Rev. 3:7-13, Diadem and Stephanos?

There are two types of crowns in the NT.  There are “diadems” (Greek diadèma), crowns of royalty, crowns given by right.  It’s only used in Rev. 12:3 and 13:1 (crowns on the dragon and the first beast) and 19:12 (crowns on Christ in His revelation … He has many diadems because He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

Then there are “stephanoi,” the crowns of victory, given to winners in contests.  This is the most common type.  There is a noun (stephanos) and verb (stephanoō).  This crown is for those who succeed in running the race of life.  In other words, it is earned.  Keep in mind that the “earning” is accomplished by the grace of God in us, but it is still a reward for faithfulness.

·       Matt 27:29; Mk 15:17; Jn 19:2,5: crown of thorns.  Think about this.  Jesus “won” this crown, at least according to the soldiers who placed it on Him.

·       1 Cor 9:25: Runners in a race run for a perishable crown; we run the race of life for an imperishable one. 

·       1 Thess 2:19: Paul's hope, joy, crown of rejoicing is the Thessalonian church.

·       2 Tim 2:5: Athletes not crowned (verb) unless they compete acc. to the rules.

·       2 Tim 4:8: The crown of righteousness is for all who have loved His appearing.

·       Heb. 2:7,9: Christ, as the quintessential Man, was crowned (verb) with glory & honor; He was made lower than angels for death, but crowned (verb) with glory & honor that He might taste death for all.

·       Jas 1:12: One faithful in temptation receives a crown of life which is for all who love the Lord.

·       1 Pet 5:4: Faithful Shepherds (pastors) receive crown of glory.

·       Rev 2:10: faithful martyrs receive the crown of life.

·       Rev 3:11: Hold fast what you have so no one will take your crown.  In other words, so no one hinders you from completing the race successfully.

·       Rev 4:4,10: 24 elders with gold crowns cast their crowns before the throne. 

·       Rev 6:2: The antichrist is on white horse, having a bow, and a crown given to him, went to conquer.  Assuming our interpretation is correct, this figure has an earned crown while Rev. 13:1 indicates he has royal crowns.

·       Rev 9:7: The locusts had crowns of something like gold.

·       Rev 12:1: The woman (Israel) had a "garland" of 12 stars.

·       Rev 14:14: Here is One like the Son of Man with a gold crown and a sickle.

Note the correct use of terms with respect to Christ.  In His revelation He wears many diadems because that is who He is: King of Kings!  But with respect to His earthly life, and the message of Hebrews, He learned obedience by the things He suffered (Heb. 5:8), He became High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek (Hb. 6:20), having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:9).