READING 262-36 PARAPHRASED
GC: You have before you the group gathered here and their work on the lesson The Cross and the Crown. Since the questions raised in the last reading have been answered, please continue the counsel now on “Why the Crown” — giving material that will be strengthening and helpful to each in daily life. You will answer the questions as I present them.
EC: Yes, I see the group here, both as a whole and as individuals, and the work each one has contributed to this present understanding.
In study and thought it becomes clear to all: it was necessary, for humanity’s understanding, that the Son of Man should come into the world, and that the Cross should become the emblem of Him who offered Himself. For this very cause He came — that through overcoming the world, He might gain the Crown.
So too, in their own lives and experiences, each person meets their cross — overcoming the conditions, temptations, and struggles of life — in order to become heirs with Him of the Crown of Glory.
But what is this Crown of Glory? Is it only a matter of the spiritual realm? Did His overcoming alone give Him authority? Did this victory make the Son of Man the Lord, the Glory, the Crown of Life?
He is the pattern for all, and in Him the way is made clear. Every soul, as it meets the cross, endures temptation, and overcomes, may become an heir — a joint-heir with Him — of the Crown of Glory. This crown is expressed in temporal power, mental power, and spiritual power, making us sons and daughters of God. All who answer their call and live in faith, bearing within themselves their cross, discover this not in sorrow or complaint but in the joy of the Lord.
The first sign for those who endure the cross is this: in whatever situation they find themselves, they are enabled to bear it in the joy of the Lord. For happiness and joy go hand in hand.
Thus, he that overcomes is joyful in the knowledge that strength to meet life, wisdom to use it, and power to overcome are given through understanding.
With this joy, such individuals gladly enter their service, becoming channels through which the Way of the Cross and the Crown of Glory may be made known to others. Their life is spent in harmony with His will, and His presence abides with them always. The door is open, faith is renewed daily, and they come to understand themselves in all relationships — whether mental, material, or spiritual. In all spheres of activity, the Father is present as a cooperative force.
So let each know: in enduring the cross with patience, the soul finds kinship with the Father through daily service.
As has been repeated often, it is not about times, seasons, or rituals, but every day and every hour showing forth His love. In doing so, others will know He walks with us, and that He is our friend.
With the cross comes the crown. To those faithful in small things, greater joy will be given in service. For His ways are revealed to those who seek; as He promised, those who seek shall find, those who knock shall have the door opened.
In this way you enter the joy of your Lord, enjoying the crown that brings joy, happiness, harmony, and peace — for He is the Prince of Peace.
Q&A
(Q) Upon what is His glory in the Crown based?
(A) On faithfulness.
(Q) Please explain: “He with the cross represents something in the experience of every soul in their earthly activities, having led through all forms of truth, and comes at last to the cross.”
(A) As has been given: In the beginning He was the Son, made so from among those who had gone astray. Through many experiences He overcame the world, bearing the cross in each trial, until at last He reached the final Cross — with all power and knowledge gained through victory over the world — and freely accepted it. By doing this He broke what is often called karma — the law of cause and effect that governs every soul in the material, mental, and spiritual realms. In conquering the world, He fulfilled and transcended the law, so that He Himself became the living Law.
The law serves as a schoolmaster, a training ground. But those who call on His name are no longer bound by law alone, but live under mercy in Him. Through Him, and with the right desire, all things may be brought into harmony.
Remember the “pattern in the mount”: in yourself — in the body, the mind, and the spirit. That is the true mount. As long as there is coordination among these three, all works together for good. When rebellion arises in the mount, harmony breaks down. Then disconnection, destruction, and disorder appear, leading to death in the physical body and confusion in the mental and spiritual.
Christ, in overcoming all, set the Throne — the mercy seat — within the temple of the self, as the pattern in the mount. It is here that the soul can say: “I will arise and go to my Father — in Him, through Him. I will! I will!”
(Q) What is meant by the definite stand we must now take?
(A) It means recognizing why the Cross — not merely mental philosophy or any other form of experience — must be accepted as the Ideal.
We are through for the present.
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(Q) UPON WHAT IS HIS GLORY IN THE CROWN BASED?
(A) ON FAITHFULNESS.
1. Faithfulness as the Foundation
Christ’s glory in the Crown is not built on power, miracles, or wisdom, but on faithfulness.
