“This road turns the ‘5S Cleanup’ into a revival engine—let us travel it together.” (Chapter I) --Dr. Justin R. Woods

Too much confusion has taken the eyes of Christians off the Scripture to explain this phrase from Jesus: "this age... and the age to come" (Matt 12:32). The reason why this confusion happened is because replacement theology (the doctrine that the church has replaced Israel) has set the goal posts of this phrase to any ridiculous event in history rather than the history God gave to the Jewish people about the coming of the Son of Man (Matt 24:37). The first thing we need to recognize is what age we are in, according to Scripture. God has outlined it in great detail, and it always holds Israel's national capital at the centerpiece of this timeline: Jerusalem. Daniel 2 has the full details, and its folllowed up by Daniel's visions of the beasts in chapter 7. The beginning of the age is the head of gold with Nebuchadnezzar, whom God appointed as the first King of kings (Dan 2:37). The end of that age then must be the feet of that statue, the 10 kingdoms of the last days of that age. Remember, this statue is destined to be destroyed, and the dust of its destruction is said to be taken to the winds (Daniel 2:35). The stone that God throws at it from heaven represents the break from this age, and the start of the age to come, Dan 2:35: Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth. The age to come will be immediate, destroy all remnant and memory of the Gentile kingdoms that came before it, and will fill the earth with the glory of the Yehovah so there will be no need to teach anyone about God and His covenant nation, Israel, see Heb 8:11; Zech 14. So the age we live in today is still the times of the Gentiles. That age will be fulfilled before the coming of the Son of Man (Luke 21:24). To uncover our mission before the end of the age, see our upcoming book, Crowns of Valor--Bold Leaders, Arise!, because you will want to be prepared before you appear before the Bema Seat of Christ in heaven.

Ever wonder why people of faith have to suffer in this life? Paul declared this, by the way: "Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." But why does this have to be the case? Two reasons: 1. People sense that Treasure in heaven is the opposite of earthly treasure, and 2. The Crown of Life is our Bema Seat reward. Let's take the first point: People sense that treasure in heaven is the opposite of earthly treasure. When you step into a situation in this life, most people want to be compensated, which means money. If you share the seed of God's word in this life and stand against all forms of sin and ungodliness that the money pays no attention to, the people involved know what you're doing: you are taking seriously your commitment for treasure in heaven to give them God's spiritual standard. So how can they react to this but to set you up to take your earthly treasure? They'll never explain it that way, because they don't know the Holy Spirit is working conviction through their experience! John's gospel promised that "“And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment” (John 16:8). So they're reaction to withhold earthly treasure when you are seeking heavenly treasure is nothing more than their living reaction to the Spirit's conviction that you are, in fact, earning God's approval!!! This accomplishes two things: firstly, confirmation that the seeds are sown and God's word will not return void at some future time. Secondly, confirmation that your calling and election are made sure by the eternal treasure that you are working for in your salvation. Peter instructs this work is directly connected to your entrance of the Kingdom of God at the Bema Seat of Christ: "So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Paul uses a great descriptive phrase for the agenda that the entire doctrine of the 5 Crowns of Reward places in the life of every believer as "the upward call of God" in our lives (Phil 3:14). Notice the flow of the "5S Cleanup" in Paul's life (scholars call this a "discourse" flow of information ): 1. he's not there yet (study), 2. he presses on in this life (suffer), 3. sets his mind toward "the standard" of service (serve), 4. his "pattern" to win souls is to be emulated (share) and finally, 4. mentors others to "join in following my example" (shepherd). Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal that also to you. 16 However, let us keep walking in step with the same standard to which we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in following my example, and look for those who walk according to the pattern you have in us (Philippians 3:13–17). What an excellent summary of the process driving the 5 Crowns of Reward! That process begins with the Scripture (Crown #1), moves toward serving the Church (Crown #2), embraces suffering in this life (Crown #3), wins souls (Crown #4), and shepherds others in these crowns (Crown #5). See our earlier posts on the set of these crowns and the process driving them.

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