THE KING'S CROWN |
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By Reverend William Claire Greiner |
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A crown has been described as the royal badge of kings. It is a symbol of authority and power. Crowns have been found dating back to the 25th century B.C. Many of the crowns were made of gold and adorned with precious and stones, while some crowns were made of iron or brass or silver, and some were made so they could be folded. Among the crown jewels in the Tower of London is ST. EDWARD’S CROWN, the coronation crown first used for Charles II’s coronation in 1661. It is made of solid gold and weighs nearly 5 pounds. It is set with 444 semi-precious stones. Then there is the IMPERIAL STATE CROWN, originally made
for Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838, contains the Second Star of
Africa. It weighs nearly 3 lbs and is set with over 3,000 precious stones.
It is worn by the Queen for her speech at the Opening of Parliament. The Bible gives us an account of a crown that David captured. 1 Chronicles 20:1,2 — "And it came to
pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to
battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of
the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at
Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it. 2 And David took the
crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of
gold [75 pounds], and there were precious stones in it; and it was
set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the
city." The customary Hebrew words for crown is atarah. The Greek word in the New Testament is diadema. The word does not occur in the KJV but is used three times in Revelation 12:3; 13:1; and 19:12 as an emblem of absolute power. THE KING’S CROWN The year was 1741. George Frederick Handel at the age of 56, depressed over ill health and failure in his musical career, sat down to compose what has become one of the great masterpieces of all time — THE MESSIAH. He had essentially retired, when a friend gave him a libretto based on the life of Christ. It was, in fact, simply passage after passage after passage of Holy Scripture, which reached its crescendo in Revelation 5:11-14. "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." Upon reading the text, Handel shut himself in his London apartment for 24 days, working feverishly day and night. He often ignored the meals brought to him by his servants who could hear Handel weeping as he worked The vivid description of the Savior’s death and suffering almost broke his heart. One of the servants who would bring him his chocolate in the morning, would often stand in silent astonishment (until the chocolate was cold) to see his master’s tears mixing with the ink as he penned his composition. One day a friend called upon Handel when he was writing music for the words, "He was despised and rejected of men." The friend reported that he found Handel "absolutely sobbing." Finally, after 24 days and nights of constant labor, Handel, on the verge of exhaustion, made his Messiah a reality. What he produced over three and one-half week period has continued to touch the hearts of men and women across the years. Its performance in London so moved the King that he stood to his feet, along with the rest of the audience, at the majestic "Hallelujah Chorus." Handel had caught a glimpse of the crowned Lord, the exalted Christ as King of King and Lord of Lord’s. The word Messiah means "anointed." It is an English term transliterated from Hebrew. Translated into Greek, it is Christos from which we get our English word "christen" (i.e. to anoint) and the name-title Christ. In Latin, the equivalent term is Caesar. Kaiser is used in German, Czar in Russian, and Shah in certain Middle Eastern languages. As titles, all these words are closely related. Each refers to someone who has been chosen for and installed in a particular office. God’s Anointed One, the Christ, is King, Emperor, and Sovereign, both by office and by the power conferred on Him. Scripture points repeatedly to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and His Crown rights. In the Old Testament He is anticipated as King. Isaiah 9:6-7 — "For unto us a child is bom, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." In the New Testamen He is declared as King... --at His birth — "Where is He that is born King of the Jews" — Matthew 2:2 --at His triumphal entry — John 12:13 — "They took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." --at His death — Matthew. 27:11 — "And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. " He claimed to be a King, and He died under that accusation. "And they set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS." (Matthew 27:37). --In Luke 1:32-33 Luke declares that Christ is the Rightful Heir to David’s throne — "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end." Biblical Prophecies point to Christ’s return as "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). When Jesus was buried, many believed that the kingdom about which He had talked had shrunk to the narrow dimensions of a grave. The regal robes they had hoped to see Him wear were now a shroud. The throne they had hoped to see Him occupy had disappeared in a tomb. His very scepter —a weed. His only crown— crown of thorns. His only coronation—the spit they flung through sneering lips. His only throne—a cross. His only emblem of royal insignia—the marks of the scourge upon His naked back. His only inaugural speech—a lonely cry. His only glory—shame. His only coronation companions—two thieves. His only inaugural splendor—the black darkness that shrouded the world. His only King’s cup—a sponge filled with vinegar and gall. His only authority—His failure to come down from the cross. This many believed. To them it was the last word, the final scene, a horror of disaster and defeat. Death, with skeleton hand, had written "Ichabod" on all His claims. And He was buried. But then came the morning when He resumed His power, recovered His challenged rights, regained His waning influence, reasserted