Many Christians search for 7 crowns in the Bible verses. However, there is only a single Bible verse in the King James Bible with the phrase “seven crowns.” But the Bible, especially the New Testament, does have things to say about types of crowns that will be a part of the heavenly rewards that God will give to His people at His coming. God lets us know about these crowns because it is the will of God that His people earn one or more of these crowns.
God’s Judgment of His People
God will judge His people. This judgment, commonly called “the judgement seat of Christ,” will be a time of either great reward or great loss as God examines how believers lived their lives for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (KJV)
This judgment will not be about heaven or hell because, for the Christian, heaven is promised upon receiving Christ as Savior. But this judgment does concern our heavenly rewards.
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – The Victor’s Crown
The Apostle Paul knew the gravity of the judgement seat of Christ, and he was determined to “run the race” (Hebrews 12:1) that was set before him — to live his life so he would have rewards when he got to heaven. One of them was to be an incorruptible crown.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (KJV)
This verse is the first mention of heavenly crowns in the New Testament. Many Bible scholars call this particular crown “the victor’s crown.” This imperishable crown will be given to those who work to every day of their Christian life to serve God.
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – The Crown of Rejoicing
The next mention of heavenly crowns in the Word of God, alludes to a “crown” as being people!
1 Thessalonians 2:19
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (KJV).
This verse is similar to
Philippians 4:1
“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” (KJV)
The crown of rejoicing is also called by some “the soul-winner’s crown.” Some people have the ability to lead people through the prayer of salvation. They are good at “closing the sale,” so to speak. But all those Christians who try to witness, pray for people to get saved, invite others to church, and all of the work done behind the scenes before someone actually gets saved is all part of being a soul winner. And even if they didn’t personally lead someone through a salvation prayer, they also will be eligible to get this soul-winner’s crown.
Therefore, it is vitally important to witness to others, and pray for pastors and missionaries who are in the front lines of the spiritual war, who may be experiencing a hard time, so that in a time to come, we, too, may rejoice wearing this soul-winner’s crown.
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – The Crown of Righteousness
There is only one mention of this crown, and it seems to be similar to the victor’s crown.
2 Timothy 4:8
“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.” (KJV)
One day, we will meet Christ Jesus face to face, whether at death or in the rapture, and if we were trying to live a life that is pleasing to Him, then we are eligible to receive this crown. If we are living in sin, and He appears (either in the rapture or when we die), we will not love His appearing. We will not want to be caught doing what is wrong moments before we meet Him.
The apostle Paul encouraged Timothy for this crown when he wrote these words:
1 Timothy 6:12
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (KJV)
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – The Crown of Life
The crown of life is mentioned twice in the Bible, and is also called “the martyr’s crown.”
James 1:12
“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.” (KJV)
The exact nature of temptation that is endured, according to the Apostle James, is not specific. God may give this crown to those who die a natural death, yet in life have endured temptation to the point of death for His sake.
Revelation 2:10
“Fear none of those things which 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.” (KJV)
This verse promises a crown of life to those who refuse to deny Jesus Christ, even if they must be killed because of their belief.
The man with the name Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Here is the account of him and what he did in order to receive his own “crown of life.”
Acts 7:59-60
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (KJV)
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – The Crown of Glory
This crown is mentioned by the Apostle Peter in writing to other teachers or elders. He says that he is a fellow elder, and that he was a teacher of “the flock of God.”
1 Peter 5:1-4
“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 by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (KJV)
This unfading crown of glory is promised to those who teach God’s people, including pastors, evangelists, Sunday school teachers, and even Bible study leaders. It is appropriate that Peter wrote about this particular crown since it is he to whom Jesus, after His resurrection and before His ascension, told Peter twice in John 21:16-17 “Feed my sheep” (KJV). It is important to Christ that His people, His sheep, be given spiritual food. When animals do not get fed, they get weak, they cannot reproduce, and eventually, they die.
Jesus wants His people to be spiritually strong, especially for the work of leading others to Him, i.e., spiritual reproduction., which is important to God.
