CROWNS

With the crowning of King Charles III this week in England, it seems an appropriate time to look at what the Bible has to say about crowns.

In the New Testament there are two types of crowns.  In Greek they are “stephanos” and “diadema”.

A stephanos crown is an entwined wreath of greenery.  Think about an ancient Greek in a toga with the laurel wreath circling his head.  This is a stephanos crown.  This type of crown is given to recognize someone for victory in sporting events (like the Olympics), or for outstanding valor in battle, or in honor of an achievement.

A diadema, or diadem as we know it, is the crown worn by the ruler of a sovereign nation.

When Jesus was crucified they placed a crown of thorns on his head:

Matthew 27: 29 “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 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!”

In essence they were saying to him: “not only do you not deserve a diadema, you don’t even deserve a stephanos crown.  Therefore, we are fashioning for you a crown which we deem to be appropriate, which is nothing.”

Stephanos Crowns

There are various types of stephanos crowns mentioned in the Bible, and some of them can and will be awarded to us for our achievements in the kingdom.

I Thessalonians 2: 19-20 “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.”

The crown of rejoicing is our reward when we see the people whom we have helped to enter the kingdom in the presence of the Lord.

II Timothy 4: 7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The crown of righteousness is for all who are faithful and persevere to the end.

James 1: 12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Remember that Jesus said that those who love him keep his commandments. This crown is for those who take this to heart and resist temptation.

I Peter 5: 1-4 “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;  Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

This crown is given to church leaders who properly care for the sheep in their flock.

Revelation 2:10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

This crown is reserved for those who endure tribulation even to the point of death for the sake of Christ.

The Bible mentions a few others who will wear a stephanos crown:

Revelation 6: 2 “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.”

This is the image of the Antichrist coming on the scene.

Revelation 4: 4, 10  “And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold….The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne…”

We will all throw our crowns before the throne of him who gave them.

Diadema

There are only three mentions of anyone wearing a diadem in the New Testament.

Revelation 12: 3 “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.”

Revelation 13: 1 “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”

These verses refer to Satan, the Antichrist, and the rulers of the new world order that they will seek to establish upon the earth.

Revelation 19: 11-12 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.”

This is the vision of Christ returning with many diadema on his head.

So, the question becomes:  Why are Satan and his horde wearing diadema?

Satan and the Antichrist are trying to proclaim that they are the sovereign rulers of the world.

Let’s make an analogy to the crowning of King Charles III.  Suppose you were able to break into the Tower of London and steal the Crown Jewels.  Then you placed this diadem upon your head.  Would this make you the sovereign of Great Britain?  Not for a minute!

As with King Charles III and other kings of earth, there is only one way to legitimately possess a diadem.

It is inherited by bloodline.  Let that sink in!