His sacred grandeur. In the midst of His malicious enemies He "arose a victor from the dark domain", confounding their counsels, thwarting their efforts, laughing to scorn their malice, saying: "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Turn please to Ephesians 1:20-22 at one of the greatest coronations of all time. Ephesians 1:17-22 — "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 8 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church.." Hebrews 2:8,9 -- "Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." Following His death and resurrection the Lord Jesus appeared to groups large and small, teaching them regarding His Kingdom. Then after forty days He gathered His disciples at Jerusalem and said, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). As the echo of His words faded away, there appeared a luminous cloud, the Shekinah Glory, and Jesus rose slowly before their awestruck eyes and was engulfed in the shimmering cloud as He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:50-53) to be greeted by all the hosts of glory. Can you imagine the reception — the music, the perpetual starbursts of color, and the myriads and myriads of angels singing songs of worship, the wondrous winged cherubim and the redeemed hosts of all time reverently bowing and shouting praises, the soft-green-rainbow-circled throne, the Father’s wlecome face, once hidden, but never to be hidden again? What a welcome home to a throne! Jesus was received, exalted, glorified, and made to sit down at the Father’s right hand. The "right hand" signified the position of highest honor and blessing and glory and authority and power. Hebrews 1:33 — To which of the angels did God ever say, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?" (cf. Psalm 110:1). Notice in Ephesians 1:20 and 21, Jesus Christ was crowned head over every "rule and authority and power and dominion, and not only in this present age but in the coming age." There is no limit in extent to His domain. Hebrews 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him." Philippians 2:9-11 —"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Notice how Paul, in speaking of the exaltation of Jesus Christ, is careful to explain that every knee would bow, of things in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth (or in the world below). The heavenly things and the things of earth are understood. But there is a third world to be taken into account, that strange uncanny world of evil spirit beings in rebellion against God's authority. It is spoken of repeatedly as principalities and powers, indicating numbers and organization, dignity, and power. Ephesians 6:12 — "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." All of this is included in what has been placed under Christ's authority. Colossians 2:10 — "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:" Colossians 2:15—"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Armitage Robinson (In his book: St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians — London: Macmillan, 1904... p. 41): "Christ is exalted above every conceivable intelligence — angelic, demonic, or human. Above all that anywhere is, anywhere can be — above all grades of dignity, real or imagined, good or evil, present or to come — the might power of God has exalted and enthroned the Christ." Let me ask the obvious question. Does this mean that Christ is actually ruling now over His domain? How about the affairs on the earth? Are all things in this old, decaying, evil world subject to Him? Is this the way He would have things go? It seems that evil spirits are quite free in their movements. It is most difficult to put your finger on a single spot of the world-map that is not being torn and uptorn by unrest in one shape or another. Balkans, Columbine, abortion, middle east, Ireland, etc. Is this the reign of the crowned Christ? 1 Corinthians 15:24,25 -- "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet." The great simple truth is this, and of which we easily lose sight: Christ has not yet taken possession of all of His domain. Hebrews 2:8 says, "We see not yet all
things subjected to Him." Until the day break, and the shadows flee away. We ask: "Why does Christ not take possession, and untangle the snarl, and right the wrongs?" The answer is HIS INCREDIBLE PATIENCE. THE KING IS CONSTRAINED BY LOVE. Patience is one of the things we humans know so little about. Patience is love at its best. Patience is God at His best. His is the patience that sees all, and faces all with the tender heart that once broke under the load of our sin, and yet waits, steadily waits, and then waits just a bit longer. It is in this that our Lord is so often misunderstood, even by His trusting children. We have a tendancy to mistake patience for weakness or indifference or lack of purpose. But patience is love at its best. Christ, in incredible patience, is giving man the fullest opportunity to come under His authority. He never interferes with man's right of free choice. Man is free to do as he chooses. Every possible means is used to influence him to choose right, but the choice itself is always left to man. This long stretched out waiting time is for man's sake that he may have fullest opportunity to come to Christ. 2 Peter 3:8,9 — "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Romans 2:4— "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Romans 9:22— "What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:" Christ longs for willing hearts to surrender to His sovereignty. He could so easily end the present conflict, but He waits for men to surrender to Him the allegiance of their lives, graciously and voluntarily. Christ was a volunteer Saviour. He longs for that same kind of love that is the bubbling out of a free, full heart. The best love is given freely without any compulsion of any sort. And so He waits, patiently waits, just a bit longer, and the long delay spells out the hunger as well as the patience of God's heart. The divine Husbandman is sending warm sun and soft rains and fragrant dews while waiting.
