What do crowns symbolize? (Revelation 9:7)
And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
Revelation 9:7 - King James
⚪ False crowns of the Methodists, not born of the spirit
Rev. 9:7 [...]
And on their heada were as It were crowns like gold. — Those born of the spirit, changed from human conditions and made like the Lord, have received the very highest blessing, the "Crown of life", the Divine nature. Gold is a symbol of Divinity. To receive a crown of gold is to be born of the spirit. All old-time Methodists felt certain that they were "horn of the spirit" when converted, no begetting or quickening being necessary. But here is pointed out that these good people had "as-it-were" crowns instead of real ones.
And their faces were as the faces of men. — They were not "Born of the spirit" as they supposed.
Source : 🇺🇸 1917 - Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 7, The finished mystery, page 158 + Cover
⚫ True crowns of the anointed of the spirit of God
The symbolic locusts are royal warriors, as denoted by the goldlike crowns upon the locusts’ heads; for by being anointed with God’s spirit they have been made “joint heirs with Christ” and have been assigned a crown and throne in Christ’s kingdom of a thousand years.
Source : 🇺🇸 December 1, 1961, page 719 + Cover