Casting Crowns
By Steve Pruitt
2 Timothy 2:5 NKJV
Six times in the Revelation of Jesus Christ we read that the twenty-four elders fall down and worship.
The fact that these elders were sitting on thrones brings us to the conclusion they had some power to
render judgment. However, with each new revelation of God and the Lamb they quickly deserted their
place of judgment and took the proper place of worship. In Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders not
only bowed in worship, but also cast their crowns before the throne of God.
In ancient times crowns were given to rulers or athletes; individuals who had conquered something.
A good example of this can be seen in the movie Ben Hur. Judah Ben Hur (Charlton Heston) is presented
with a crown by Pontius Pilate after winning the chariot race.
In his letters to the Philippians and Thessalonians Paul says the believers living in those cities are his
crown. Other crowns are mentioned in scripture such as the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8),
crown of life (James 1:12 and Revelations 2:10), and the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). All of these crowns
are rewards for obedience to the call of God.
Paul makes reference to the presentation of crowns in his letter to the Corinthians. He said, Do you
not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run is such a way that you may
obtain it. 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. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
John writes in Revelation 19:12 that the rider of the white horse, which is Jesus, is wearing many
crowns. In "Manners and Customs of the Bible" James M. Freeman writes that monarchs who claimed
authority over more than one country wore more than one crown. The vision of Jesus wearing many
crowns establishes the truth that he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The twenty-four elders took the glory they had received for their work and cast it before the throne of
God. They understood that the only one worthy to receive glory was the one who sat on the throne. Jesus
was their King and Lord and they adorned him with their crowns. He had conquered their souls.
To live a life of worship we must have a revelation that Jesus alone is worthy of glory and lay all of
our crowns at his feet. Jesus must be the conqueror of our soul.
Has Jesus conquered your soul? Does he get all the glory from your life? Have you laid all your
crowns at his feet? Ask the Father to give you the same humility as the twenty-four elders.
Scriptures for meditation:
Isaiah 42:8
1 Corinthians 9:26
2 Timothy 4:7
Copyright © 2007 Steve Pruitt/JustWorship.com
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