Crowning Wisdom: Crown of Portugal

The crown or Portugal is characterised by eight rather boisterous arches which flatten out before connecting to the monde, upon which a cross stands. This, the crown of João VI, was last used in 1910 at the opening of the national parliament. The young and charismatic king, Manuel II, would be deposed later that year, seeking refuge in monarchical Britain. Curiously, no Portuguese monarch had worn a crown since 1646, when João IV consecrated all Portuguese crowns, and the land itself, to the Virgin Mary. Although this probably saved a few coronation day headaches, for golden crowns are not light weight, it was a subtle act of idolatry. Only Jesus Christ, King of kings, is worthy to receive our crowns, honours, territories, loves and hearts. We read of a wonderful scene in heaven in the fourth chapter of Revelation:

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honour 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 honour and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created.” vv9-11, New King James Version

Only Christ is the One to whom our crowns can be given; only Christ is the One to whom all crowns must be yielded. Offering them to another is an act of theft; refusing to bow to Him is an act of sheer pride and stupidity.