the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne,

— Revelation 4:10

16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,

17 saying: “We give thanks to You, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.

— Revelation 11:16-17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

–James 1:17

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

— Revelation 2:10

I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

–Revelation 3:11

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

–1 Timothy 1:17

The LORD alone deserves all of the praise, because of his love and faithfulness

–Psalm 115:1

He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

–1 Timothy 6:16

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Bountiful grace and mercy to you from the incarnated God, the Savior Jesus Christ.

As the 24 elders in God’s throne room worship, they cast their crowns before God’s throne. This act signified honor for God as one would honor royalty and reflected allegiance and submission to His sovereignty. God alone is worthy of glory and honor and power. This respectful and worshipful deed by the elders also recognized God as the source of and the authority over everything they had—the giver of every gift. All reward come by God’s grace and through His power.

God promises crowns to those who persevere in living faithfully for Him. However, any act of obedience or spiritual accomplishment has its source in God Himself. We serve God and bear fruit for His Kingdom only by His enabling. He grants us, His people, His power and regard them as worthy by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The ultimate reward is not human praise but giving honor back to the Father on the throne.