A Coronation Like No Other
Jesus Christ is to be our King. We know that nations and empires throughout history have celebrated the crowning of new monarchs with spectacular pageantry and lavish ceremonies. So what sort of coronation ceremony can we expect for Jesus Christ, the King of Kings who will reign over all nations on earth?
Does the Bible describe such an event? Yes! A passage in Revelation can definitely be interpreted as a coronation ceremony and according to the description it will be a coronation like no other!
Coronations are formal investitures of a monarch with regal power. They generally follow a basic format starting with a fanfare of trumpets, an announcement as to who is being crowned, followed by a swearing-in ceremony involving an oath to uphold the law, or constitution of the realm. Then the new sovereign is generally anointed by a priest, or religious figure, and a crown is placed on their head while sitting on the royal throne. Then various dignitaries come forward to swear their allegiance to the new monarch.
These ceremonies are usually accompanied by a lot of trumpet blowing, choirs singing and prayers. Once crowned, the new monarch can begin exercising power by issuing royal decrees and rewarding loyal subjects with lands and position of power to rule under them.
Trumpets Sound
Trumpets were blown in ancient Israel to herald important events especially when new Kings were crowned. For example a trumpet was blown after Solomon was anointed to be King and there was great rejoicing, “So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.” (I Kings 1:38-40)
Trumpets were also blown when Joash was crowned, “And he brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king... …the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets” (II Kings 11:12 & 14). During the coronation ceremony Joash was given a testimony (i.e. a copy of the law) before he was anointed. Then after he was crowned allegiances were pledged involving both himself, his subjects and God by way of a covenant to keep the testimony that was the law, “And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’S people; between the king also and the people.” (II Kings 11:17).
Christ the King
We know that Christ is prophesied to be King over all the earth, “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” (Zechariah 14:9).
Many do not realise that Christ’s coronation is described in the Book of Revelation during the events that take place on the Day of Trumpets. His coronation will take place as the last of the seven trumpets is blown. At that time great voices from Heaven will announce His ascension to the throne, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” (Revelation 11:15-17)
That announcement booming out from Heaven will be heard on earth and people will be able to see the Heavenly Temple revealed amid a spectacular display of lightning, voices and thunders, along with an earthquake and hail. Within that Heavenly temple they will see the throne on which He is to be crowned, “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:19).
It is the Heavenly Temple on which the Tabernacle and the temples of ancient Israel were patterned, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Hebrews 8:5).
The furniture, instruments and fittings produced under instruction for the Tabernacle were only a poor replica of what will be revealed in the Heavenly Temple, “According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” (Exodus 25:9 see also Exodus 25:40).
Prominent among the items of furniture was the golden Ark that contained the testimony of the law, “And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.” (Exodus 25:10-11). Also, “And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.” (Exodus 25:16).
Above the Ark was the mercy seat with golden images of Cherubim at either end, “And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.” (Exodus 25:17-19)
The mercy seat was the throne from which the Word, or Logos communicated to the Israelites in those days, “And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark” (Exodus 25:21). Also, “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.” (Exodus 25:22).
The Ark and the mercy were mere replicas of the true Heavenly Ark of the Testimony on which they were patterned. It is on the Heavenly mercy seat that Christ is to be crowned and it will be revealed in the Heavenly Temple for all on earth to see.
Instead of the gold images of two Cherubim covering the mercy seat the inhabitants of earth will see two actual Cherubim standing either side of the throne that is the mercy seat.
It is important that we understand more about these two Cherubim.
Two Anointed Ones
Zechariah described them as two olive trees, or anointed ones standing either side of the candlestick, “What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof… …These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:11-14).
The candlestick is one of the items of furniture in the original Tabernacle. It symbolised Christ and His mission to bring light to the world. Our article entitled ‘The Magnificent Menorah’ explains the symbolism in detail.
The two anointed ones that Zechariah pictured as two olive trees either side of the candlestick are symbolic of their role to be witnesses of Christ during His mission.
According to the Book of Revelation there will also be Two Witnesses preaching about Christ’s return to complete His mission to bring light to the world.
Many have believed that the two end-time witnesses will be two men, either from within the current Churches of God, or else they will be two men resurrected from ages past.
But in light of what the Book of Revelation reveals about the coronation of Christ we believe that the Two Witnesses will be the two Cherubim manifested as human beings (see our article entitled ‘The Two Witnesses’).
There is sufficient scriptural evidence that two angelic beings have witnessed for Christ at various times during His dealings with man, “And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;” (Genesis 19:1). Just like the Two Witnesses of Revelation these angels manifested as men had miraculous power, “And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.” (Genesis 19:11).
When Mary looked into Christ’s tomb she saw two angels manifested as men who witnessed that Christ had risen, “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou?” (John 20:11-13).
