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.