James 5:7— "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."
—F.M.N. Turn again to Ephesians 1:20-22 —"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church." But while He is waiting, the crowned Christ puts all His limitless power at our disposal. ..."and gave him to be the head over all things to the church." Isn’t that incredible? The Father giving such a glorious, exalted One to the Church! John Owen, the great Puritan theologian and onetime chaplain to Oliver Cromwell listed eleven glories entailed in Christ’s exaltation and Lordship and headship over the Church. "Thus is He glorious in His throne, which is at ‘the right hand of the Majesty on high,’ glorious in His commission, which is ‘all power in heaven and earth;’ glorious in His name, a name above every name, — ‘Lord of lords, and King of kings;’ glorious in His sceptre, — ‘a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of His kingdom;’ glorious in His attendants, — ‘His chariots are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels,’ among them He rideth on the heavens, and sendeth out the voice of His strength, attended with ten thousand times ten thousand of His holy ones; glorious in His subjects, —all creatures in heaven and in earth, nothing is left that is not put in subjection to Him; glorious in his way of rule, and the administration of His kingdom — full of sweetness, efficacy, power, serenity, holiness, righteousness, and grace, in and towards His elect, — of terror, vengeance, and certain destruction towards the rebellious angels and men; glorious in the issue of His kingdom, when every knee shall bow before Him, and all shall stand before His judgment-seat. And what a little portion of His glory is it that we have pointed to! This is the Beloved of the Church, — its Head, its Husband; this is He with whom we have communion…." Jesus Christ, our imperial Lord and Head of all creation has been given to the Church. And how He loves that Church — you and me! And He extends to us His power, if we will but take. In Ephesians 3:20 Paul speaks of this power: " God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us." The great problem in Paul's day and today is to get people to take. The power is fairly trembling in the air at our very finger-tips. And yet we go limping along both bodily and mentally in spiritual leanness. ILLUSTRATION: Just before World War II in the town of Itasca, Texas, a school fire took the lives of 263 children. There was scarcely a family in town which was not touched by this horrifying tragedy. During the war Itasca remained without school facilities. But when the war ended, the town, like many others, began to expand and in fact built a new school which featured what was called "the finest sprinkler system in the world." Civic pride ran high. Honor students were selected to guide citizens and visitors on tours of the new facility to show them the finest, most advanced sprinkler system technology could supply and money could buy. Never again would Itasca be visited by such a tragedy. With the postwar boom the town continued to grow, and seven years later it was necessary to enlarge the school. In adding the new wing it was discovered that the sprinkler system had never been connected. What an incredible story, and almost unbelievable. Yet it is a picture of what has happened in so many Christian lives. There is untold power available for every believer, but so many never hook up, and their lives are thus impotent and shamefully useless. As we learn to keep in touch with the headquarters in Heaven, we will find all the power of the Crowned Christ coming with a soft surging throb of life wherever needed. We may have all we can take. But the taking must be with one's very life. That, my friends, is the great truth for us in this time of waiting. That is the song of victory we should be singing in this present "not-yet" interval. One day this patient, waiting, crowned Christ will rise from His seat at the Father's right hand. He will step directly into the action of earth once again. Man will have had his fullest opportunity lengthened out to the last notch of his possible use of it. Then we shall see the crowned Christ quietly stepping in, taking matters wholly into His own hands, and acting in all the affairs of earth as the Crowned One. Then He shall reign from sea to sea. "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13,14). "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and He that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer" Jude 1:14 — "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints" (Revelation 6:2 ). The night will be gone. The day will have come. The shadows will have fled away. Our King will have come. This time of expectancy will be over (Hebrews 10:13).
But, folks, we are still in the "not-yet" interval. We see not yet all things subject to Him. This is still the waiting time. It is the pleading time for Him. He pleads for the personal crowning of Himself in our lives, that He may reign and He alone. This is our great and privileged opportunity. We shall never see its like again anywhere on this earth. In the reigning time that's coming, this peculiar opportunity of crowning Jesus Christ while He is still absent and despised, will he gone. In the upper world they have no such opportunity. There is no opposition there. Now and here today is the rare opportunity to invite this waiting, patient Sovereign Lord on the throne of our hearts and lives. To place all our possessions and ambitions and plans in subjection under His feet. The crowned Christ is asking us, as His loyal subjects, during this "not-yet" interval to be faithful to the Crown! Ah! By God’s grace, may we not fail in the ruling purpose of our lives. May we may crown Him Lord of all. We can. He asks it. Let’s do it now!
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