v.9-11 “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.’”
With nothing in themselves worthy to offer Jesus for His Great Work, the elders remove their crowns and lay them at the feet of God. They offer only that which He has given them; their crowns (read supplementary notes).
Here’s a thought, dear ones.
Whereas a crown of life was promised to the over comers in Smyrna (2:10), an admonition to hold fast to their crowns was given to those in Philadelphia (3:11). In other words, crowns can be gained or lost. We can enter heaven with a crown or without a crown. Perhaps we should contemplate the moment we behold Jesus and consider whether we will possess a crown as an offering to Him or simply stand in His presence empty-handed. With such a glorious opportunity to revere Him, it would be sad for us to miss it.