Again two angels manifested as men were witness to Christ’s ascension to Heaven, “And when he (Christ) had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts1:9-11).
According to the Book of Revelation there will be a time of great tribulation for the inhabitants of this earth at the end of this age and because Satan knows his days are numbered, he will unleash his fury on the world, “…Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Revelation 12:12).
Fortunately God will intervene in this world’s affairs before the actions of men destroy all life from the earth, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22).
Two Witnesses
During this time of tribulation there will be two very powerful witnesses preaching about the events that will soon come to pass. They will preach about Christ who is to be crowned King of Kings. And they will continue preach on through the first six trumpet plagues on the Day of the Lord. Those plagues that take place as described in Revelation 8:1 through to 10:6 will confirm their testimony about Christ.
When the Two Witnesses have completed their testimony and the seventh trumpet begins to sound those in authority on earth will have the Two Witnesses killed. There will be much rejoicing at their deaths, “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” (Revelation 11:7-12).
Those who rejoice at the death of the Two Witnesses will be astounded when life returns to them and a great voice calls them up to Heaven!
They will be further astounded when immediately after the two witnesses ascend a trumpet will sound and a great voice from Heaven will announce that Christ is about to be crowned King over all their nations just as those Two Witnesses had preached, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15).
And they will be even further astonished when the Heavenly Temple in all its majestic splendour is revealed for the world to see.
Then they will see Jesus Christ seated on the mercy seat ready to be crowned king over all the earth and either side of Him will be the same two Cherubim. Not golden images of Cherubim like the ones in the earthly Tabernacle, but they will see the living angelic beings, who were on earth preaching to them about this very event, “... and their enemies beheld them.” (Revelation 11:12). They will see them standing each side of Christ throne as witness to His coronation and to His mission to bring light to the world.
Some have said that the Two Witnesses cannot be spirit beings because spirit cannot die, but if they can be manifested as living men then surely they can also be manifested to appear as dead bodies. As Christ Himself said, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).
What an incredibly spectacular event Christ’s coronation will be.
It will be a daunting sight for those who have just celebrated the death of these Two Witnesses and many will react in anger, because it means an end to their positions of power and status, “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:18).
Saints and Prophets Rewarded
The passage we have just read also mentions the next part of the ceremony when the saints and prophets are to be rewarded.
Some have assumed that this refers to salvation and the resurrection of the saints and prophets to eternal life. But the Greek word 'misthos' translated as 'reward' means - hire, reward or wages paid for services. We know that salvation cannot be earned as it is a gift from God (Romans 6:23) therefore the 'reward' given to the saints and prophets at Christ's coronation is something earned through diligence as implied in the parable of the talents (Matthew 24:14-30).
The 'reward' of the prophets and saints is their appointment to various positions of authority within the Government of Christ that is going to rule the world, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4).
By this time the leaders on earth will know that Christ with His newly appointed Government is going to descend to the earth and depose Satan just as the Two Witnesses had preached. And their positions of authority and power are at an end because Christ is going to ‘…destroy them which destroy the earth’ (Revelation 11:18). This is what will provoke a very angry response from them.
Isaiah prophesied about this very event on the Day of the Lord when the prophets and saints are appointed to Christ’s Government, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3).
The phrase ‘beauty for ashes’ implies that their mourning will be rewarded with a crown and ‘oil of joy’ that they will be anointed to positions of honour. The ‘the garment of praise’ symbolises the robes of a priest. They will also be called ‘trees of righteousness’ because they will show God’s glory to the world.
They shall be anointed as priests, “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD” (Isaiah 61:6) under a better and everlasting covenant, “I will make an everlasting covenant with them.” (Isaiah 61:8).
Christ that promise to His followers, “…ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (I Peter 2:9).
The ordination of the resurrected prophets and saints will take place in Heaven during the coronation when the seventh Trumpet is blown.
At this point the narrative of the coronation in the Book of Revelation is interrupted by the insertion of two explanatory chapters (12 and 13).
Christ’s Government
The narrative describing the coronation ceremony continues in Chapter 14 of Revelation where we see the prophets and saints assembled with Christ before the throne of God which is the Heavenly Mount Sion (Zion), “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Revelation 14:1-5).
Clearly the 144,000, or first fruits, redeemed from the earth are in Heaven before God’s throne during the coronation to receive their reward which is their appointment to serve in Christ’s Government.
The number twelve in the Bible is believed to be symbolic of governance and therefore we can conclude that twelve times twelve is symbolic of perfect government. The number of 144,000 that makes up Christ’s Government is believed to be a symbolic number rather than a finite one and will comprise prophets and saints resurrected from both ancient and modern times.
