shall enjoy forever.
Application
Who shall receive this crown? All faithful ministers described in this chapter, ver. 1-3; all the children of God: "If children, then heirs," &c. "If we suffer with him," &c. These possess a title to it; God is making them increasingly meet for it. They believe, and hope, and pray, and we diligent, that they may possess it. "And when the chief Shepherd," &c., &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS