Crown Imperial – William Walton
They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
The majesty of heaven is far beyond description of anything we have encountered in this temporal kingdom in the place of this lowly earth on which God our Father and King has placed us in these last days.
Perhaps closest in imagery is the glory of passing kingdoms, even the former glory of Great Britain, whose queen, HRH Elizabeth II, has reigned over seventy-five years.
The Prophet Daniel addressed the King over his life and existence on this earth in a foreign land with a respect and honor no longer rendered to HRM, Prime Ministers, Presidents, or Popes; yet once, the people bowed down to their earthly rulers.
Though Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul and others honored Caesar, they did not worship Caesar in place of the Living God.
Daniel so honored the King and came to leadership in a foreign land as Joseph had honored Pharaoh and came to leadership in Egypt. All is in witness that we bow down to God Almighty in Heaven, while we serve God’s appointed leaders on earth.
Hear this witness to the Lord:
Daniel 4
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
4 [a] King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and his dominion endures from generation to generation.
34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,
for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Who is the King before which the Kings and Queens of the earth will cast all their crowns and bow down to Him?
Though Satan will seek to usurp the Throne, Christ Jesus IS the victor of the Kingdom through His Sacrifice on the Cross.
ALL will bow down before Christ Jesus, or Lord!
Hebrews 1: 3-4
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Jude 1:24
English Standard Version (ESV)
Doxology
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
