The Signifcance Of The Coronation Anointing Screen

The recent Coronation of King Charles III was a display of great pageantry and tradition. We were disappointed with some changes in the ceremony, but we were pleased to see that, for the most part, the ancient traditions were kept.

One of these ancient traditions is the anointing of the sovereign with the holy anointing oil, which goes all the way back to the very beginning of the monarchy of ancient Israel (1 Samuel 9:16 and 10:1).

The anointing is an act of consecration and is the most sacred part of the ceremony. The sacred anointing oil which was used to anoint the king was made from olives harvested and grown on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, by order of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who officiated the coronation.

In an interview prior to the coronation, the archbishop said, “This demonstrates the deep historic link between the Coronation, the Bible and the Holy Land. From ancient kings through to the present day, monarchs have been anointed with oil from this sacred place. As we prepare to anoint The King and The Queen Consort, I pray that they would be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury poured the holy anointing oil from the Ampulla onto the Coronation Spoon. He then anointed the King by placing the anointing oil onto his hands, chest and head. It is the only part of the historic ceremony that has never been witnessed by guests or televised. It remains a private moment between the Sovereign and God.

To ensure privacy, a special screen was made.

It is not known whether or not those who designed and constructed the anointing screen for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III knew the significance of the screen, but the first thing this Kingdom preacher thought of when he saw it was a passage in Ezekiel and a passage in Matthew concerning the Kingdom of God . . . “In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.” Ezekiel 17:23-24

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matthew 13:31-32

King Charles III is a direct descendant of King David, to whom God solemnly promised a dynasty and a Throne that would endure forever. “I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.” Psalms 89:3-4

Just think of that! God made a covenant with David that his seed would be established forever, and that his throne would endure throughout all generations! He continues, and states emphatically . . . “My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” Psalms 89:28-37

Selah means, of course, think of that, meditate on this, don’t forget this. God made a covenant with David and promised him in the clearest of terms that his throne and his dynasty would endure forever. It matters not how faithful David’s descendants are. He swore by His Own holiness. People are covenant breakers, but God is a covenant keeper. He is faithful, and will always do what He said He would do. “I the Lord have spoken and have done it.” Ezekiel 17:24 Someday, and we believe it won’t be long, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is going to come and take that very Throne — also called the Throne of the LORD in 1 Chronicles 29:23 — unto Himself, for He is the rightful Heir, and He will rule over Israel forever. At that time the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ! “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:32-33

I was glad to have the opportunity to watch the Coronation of King Charles III. There had not been one for seventy years, so it was quite an event. But even more, I am looking forward to the Coronation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! The coming Kingdom of God is going to be absolutely glorious and there is nothing and no one in heaven or on earth that can stop it.

Amen! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!