Christ Presents Me With a Crown and Harp

[Thompson, Darryl]

Christ Presents Me With a Crown and Harp
 
     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. 2 Tim. 4:8  

     Before entering the city of God the Saviour bestows upon His
followers the emblems of victory and invests them with the insignia of
their royal state. The glittering ranks are drawn up in the form of a
hollow square about their King, whose form rises in majesty high above
saint and angel, whose countenance beams upon them full of benignant
love. Throughout the unnumbered host of the redeemed every glance is
fixed upon Him, every eye beholds His glory whose "visage was so marred
more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men." Upon the
heads of the overcomers Jesus with His own right hand places the crown
of glory. For each there is a crown, bearing his own "new name," and the
inscription, "Holiness to the Lord." In every hand are placed the
victor's palm and the shining harp. Then, as the commanding angels
strike the note, every hand sweeps the harp strings with skillful touch,
awaking sweet music in rich, melodious strains. Rapture unutterable
thrills every heart, and each voice is raised in grateful praise: "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."  

     Oh, what joy unspeakable, to see Him whom we loved--to see Him in
His glory who so loved us that He gave Himself for us--to behold those
hands once pierced for our redemption stretched out to us in blessing
and welcome!  

     Those who . . . place themselves in God's hands . . . will see the
King in His beauty. They will behold His matchless charms, and touching
their golden harps, they will fill all heaven with rich music and with
songs to the Lamb. 

>From My Life Today - Page 347