Casting Our Crowns Before the Throne of God
April 5th, 2017
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! (Revelation 5:12)
Much of the New Testament’s last letter, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, describes what will take place in heaven and on earth immediately preceding the Return of Christ (chapters 4-19). In this letter “to the seven churches that are in Asia,” the Apostle John describes an event that will take place sometime after the Judgment Seat of Christ. The scene involves twenty-four elders, sitting upon twenty-four thrones, all of which encircle the throne of God.
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads …. (Revelation 4:4)
Based upon this description, it is the belief of many Bible students that these twenty-four elders represent redeemed saints. They are described as being “clothed in white garments” (they have been made spotless and pure by the blood of Christ). They are sitting upon thrones encircling the Throne of God (they are reigning with Christ). And they are adorned with “golden crowns upon their heads” (they have been rewarded for being faithful stewards).
It is my belief that these are literal crowns. If that is true, then a certain worship service is scheduled to take place in heaven’s Throne Room. We are told that, during this particular ceremony, the redeemed ones will remove their crowns and cast them before the throne of God.
The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne. (Revelation 4:10)
But why will they do this? Why will the saints – having been rewarded for their faithfulness – cast their crowns at the feet of Christ?
In this one act, the saints are officially confessing two truths regarding the fruitful labor for which they have been rewarded:
Jesus Christ deserves all the credit.
Jesus Christ deserves all the glory.
Jesus Christ Deserves ALL the Credit for Our Crowns
For the saints to cast their crowns before the throne of God is to publicly acknowledge Christ’s right (and His alone) to wear those crowns. At this time they will “give credit where credit is due.” During their lives, these believers had faithfully represented Christ to the world in both character and service. But the ability to do so had not been generated by their own will and power but, instead, by the will and power of God.
I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed. (Romans 15:18)
Most surely, we do not deserve the credit for these crowns. We will cast them before the throne of God because that honor rightfully belongs to Him: to the One Who called us into His service … Who equipped us with everything we needed to fulfill that calling … Who accomplished through us what He gave us to do … and Who rewarded us with eternal life … and with words of praise … and with positions of authority within His eternal Kingdom … and with the capacity to shine forth the blazing glory of God!
When the saints cast their crowns before the throne of Christ, their declaration is this:
“You, and You alone, deserve to wear these crowns!”
Jesus Christ Deserves ALL the Glory for Our Crowns
Furthermore, for the saints to cast their crowns before the throne of God is an act of worship. Because the work was not really theirs but His, Christ Jesus has the right to receive all glory and honor and power.
And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power.” (Revelation 4:9-11)
With this one act, the saints are declaring the worth of the generous One Who is so willing to share His life, His praise, His authority and His glory with those who had submitted themselves to His rule over their lives.
Dear friends, this is the kind of God we serve.
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Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1st Timothy 1:17)
