Solomon

Go forth, behold King Solomon with the crown wherewith His mother crowned Him in the day of His espousal

15 April 2017

Dear Phyllis,

There is a verse in Song of Solomon that is as unique as any in scripture. Very clearly the Song of Sol. is the relationship of Jesus with His Bride, and verse 2:11 speaks of His coronation. As in many languages where nouns are expressed in male and female gender there is gender in scripture where things of the earth are expressed as the female gender and things on the heavenly side are in the male gender. All Christians are known as the Sons of God. This is because of our new birth with the Holy Spirit. Christ's humanity as man came through His female mother, and His Sonship as the Son of God was through His Father.

Solomon is a strong type of Christ, and Jesus was well known as the son of David. Solomon had two coronations. The first one was a private event when his brother Adonijah tried to usurp the kingdom (1Kn. 1). The second one was a more formal one after the kingdom was firmly established (1 Ch. 29:22). Just as Solomon had two coronations, Jesus will have two coronations. His first coronation was on earth and the second one will be in heaven. That is why S of S 2:11, in speaking of His earthly coronation, the Bible describes it as “wherewith His mother crowned Him”. It is His earthly coronation. And what a coronation it was!

In line with the Inverted Kingdom, every thing in the life of Christ is the opposite of mans ways and His coronation is the most inverted thing imaginable. Just as it is inconceivable that the Creator of all things should be born as a baby of a peasant girl in a barn, so the coronation of the Son of God is the most diametric event possible.

One third of the four gospels is devoted to the Last Week of the life of Christ. I believe the reason for this extensive coverage is because this describes the coronation of Christ. In former years, coronation of royalty was not something done in two or three hours. Dignitaries and honored guest came by ship from around the world and the event lasted several days. The king of Thailand died a few months ago. The new one, his son, has not been crowned yet, but they say when he is crowned that coronation will last seven days. In Jesus' case it lasted one week.

It is perfectly proper that the coronation should begin with a parade and this was done with the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday. For Queen Elizabeth and several previous kings of England they were brought in in a carriage drawn by royal horses. When David had Solomon first crowned he told Nathan, “Let him ride on my own mule” (1Kn. 1:33). This was a special animal that no one but the king rode. What a royal steed Jesus had for His Triumphal Entry. He came in on the colt of a donkey. Red carpets are always used for dignitaries. For a red carpet He had palm branches the dirty coats of followers; and for royal trumpeters He had the cries of children.

For our US president's inauguration they have dances all over Washington. Obama had ten and Trump had three. For royal coronations they have several dignitary banquets and state dinners. For Jesus' coronation state dinner it was a meal in a lepers house where He was anointed by a poor woman with ointment used for burial. Then there was an argument among His disciples why that ointment should be wasted.

For a coronation the king is brought in with a military parade and great ceremony. For Jesus' coronation His parade was at midnight where he was brought in by soldiers as a bound criminal. But the coronation itself was astounding. After being sent around town for three different trials (the Sanhedrin, Pilot, and Herod) He was sent back to Pilot for final sentencing. It was here where the actual crowning took place. After being severely abused, scourged, and spit on; for His crowning Jesus was taken to the Praetorian. There He was striped naked and dressed in His royal robe. A reed was placed in His hand for a royal scepter, and the Crown was placed on His head. Then the soldiers bowed before Him saying, “Hail King of the Jews”. This was His crowning. What a scene! It is impossible to construct a more disgusting mockery. What an event!

But the crown! I cannot describe it. It is only with reluctance that I attempt with inadequate words to discuss it. Nothing could be more fulfilling than Jesus' crown should be a crown of thorns. At this point time flashes back 4,000 years to what took place in the Garden. The direct result of Adam's sin was thorns. There were no thorns or thistles in the original Garden, but the fruit of sin was to bring forth thorns (Gen. 3:17,18). As the second Adam Jesus came to undo the tragedy of the Fall. To do this, as humanities representative, it is inexpressible that Jesus would wear the fruit of Adams transgression and be crowned with thorns. It is to this point that the Holy Spirit encourages us to “Go forth and “Behold the King with the Crown wherewith His mother crowned Him”. This was Jesus' coronation. It was at this point that Jesus was crowned the King of the Jews.

And then the lifting up on His Throne. Here all human reason and expression retreats in silence. There are no words in human language to express the paradox of the Throne upon which He was lifted up. Nothing could be a greater mystery than the Son of God, the Creator and ruler of all things, should be crowned with thorns and be lifted up on a Cross-Throne.

And may I suggest that it has been from this Cross-Throne that Jesus has ruled His Kingdom for the past 2,000 years. “It was through death that Jesus destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:14,15). The Cross is the ultimate instrument and symbol of death. There is no one more helpless than a man on a cross. But the Cross of Christ has proved to be the power of God unto salvation(1 Cor. 1:18). Norman Grub raised the question, “Which is more powerful, the Roman sword or the Cross of Christ?”. For three hundred years the Roman sword was the most powerful instrument on earth. The Roman sword is gone today but the message of the Cross of Christ still prevails. Mao said, “Political power comes through the barrel of a gun.” His wife boasted Christianity would soon be utterly extinguished. Today China is fast becoming the most Christian country on earth. Tyrants have come and gone, but the Cross of Christ is the most enduring Throne and has brought the Kingdom of God to any place on this planet where it has been proclaimed.

Today is Resurrection Sunday. The Cross was Jesus' key to unlock the prison of sin and set millions of prisoners free. And with His resurrection and ascension to heaven Jesus has gone before us to unlock the gate of the City to allow us to enter heaven.

Just as Solomon was crowned twice – the first time was at a time of contention, and the second time after the kingdom was firmly established – in like manner Jesus will be crowned a 2^nd time. But this will be when the marriage is culminated with His Bride (Rev. 21). His first Crown was a crown of thorns, but His second Crown will be the glory and honor of His Father.

Just as God caused to deep sleep to fall upon Adam to bring his bride out of his rib bone (Gen. 2:24), it was by the death of Christ that His Bride was born out of His heart. The day of Jesus' earthly crowning was the day of His espousal. That was the day when He won His Bride. But the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be the day of that marriage culmination.

Oh my goodness, this message has never been more powerful than it has been to me this past week as I have beheld our King with His Crown at that earthly event that took place 2,000 years ago. There are no words in human language to describe it. All we can do is gaze, wonder, and worship.

                                                      bill