Friday, 10^th November 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: THE PATMOS LETTERS: HOLD FAST WHAT YOU HAVE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”– Revelation 3:2

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. How are you running your Christian race?

Everyone who has been called out of darkness, and has experienced the new birth in Christ Jesus will run the race that is set out before him. Everyone who has experienced regeneration in Christ Jesus will make it to heaven. It is however worth noting that, those who compete according to the rules and regulations set out for this race will be honored and will receive enduring crowns. Paul rightly highlights this when he says “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it (1 Cor 9:24).”

Amidst the present difficulties, the persecutions, and how uncomfortable the Christian race is, it is those who run per the rules who will obtain crowns.

The Christians in Smyrna and Philadelphia were the only ones out of the 7 Churches that did not receive a rebuke or reprimand from Christ Jesus. These 2 Churches, however, were those that endured intense persecution from Satan and the world. They serve as a powerful reminder of how authentic Christians are, is often revealed through trials and tribulations. They emphasize the necessity of unwavering commitment and the avoidance of compromise in our faith journey.

With their little power or strength, the Church in Philadelphia was commended by Christ Jesus for keeping His Word and not denying His name amidst intense persecution.

Jesus assures them of keeping them from a foretold trial that is coming on the whole world because they patiently endured during their time of persecution. He then reminds them, “I am coming soon” and encourages them to “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown (Rev 3:11).” Christ Jesus, in reminding the Christians in Philadelphia of the certainty of His return for the saints, is an assurance that whatever pain they were enduring has an end. In His assurance, He encourages them to “hold on fast to what you have.” They were distinct because they bore His name and they had His Word. There was a high tendency to abandon their Christian identity and the Word of their Commander (Christ Jesus) amid such persecution. It was holding fast to what they had that ensured that they competed according to the rules laid out for the Christian race.  

Jesus in His encouragement also cautions them to be conscious of the tendency to lose their crowns if they abandon who they are and His Word.

Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, the Christian journey or race is not about who finishes first as it pertains to athletics, but it is about how well Christians competed according to laid down regulations. You cannot begin the Christian journey only to abandon the Word of Christ Jesus and allow the world through persecution and the attacks of Satan to dilute your Christian identity. Jesus expects you to hold fast to His Word and not compromise who you are in him, no matter the prevailing conditions you find yourself in. Dearly beloved, run that you may obtain. God bless you.

 

FURTHER READING – Revelation 3:7-13

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.  

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How firm are you holding on to God’s Word and your Christian identity no matter the conditions you find yourself in?

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me to hold on fast to Your Word and not to deny Your name or my Christian identity through Your Holy Spirit who works in me to will and do of Your good pleasure in Christ Jesus so my works of service will be pleasing to You, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Ezra 5; Ezra 6; Hosea 7; Acts 25; Acts 26