Casting Crowns before the Lord

The four and twenty Elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for evermore, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy will’s sake they are, and have been created.
Rev. 4: 10, 11 (1599 Geneva Bible)

Dear Friends,

This Scripture from the Book of Revelation weighs heavy upon my heart as I observe the modern Church in America. The Geneva Bible study note for verse 10 explains:

Three signs of honor given unto God, prostration or falling down, adoration and
casting their crowns before God, in which the godly, though made kings by
Christ, do willingly empty themselves of all glory, moved with a religious
respect for the majesty of God.

Are you moved with a religious respect for the majesty of God? Or truly committed to laying down your life for Christ and willing to “cast” your “crown” before Him? I ask because I see little dying to self within the American Church and much living for the world and self-gratification. I hear much talk about “my rights” and little said about the glory of persecution for the advancement of the Gospel. Instead I see Christians joining with unbelievers to advance their cause and following leaders who make their living by stirring up fear and anger.

The Geneva Bible study note for verse 11 states:

The sum of their speech: that all glory must be given unto God: the reason,
because he is the eternal beginning of all things, from whose only will they
have their being and are governed: and finally in all respects are that which
they are.

Do you have this high and a lofty view of our Lord? Do you see Him as the Sovereign King of Heaven and Earth? That He is “the eternal beginning of all things” and that it is from His will we have our “being and are governed”? If so, my friends please take heart and stand firm for Christ. Don’t let fear be your master. But instead,

“...walk in love, even as Christ hath loved us, and given himself for us, to be
an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savor to God.” (Eph. 5: 2)

Remember and encourage yourselves with these truths:

“...let us also, seeing that we are compassed with so great a cloud of
witnesses, cast away everything that presseth down, and the sin that hangeth so
fast on: let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before him, endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is set at the right
hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12: 1, 2)

My prayer is you will see with the eyes of your heart the glorious riches we have in Christ and that obedience and faithfulness to Him is our greatest expression of love.

May you trust in Him alone. Amen.

All Scripture used is from the 1599 Geneva Bible.

Comments

All Time Favorites

A discerning look at 'Biblical Patriarchy' and those who abuse it

By Angela Wittman While much of what Doug Phillips teaches regarding Patriarchy sounds biblical, because of the lack of practical application, his teachings are often taken to extremes. Sometimes, men just hear his vision of men always “leading,” and they become domineering and demanding, causing undue stress on the wife. I know of one family that divorced precisely because of hearing this teaching and not understanding what it really should be. Sometimes, men will try to emulate what they see in Doug Phillips, and start requiring their families to have all the same rules as the Phillips. Unfortunately, if there are no personal convictions behind the rules, they soon become extremely oppressive and smother the family. Some men just have no clue about how to “lead” their families; they just know that it’s being constantly preached at them from the pulpit. Having come from a home without a godly leader, these men need lots of practical examples. (Taken from: Doug Phillips’ Kangaroo Court

A discerning look at Ted Weiland's "Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective"

By Angela Wittman I believe I have found within the Scriptures the key to what made America great, and this key can restore her to her former greatness. - Ted Weiland, ( Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution; The Christian Perspective , http://www.bibleversusconstitution.org/BlvcOnline/biblelaw-constitutionalism-preface.html) A couple of years ago Ted Weiland contacted me and asked if he might send me his primer on Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective . After receiving and reviewing the primer, I decided to toss it in the trash due to the concern that Mr. Weiland was missing a foundational point - Biblical covenanting. And after recently reviewing his work in greater detail, I believe the reformed and theonomic community should be cautious about Mr. Weiland's book and his beliefs. Due to some glaring "red flags" I encountered while researching Mr. Weiland, I've decided to write this warning and state my concerns. First of a

'Of Saving Faith'

The Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter XIV Of Saving Faith I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, [1] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, [2] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, [3] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened. [4] II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; [5] and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands, [6] trembling at the threatenings, [7] and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. [8] But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. [9] III. This faith is differ

Alzheimer's Disease, Adultery and God's Word

By Angela Wittman "When B. and I realized what we're dealing with and she understood what the situation is, she said to me… 'I know what I have. I know where it's gonna take me. Tell the story. Tell the truth,'" Gasby recounted. In January, he spoke that truth — and let cameras into his home. It's a home he shares with his wife and his girlfriend, Alex Lerner, who also has a bedroom in the house and helps with B.'s care. Yesterday morning I happened to catch the segment Falling in love while caring for your spouse with Alzheimer's disease that aired on CBS This Morning. . I watched in amazement as two men whose wives had Alzheimer's Disease (one wife is now deceased) openly discussed having adulterous relationships with other women. Is this now to become a new norm? These men and women feel they shouldn't be judged, and shockingly the news anchors interviewing them seemed to agree. My father has Alzheimer's Disease and w

A Woman Who Fears the Lord

Search This Blog