Two Crowns

Ps. 8:5. “You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honour.”

Here man is representative of God in ruling all the created existences of the world and is spoken of as crowned with glory and honour. It means ideally that this is man’s true position and function in God’s creation… He’s crowned King to rule the world under God!

But, ultimate fulfillment of this truth is in Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:6-9) the truly ideal and perfect Man.

Many scriptures speak of the Christian’s crown, as Rev. 2: 10, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life”, and Rev. 3:11, “Hold fast that you have so that no one take your crown.” ‘

Paul said that. .. “the crown of righteousness will be given to him by the Lord…” on that day… and the same will be also given to all faithful Christians. 2 Tim. 4:8.

The “Crown of Life” and “crown of righteousness” are not to be thought of as separate or distinct glories to be received at the Lord’s coming… both are total victory over death and sin.

Jesus had a crown of thorns (Christ’s thorn- zizyphus spina-cristi came from a 12′ shrub; has 2 large, sharp curved thorns at the bottom of each leaf… probably the paliurus spinachristi, Christ thorn). Matt. 27:39. The crown of thorns as intended by soldiers had two functions:
1. to mock and humiliate Jesus Christ… grotesque imitation of royalty
2. increase physical torture on him.
Not gently laid on head, but forced down with cruel violence–emphasized contempt for him.

If man’s true position and function in God’s creation is representative of God… if man was crowned King to rule the world under God…

Why so many wars, crime, violence, divorce, drug addiction, alcoholism, pornography, suicides, child abuse, battered wives… ?

In America a recent nation-wide religious survey was made to give a portrait of religion in America. . . first of its kind ever made. Interesting. .. because every 10 years the Census Bureau asks Americans their income, their race, even how many bathrooms they have. .. but fear of Church-State problems kept any question about religion off the census questionnaire. Findings: State with most atheists is Oregon… Greek Orthodox have lowest divorce rate… Unitarians the highest… Most important and astonishing; Mr. Martin Marty, a religion scholar at University of Chicago said that in a high-tech, highly affluent nation, we have 90% who identify themselves with religion.

There are many spiritual movements in the USA. One popular spiritual movement is called the New Age Movement, which combines mysticism, psychology and holistic healing. The scriptures tell us regarding spiritism… 1 Tim 4: 1 (seducing spirits and doctrines of demons), who wrestle flesh and blood. See Eph. 6: 12, spiritual wickedness in high places.

So, where is the religion, where are the crowns? The glory-honour? Perishable crowns were won by ancient Greek athletes. Their ambition was rewarded by these perishable crowns. (2T 48, SC 28). Sis. White had a vision of two crowns in Battle Creek, Mich on Oct. 25, 1861. (IT 347) She saw the earth… dark, gloomy, and angel told her, look carefully. She was shown people on earth, some surrounded by angels of God, others in total darkness, surrounded by evil angels. An arm reached down from heaven, holding a golden scepter (staff, royal authority). Top–crown, diamonds, bright light, words, all who win me are happy and have eternal life. Below–another scepter, upon it jewels, gold silver, some light, earthly crown, treasure, riches is power. All who win me, fame and honour.

She saw a vast multitude rushing forward to obtain this earthy crown, push, crowd weaker, trample, held fast, faces anxious, relatives pushed aside, count, recount treasure. The strong drove back the weak. Multitudes were deformed, sick, aged. Pressed, some died. Dead bodies, onward rush trampled over dead bodies. Those reached it, applauded Satan and evil angels around put charm on them. Many professed Christians. Some had a little light. One hand on heavenly, one hand on earthly. Some were disgusted with the company of eager ones and went for heavenly treasure… changed from dark to light… gloom to joy.

Another company pressed forward, their eyes fixed on the heavenly crown… a crowd appeared, angels helped make way for them, closer, brighter… transformed like angels. They didn’t look back on earthly things.

They were mocked by those chasing the earthly crown. They threw black balls at them, but didn’t hurt them. Those who looked at the black balls were stained.

Matt. 7: 19-24. “where treasure is your heart is… you cannot serve two masters you cannot serve God and mammon.”

The multitude love earth’s treasures… some profess to be followers of Jesus are ambitious for earth’s treasures. They lose sight of and love for heaven: They act like the world.

A young man came to Jesus. Matt. 19:J6, and asked, “what shall I do to have eternal life?” Jesus said, part with possessions. The young man left sorrowful. The disciples were amazed. Who can be saved. With man it is impossible, with God all things are possible.’..

Those clamoring for an earthly crown resort to any means possible to get property. They become insane, their whole thoughts and energies are focused on it, they trample on others, on the poor and the aged. They have but few years ahead of them, they are nearer to the grave, they become more anxious to get earthly treasures, the members of their families suffer to survive, they ignore the poor. Yet Abraham would not hold back his own son.
Those going for an earthly crown with all their strength and energy, show by their works that they have no interest in heavenly things.

The young man kept the commandments but the Lord told him he lacked one thing. He desired eternal life but loved his possessions more!

Many are deceived by themselves, their energies and powers are not used, they’re troubled and confused. Mark 4:19. Their lights went out, they didn’t seek important truths, their choked the truth.

Multitudes of deformed, sick, press for an earthly crown. They rush on to a miserable end. Those who reached the earthly crown and were applauded, the whole aim of their life were riches. The world gives them this honour. They have influence in the world. Satan and his angels have them, and are happy. Satan’s agents are rebellious to God.

Those pushing their way to a heavenly crown were God’s faithful people. The angels help them on.

The false balls thrown at the saints were false doctrines and falsehoods, by those who love to make a lie. Take great care to live a blameless life, refrain from the appearance of evil, move forward. Pay attention to falsehood, of wickedness. While the eyes of the righteous are fixed upon the heavenly priceless treasure, they will be more and more like Christ and will be transformed and ready for translation.

Which of the two crowns are you seeking after?

AMEN

John Theodorou USA/Greece