By Pastor Dr. Shana Wise
Revelation 4:10-11, “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.””
Definition of a crown (dictionary.com): any of various types of headgear worn by a monarch as a symbol of sovereignty, often made of precious metal and ornamented with valuable gems.
Who were the 24 Elders? They represent the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles symbolizing Jews and Gentiles that are now a part of God’s family (New Testament and Old Testament).
For the ones that have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, we are now considered the royalty of the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ is the King, and we are the children of God. Our Father’s Kingdom is accessible to all his children. Therefore, we have “crowns” however
unlike the world’s crowns, our crowns look different, for they are spiritual.
1 Peter 2:9-10, But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
We first see physical crowns in the bible with the priest in the book of Exodus:
Exodus 29:5-7, Then you shall take the garments, put the tunic on Aaron, and the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the intricately woven band of the ephod. 6 You shall put the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. 7 And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him.
Exodus 39:29-31, and a sash of fine woven linen with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, made by a weaver, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 30 Then they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold and wrote on it an inscription like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. 31 And they tied to it a blue cord, to fasten it above on the turban, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
God used the priest in the Old Testament for His special use. They were the ones who served in the temple of God and handled the animal sacrifices the people brought. He sanctified them and set them apart for a special purpose and like them, we are set apart to for Christ. The Holy Spirit that resides in us sanctifies us unto the Lord.
Let us examine why the Elders sitting around the throne may have cast their crowns:
Types of crowns found in Psalms and Proverbs:
Psalms 8:5, For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Psalms 21:3, For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
Psalms 103:4, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Psalms 132:18, His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”
Proverbs 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
Proverbs 14:18 The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Proverbs 14:24, The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly.
Proverbs 16:31, The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.
We have sometimes lost the crown because of sin (or witness others forfeit their crown)
Lamentations 5:16, The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
We have fought the good fight of faith, through our discipline in the Word.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
2 Timothy 4:6-8, For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
We have loved God under trials
James 1:12, Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
We have been a leader (shepherd) to your people
1 Peter 5:1-4, The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
We realized what Jesus did for us!
Matthew 27:29, When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
We know that Christ is coming back!
Revelation 3:11, Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotionals Acts of Intercession and Chief Women Arise, The Impact of Your Election, and Basic Ministry Training Manual (all available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets. Shana is married to Deacon Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
For speaking engagements email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.
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Acts of Intercession
The Impact of Your Election
Basic Ministry Training Manual
Chief Women Arise
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