The man walked slowly back to his seat in the colossal amphitheater. Scores of people in white robes were seated all around him and occasionally one would one would walk by, graciously skirting around him as they passed. The man held his head up high. Atop it sat a beautiful crown, gold and silver, adorned with precious jewels. The frame of the crown encased a cap of purple velvet. It was exactly the kind of crown he would have wanted, had he have sought one, and he felt most honored to wear it. Wearing it made him feel stately and noble.

      He had known that this day would come, but the reality of the actual moment simply overwhelmed him.

      The people who graciously skirted around him as they found their way back to their own seat understood exactly how he felt. Each one of them had just received their own crown and was equally overwhelmed. All around them the Light of the Presence of God Almighty filled the whole place.

      The man found his row and squeezed past the standing worshippers until he stood before his seat. His friend greeted him enthusiastically. "Hey! Where have you been? I was beginning to think that maybe you had forgotten where we were seated." He said, smiling and rubbing his friend's shoulder happily.

      "No," the man smiled, "I just didn't feel like walking fast."

      "Didn't want to leave?"

      "Well, that also, but mainly I just felt that it was…" the man paused, searching for the right word, "I guess that I just felt that it was, kind of inappropriate for me to move swiftly dressed like this." He gestured with his hands in a sweeping motion toward his crown and white robe.

      His friend smiled warmly. "I understand. Wearing this makes me feel just like a…a…"

      "A king" said the man, finishing his friend's sentence.

      The friend nodded. "Exactly." He looked up at the man's crown. "Boy, that sure is a beautiful crown."

      The man rolled his up to look at the crown. "I know. Thanks. I can hardly believe it. I guess all those years in the kids ministry really paid off."

      "I'll say."

      "I like your crown, too. It looks so different."

      "I know. I've always liked the look of these." The friend's crown was solid gold with broad, flat spikes that rose up from the rim and flared outward from the center. Diamonds studded the lower rim and precious gems were fixed to the point of each spike.

      "It's beautiful. And I think it suits you."

      The friend nodded thoughtfully. "I don't really deserve it."

      The man nodded also. "I know. I don't deserve this either."

      They stood silently for a moment, then directed their attention to the center of the amphitheater. The colossal Throne of God Almighty was at the very center and the Glory of He who sat upon it shone brighter than the sun. His glory was so bright that no one could look at his face directly. Only the outlines of His feet and hands could be seen resting at the base and armrests of the white throne. Around the Throne, and high above it, circled multitudes of holy angels, singing praises and giving glory to God.

      To the left of God, at the right side of the base of the Throne sat the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Lamb that was slain and now lives forever. Kneeling before Jesus was a robed figure. Her face was buried in her hands and she seemed to be crying as Jesus spoke lovingly to her. He reached out his hand to her and, taking one of her hands in His, helped her to stand. As He continued to speak lovingly to her, He wiped the tears from her eyes. He smiled as he talked and He spread His hands beside Him. She began to nod. He put his right hand on her shoulder and she nodded again. Then she took His hand from her shoulder and kissed it. Jesus withdrew His hand and reached around behind Him. As the hand reappeared holding a beautiful fur-lined crown, the woman knelt again. Jesus placed the crown on her head and she stood up and bowed. She held her hands out in thanks to Him, then turned and headed back to her seat.

      "Wow, look," said the man, pointing to the line that stretched off to the left of the Throne of Christ, "there aren't too many left."

      The friend nodded and looked at the line, then glanced around at the people that filled the amphitheater. "How many do you think have come through already?"

      The man looked around him. "I don't think there's any way we can number them." He looked back down at the line of people and watched as another figure left the line and walked alone to bow down before Jesus. His eyes traced along the line of people waiting, then flashed in recognition. "I don't believe it."