“They lay their crowns before the throne...” (Rev.4:10)
One of the things on my calendar recently was a dental checkup. I am a diligent rule-follower who faithfully maintains a twice a year appointment for cleaning, hoping that’s all I’ll need at least for the next six months. Unfortunately, that rarely seems to be the case. Despite my best efforts, besides the occasional root canal, some tooth always seems to need crowning. If my crowns were made of gold, by now I would have my own personal gold mine.
This started me thinking about other kinds of crowns. While dental crowns are a means of restoring broken, decayed, weak, or worn-down teeth and may only last for 5-15 years, there are historical royal crowns that have survived for centuries. For example, the crown of Princess Blanche (also called Palatine Crown or Bohemian Crown) is the oldest surviving royal crown known to have been in England, and probably dates from 1370-80, according to the Internet. Of course, the Internet also offers modern brides accessible and affordable crowns and tiaras available on Amazon for a wide range of prices. (No surprise! What’s not available?)
But the most intriguing subject is biblical crowns. These five crowns stand out in Scripture: The Crown of Life (Rev.2:10); The Incorruptible Crown (1Cor.9:24-25); The Crown of Righteousness (1Tim. 4:8); The Crown of Glory (1 Pet.5:4); and The Crown of Exultation or Rejoicing (1Thess.2:19). To think that the King of Glory chooses to raise us from our broken, decayed, condemned old nature to new Life in Him by adopting us into His family and granting us a new royal nature is beyond comprehension! Yet Scripture references many times the value God places on us in this life and the life to come. For instance, in Ps. 103:4 , ...”He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion.” I need this daily redemption. But Heb.2:6-7 stifles any pride we might have in our exalted position by recalling David’s question in Ps.8:4, “What is man that You are mindful of him...?” Then the writer continues, “But we see Jesus...now crowned with glory and honor...so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”
In light of God’s love, grace and mercy it will be our joy in Heaven to cast down at the feet of Jesus whatever real or symbolic crowns we have been given. Crown Him with many crowns, for He alone is worthy!