Jan 23-24, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee

Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,

Our theme this year, based on the hymn by the same name, is “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” There are totally12 verses, first 6 by Matthew Bridges (1851) and 6 additional verses by Godfrey Thring. Let us reflect om the rich theology of this hymn based on the Holy Scriptures and discover what it means by looking at 10 of the 12 verses, one at a time, beginning with verse 1.

Crown him with many crowns

Crown him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own:
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless king
Through all eternity.

Crown Him with Many Crowns. We have already noted that the title comes from Revelation 19:12,
11 Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse! The one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice he judges and goes to war. 12 His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself.

Revelation 19:11-16 is about the return of Christ to Earth, the first of seven things John saw the Son of God goes to war against Satan. When the heaven opened, the Son of God returns riding on a white horse which symbolizes victory over one’s enemies. He is described as “Faithful” (trustworthy) and “True”(righteous, the real Messiah). This contrasts with the Antichrist who was unfaithful and untrue. Jesus Christ Has come to judge the beast and make war with him.

Jesus Christ’s eyes are like a fiery flame (with piercing judgment) and there are many diadem crowns on his head. “Diadem crowns” were a type of crown that symbolizes the highest ruling authority of a king. Jesus refused the diadem when Satan offered it to Him during His temptation (Mt. 4:9) and now He is the King of Kings, not of an earthy kingdom, but a heavenly one. He is also given a name that is above every name (Phi. 2:9). But here, at His return, He has “a name written that no one knows except himself.” Christ comes with power and authority to rule.

The Lamb upon His (the) throne:

The above imagery of Christ the King who has returned to rule and judge is the culmination of a series of revelations that begins in Chapter 4 of Revelation. The imagery of the Lamb is drawn from Revelation 5, especially Rev. 5: 6 -14. The Lamb that was slain was standing in the middle of the throne, and He alone was worthy to open the seven seals of the scroll in the right hand of God the Father. When the Lamb took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders prostrated before Him and worshipped him singing:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals
because you were killed,
and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God
persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

10 You have appointed them as a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will            reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:9-10)
“Myriads and myriads” (ten thousand times ten thousand) angels joined in the chorus:
“Worthy is the lamb who was killed
to receive power and wealth
     and wisdom and might
     and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:12)

This was followed by every creature singing:
“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise, honor, glory, and ruling power forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13)

Finally, “the four living creatures were saying “Amen,” and the elders threw themselves to the ground and worshiped.” (Rev. 5:14) This is the resounding sound of praise and worship captured in verse 1 of our hymn.

To crown Him is to worship Him: To “Crown Him with Many Crowns” who will come again to be rule and judge in the end times is therefore above all to truly praise and worship Christ the King, the Lamb upon the throne. Christ is the Coming King, as is emphasized in the fourth element of the Four-fold Gospel of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Our ultimate hope is that when Christ returns, He will bring divine judgement to the earth. This is why we celebrate this truth by worshipping Him as the King of Kings now and forever.

The world we see is filled with pain and suffering, evil and injustice, much of which we cannot escape from, exasperated by the unfortunate devastation of the pandemic on the one hand, and on the other, the corruption from the misuse of power. But may be find peace, hope and joy in Christ and sing,
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless king
Through all eternity.

Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Simon Lee