Faithfulness means steadfast loyalty, an unbroken commitment to God’s will, even when the way leads to suffering.
2. Christ’s Example
Jesus remained faithful through temptation, rejection, betrayal, and death.
His complete fidelity to the Father’s will — “not my will, but Thine be done” — is what secured His crown.
The glory of the resurrection flows directly from His unwavering obedience.
3. The Lesson for Every Soul
What was true for Him is true for us. Our own “crown” — peace, joy, eternal life — rests on our faithfulness.
Not success, not recognition, not perfection, but the simple act of staying true in trials is what matters.
4. Why Faithfulness is Central
Faithfulness is stronger than fleeting feelings.
It is the anchor that holds when life brings storms.
It turns the cross from defeat into triumph — because faithfulness proves love and brings endurance.
5. The Crown of Life
Scripture echoes this truth: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
The glory of the crown is promised not to the strongest, the smartest, or the most gifted — but to the faithful.
In summary:
Christ’s glory in the Crown is based on faithfulness — His perfect loyalty to the Father’s will. In the same way, each soul’s crown rests not on greatness but on being faithful in daily trials. Faithfulness is the key that transforms the cross into the crown.
STUDY OUTLINE - CROSS AND THE CROWN
(Faithfulness, Law, and the Mount)
1. The Crown and Faithfulness
Christ’s glory in the Crown rests on faithfulness.
The same principle applies to every soul.
2. Christ as the Pattern
In the beginning, He was the Son, among those who went astray.
Through many experiences He overcame the world, bearing the cross in each.
At the final Cross, with full power and knowledge, He freely accepted it.
By doing so, He broke the endless cycle of karma (cause and effect).
3. He Became the Law
The law of cause and effect still operates in the world.
But in Christ’s victory, He fulfilled and transcended the law — becoming the living Law.
Those who call on His Name are no longer under law alone, but under mercy in Him.
4. The Pattern in the Mount (within the Self)
The “mount” is within: body, mind, and spirit.
hen in harmony → all things work for good.
When in rebellion → disharmony, disintegration, death, and confusion follow.
Christ set the Throne (mercy seat) within this mount as the pattern of renewal.
The soul can then declare: “I will arise and go to my Father — in Him, through Him. I will! I will!”
5. The Definite Stand
We must now take a clear stand:
Not just philosophy or mental truth.
he Cross itself as the Ideal.
The Cross is both the necessary path and the true pattern of life.
This outline lets you see the flow of thought at a glance:
Faithfulness → Christ’s Overcoming → Law Transcended → Pattern in the Mount → Stand of the Cross.
A MEDITATION
(Based on Faithfulness, the Law overcome in Him, the Pattern in the Mount, and the Stand of the Cross.)
Meditation on the Cross and the Crown
“I am determined to know nothing among men save Jesus, the Christ, and Him crucified.”
Centering
Find a quiet place. Sit comfortably. Breathe deeply. With each breath, release tension from the body, rest the mind, and open the heart.
Invocation
“Lord, let Thy presence fill this temple — body, mind, and spirit. May I be stilled to hear Thy voice.”
Focus on the Cross
See before you the Cross — not as only His, but as the pattern of every soul.
Feel the weight of your own cross — struggles, duties, trials.
Whisper: “Not what is my cross, but how may I meet it with Thy aid?”
The Law and the Mercy Seat
Recall that all life moves by law — cause and effect, sowing and reaping.
Yet see Christ at the Cross, freely accepting it.
In His surrender, He becomes the Law fulfilled, the throne of mercy.
Let this truth rest in you: “In Him I am not bound by endless debt, but lifted into mercy and grace.”
The Pattern in the Mount
Now turn inward: see the mount within yourself.
See body, mind, and spirit aligned, working in harmony.
Feel the Divine Presence enthroned in this inner temple.
Whisper: “I will arise and go to my Father — in Him, through Him. I will! I will!”
The Crown of Glory
From the Cross arises the Crown.
See light forming above your head — not of pride, but of joy.
It shines with peace, harmony, and love.
Whisper: “In faithfulness is glory. In service is joy. In Thee, O Lord, is my crown.”
Closing Prayer
“Let me be faithful in small things.
Let me endure with joy.
Let me serve with gladness.
May Thy Cross be my strength,
and Thy Crown my everlasting joy. Amen.”
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