They have established their allegiance to God, “having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” (Revelation 14:1). They did this at baptism through the ‘better’ covenant based on spiritual promises administered by Christ, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6) And in doing so pledged their commitment to Christ and will to follow Him wherever He goes, “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” (Revelation 14:4).
These saints and prophet are pictured as standing before the throne of God during this ceremony to receive their reward, “And are without fault are without fault before the throne of God.” (Revelation 14:5).
They will sing a holy song of appreciation, “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.” (Revelation 14:3). And they will reign with Christ over the earth during the Millennium, “…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4).
Seven Last Plagues
In the mean time the prophets and saints are still pictured as being in Heaven before the throne of God when the final seven vials are administered upon those who continue to resist Christ, “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (Revelation 15:1-4).
It is from the throne of Christ in the Heavenly Temple that the final seven vials are delivered, “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever” (Revelation 15:5-7).
At this point access to the Heavenly Temple ceases until the plagues are completed, which may simply mean that the chance of repentance for the those who worship the Beast is to be closed off for them during these plagues, “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” (Revelation 15:8)
The plagues are then poured out upon the earth, “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.” (Revelation 16:1).
They will affect only those who have mark of the Beast, “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” (Revelation 16:2).
Innumerable Multitude
Note particularly that those plagues do not affect the innumerable multitude who turn to God as a result of the preaching of the Two Witnesses. Just as the ancient Israelites were protected from the last plague in Egypt by the blood of the lamb in the door posts (Exodus 12:7-14) so too will these people, who turn to Christ be protected by God, “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:2-3).
The Greek word ‘sphragis’ translated as ‘seal’ implies a stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively. We believe that stamp or mark to be God’s Spirit and those who have God’s Spirit will be obeying the Ten Commandments especially the Commandment to keep the Sabbath which is a sign of His people.
The Hebrew word ‘owth’ is translated as ‘sign’ also means a mark, miracle, ensign, or token.
However, the Greek word ‘Charagma’ translated as ‘mark’ as in the mark of the Beast according to Strongs implies a badge of servitude.
God’s people are to be clearly defined from those who worship and serve the Beast. God’s people have God’s Spirit and keep the Sabbath whereas those who follow the Beast power will reject the Sabbath as a day of worship.
Armies at Armageddon
The culmination of these final seven plagues administered from Heaven is the gathering of a great army to oppose the return of Christ, “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.” (Revelation 16:14-17).
The phrase ‘It is done’ indicates that God’s judgement upon the earth has been is fulfilled and this announcement is accompanied by a great earthquake and hail storm, “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” (Revelation 16:18-21).
It also signals the fall of this world’s social, political, military, religious and financial systems. The affect the Babylonian system has had on this world is described in Revelation 17 and it fall is described in Revelation 18.
At this stage the armies of the Beast power will be gathered at Armageddon to oppose the return of Jesus Christ as He descends to earth with His newly appointed government to reign over the nations on earth.
Christ’s Return
It is only after these events ascribed to the Day of Trumpets have been fulfilled that Christ returns with His saints and prophets to confront the armies that are gathered, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16).
Notice that it is implied in this passage that Christ is already crowned King of Kings when He returns. So His coronation must have already taken take place prior to His return to defeat the armies. He is to be crowned when the seventh trumpet is sounded which is before the last seven plagues when the armies gather at Armageddon and He does not return to earth until after the last of those plagues as shown in Revelation 19.
Further Points to Note
It is obvious that the coronation of Christ as king over all the earth is not going to take place on earth as many have assumed.
Christ is not going to be crowned on the ‘stone of destiny’ (Lia Fail) as many claim. This erroneous concept has been concocted by men twisting scripture to fit ancient myths and legends found in Irish folklore in misguided attempt to prove a link between the British throne and the throne of David (see our article entitled ‘Children of the Promises’).
Nor will Christ be crowned on some rock that a prominent church leader prayed over as some are now claiming.
Revelation 11:15-19 clearly describes the incredible event when Christ will be crowned as taking place in Heaven. It will miraculously be seen by those on earth. He will be seated on the mercy seat positioned over the Ark of the Covenant which is clearly shown to be in the Heavenly temple and will take place when the seventh trumpet is blown.
The ceremony will be witnessed by Two Witnesses resurrected to stand either side of the throne.
It is the time when the resurrected saints and prophets will be rewarded by ordination into a royal priesthood that will serve the new King during His reign over all the earth.
Obviously if the saints and prophets are in Heaven with Christ during the coronation and when the last seven plagues are administered, it means that they have must have been resurrected to spirit prior to these events. We have previously addressed this issue in our article entitled ‘Last Trump’.
Conclusion
Jesus Christ is going to be crowned King over all nations and it will be a truly spectacular event seen by all on earth.
His coronation will definitely be a coronation like no other.
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