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – Crowns in the Book of Revelation
When people are searching for 7 crowns in the Bible verses, they will find references in the Book of Revelation. There, the Apostle John in his heavenly vision saw into God’s throne room and got a glimpse of God’s glory. Part of what he saw was twenty-four elders, each of whom were wearing royal crowns. But in their worship of Jesus Christ, they took their crowns and cast them at His feet.
Revelation 4:4
“And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.” (KJV)
Revelation 4:10-11
“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (KJV)
If we attain to any of these crowns listed, it will only be because of the grace of God, with His help; therefore, He gets all the glory, and He will get all the crowns! If you think that casting the crowns He has given us at His feet seems a bit odd, just think of how you will feel if you have nothing to give back to Him.
Crowns will only be a part of the rewards that God gives to His faithful children.
These Bible verses about heavenly crowns only hint at the great reward God wants to give His faithful followers to encourage them in their Christian service.
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – Locusts With Golden Crowns
During the time the Bible calls “the Great Tribulation,” God will unleash many fearful judgments. One of them will be demonic locusts – huge grasshoppers – with golden crowns. These crowns indicate both royalty and authority, but from Satan, not God.
Revelation 9:7
“And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.” (KJV)
God will use these vile creatures under the rule of their equally abominable leader to accomplish His divine purposes.
The 7 Crowns of the Great Red Dragon
Revelation 12:3 is the only scripture reference with the phrase “seven crowns.” And the creature wearing these seven crowns is a red dragon.
Revelation 12:3
“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” (KJV)
It is not clear from this verse if the dragon with seven heads and seven crowns on his heads has a total of seven crowns, one on each of his heads, or actually has seven crowns on each of his seven heads, which would give him a total of forty-nine crowns. Either way, the creature that the Apostle John saw and described had more than the five crowns that believers can earn.
The Book of Revelation is shrouded in symbolism. But a great fiery red dragon with seven heads and several crowns indicates a satanic entity, if not Satan himself. Since Satan wants to imitate Christ, it should not be surprising that he would want royal crowns — plural, not just a single one — for himself. He has always desired worship, and the crowns of the red dragon are symbolic of authority.
But the great authority that this dragon seems to have, despite the crowns that he wears, does not last long.
Revelation 12:7-9
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (KJV)
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – The Beast with Crowns
Revelation 13:1
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” (KJV)
Another evil entity is introduced in Revelation chapter 13. This time, it is a beast with ten horns and ten crowns, and on the heads of this beast is a blasphemous name. The sordid details are omitted, as God sees to it that we don’t need to know. Again, it is unclear if this beast with ten horns and ten crowns has a total of ten crowns or one hundred crowns.
7 Crowns in the Bible Verses – The One with Many Crowns
It seems from the Scripture verse above that believers can earn a total of five different crowns. The great red dragon is referenced in Revelation chapter 12. But throughout the Book of Revelation, like all of the Bible, and despite the great use of symbolism in this last book of the Bible, two different forces are portrayed, two vastly different supernatural powers, one good and the other evil.
Generally, the force of evil is shown first, like in Revelation chapters 12 and 13. But skipping the events in those, and the following several chapters until we come to Revelation chapter 19, which is the last mention in the Bible of the word “crowns,” is the victor himself, none other than Jesus Christ! The description of Him is a glorious one!
Revelation 19:11&12
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.” (KJV)
Unlike the forces of evil, that is, the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, on the head of Christ are “many crowns”; there is no specific number given. He, and He alone, is the victor.
Revelation 1:8
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (KJV)
It could be that the crowns on Jesus Christ, His symbols of authority, cannot be numbered. His crowns, unlike our crowns, or the crowns of the beast, are an infinite number of crowns. He, unlike anyone or anything else, has earned these many symbols of authority and power. The crowns that He wears, like Him, and like those who have served Him, will be never ending.
The 7 crowns in the Bible verses as relating to the dragon in the Book of Revelation, relates to mockery. Nevertheless, God has the final say, and He alone wears the many crowns that displays His ultimate authority.
For more information concerning the crowns that Christian believers can earn with faithful service to God, check out the Bible study article called The Heavenly Five Crowns in the Bible verses.
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