Hebrews 3:14, commentary and pictures

We are made sharers in Christ Himself and in all the rich graces He gives only if we hold the confidence first embraced through faith firm and steadfast to the end. That confidence is faith and trust in God and Christ, faith that works by love, confidence firmly established upon the Word of God taken just as it reads and upon His past leadings. Israel is the warning that unbelief forfeits the promise, for those who heard yet provoked were grieved by God forty years, fell in the wilderness, and could not enter His rest because of unbelief. Holding firm therefore requires lifelong perseverance in the race of faith, guarding daily against an evil heart of unbelief, sin's deceitfulness, and hardness of heart by hearing His voice today, encouraging one another, and mixing the gospel heard with faith. Those who so endure to the end receive the imperishable inheritance, the crown of life that does not fade, and a place with Christ on His throne.

Words and Wilderness Warning

Sharing in Christ is conditional on holding the beginning of confidence steadfast to the end, for Christ is as a son over His own house, whose house believers are if they hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. That holding is guarded by taking heed lest there be an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, by exhorting one another daily while it is called Today lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, and by hearing His voice today without hardening the heart as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wilderness. The same guard means knowing God's ways, following truth kept before believers, staying joined to God, cooperating with Him in hourly contact and conscious communion, working out of self into undying principles with less of self and more of Jesus, and mixing the preached gospel with faith.

Israel is the warning example, for some who came out of Egypt by Moses heard yet provoked, though not all. God was grieved forty years with those who sinned, their carcasses fell in the wilderness, He swore those who believed not should not enter His rest because they erred in heart and knew not His ways, and they could not enter in because of unbelief, so unbelief shuts out from entering in. Their hearing without faith did not bring its benefit, proving believers must persevere in faith rather than fall into unbelief.

The same danger of failing through unbelief to enter into rest is set forth in the fourth chapter of Hebrews, where there is to be fear lest a promise being left of entering into His rest any should seem to come short of it. The gospel was preached to us as well as to them, but the word preached does not profit unless mixed with faith in those who hear it, so labor is needed to enter that rest and not fall after the same example of unbelief. The verse stands as a plain warning not to repeat Israel's obstinate refusal of God's warnings in persistent backsliding, unbelief and idolatry. The context adds that the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to soul and spirit and joints and marrow and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart, with every creature manifest and all things naked and opened to Him with whom we have to do. The great High Priest Jesus the Son of God has passed into the heavens, so profession must be held fast, for He can be touched with the feeling of infirmities, having been tempted in all points yet without sin, and approach can be made boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It was not God's good pleasure for Israel to wander so long in the wilderness, and He would have brought them immediately to the promised land if they had submitted and loved to be led by Him. Because they so often grieved Him, tempted Him, sinned, erred in heart and knew not His ways, He swore in His wrath they should not enter His rest, except two who wholly followed Him. Though the truth had been kept before them and again and again repeated, they did not follow its teachings and divorced themselves from God to follow the wisdom of men not under God's direction, so that all but two of the adults who left Egypt died in the wilderness under God's poured-out wrath for persistent backsliding, unbelief and idolatry. Noah's generation likewise lacked faith and was destroyed because they would not hear and receive the word that could have saved them, showing that refusing God's word brings guilt and forfeits its saving benefit through unbelief, pride, selfishness and murmuring. While it is still called Today, Stephen must hear God's voice and not harden his heart, without delaying response to God's call, for the warning applies to his choice about joining God's truth-believing people, since postponing that choice risks losing the opportunity to follow Christ.

Meaning of Saving Confidence

The confidence to be held firm to the end is the confidence first embraced at the beginning through faith in Christ. It is faith and trust in God held firmly, faith that works through love and sanctifies the soul. It is confidence in the truth God has given, firmly established upon the Word of God taken just as it reads, and confidence in the past leadings of God. To abandon that confidence in the truth for novel teachings puts steadfast sharing in Christ at risk, while those who hold it remain a power for good and those with an itching desire to originate something new go into strange doctrines and largely destroy their influence.

That confidence must rest on God leading and on wisdom received from Him to trade with His talents, not on numbers or the apparent capabilities of men or the arm of flesh. It rests on Christ's victory over temptation as a human being and His promise of a share in His throne to overcomers, and on the Lord's leading with evidence of His power confirming the truth, which must not be surrendered to the enemy. It is not to rest on people who lack vital connection with God, or on any man's learning or rank, but to look to God rather than to people in trust of His love and sovereign rule, with the Holy Spirit's efficiency accompanying each act. Steadfast confidence is shown through living connection with Christ, continuing in His love and faithful service, with trials driving deeper search of Scripture and reliance on God.

Through Christ's provision believers can share in His divine nature, escape the world's corruption, and receive divine power to resist temptation as He did. Because Jesus resisted Satan's temptations He can help people resist.

Being made partakers of Christ means sharing Christ Himself and all the rich graces He is willing to give. It means being made one with Christ by believing and practicing His words, for the knowledge from God is the bread of life and as His words are believed and practiced the current of spiritual life thrills the soul. It means sharing His self-sacrifice here in this life with assurance of sharing all its benefits in the future immortal life. It means following where He leads in denying self and taking up the cross and sharing His humiliation and suffering as preparation for sharing His glory, made possible because He left His honor and glory to join divinity to humanity.

Holding confidence steadfast requires holding with all the tenacity of being to what has been received in conformity to God's will, so that no man takes the crown. It means not wavering like a wave of the sea, not being deceived by sophistries and false sentiments, and not being easily moved even after knowing the truth for years. Confidence is to increase every day by living the truth, and such steadfastness guards against deceptive powers in the last days. It must be confirmed and sustained through prayer and perseverance rather than waiting for feeling to impel action, with bracing power that those without the first experience in God's work lack, though there is much to strengthen it.

Holding firm requires self-examination through the Word that points out defects of mind and thoughts and actions God will not sanction, so a person can know whether in the faith. This self-examination is not only a safeguard but a duty, done not by individual choice and inclinations but with a heart desiring to be improved and set in order so wrongs are corrected.

Steadfast Endurance to End

Conversion does not accomplish or complete salvation, for the converted still have a race to run with no release from the warfare. Sharing in Christ's self-sacrifice here in this life carries assurance of sharing all its benefits in the future immortal life only on holding the beginning of confidence steadfast to the end. That holding fast requires fighting the good fight of faith, pressing forward to the mark for the prize, and enduring temptation with Christ's help through a lifelong struggle of faith. It requires refusing to feel forsaken, looking to Christ who endured opposition from sinners so as not to grow weary and faint in mind, and waiting in perfect patience for help. Remaining firm in initial confidence to life's end calls for lifelong untiring effort valuing heaven above earth, keeping God in the heart with courage and trust in the Helper, and those who so persevere will be reunited in God's family when the redeemed are gathered home.

That lifelong battle must be carried forward with determined energy proportionate to the value of eternal life, because immense interests are involved. It requires striving most earnestly as laborers together with Christ and constantly beholding Christ, doing one's best as a Christian and training for growth, expansion and nobility of character. Without that earnest striving and beholding there is danger of failing to hold firm, and this means maintaining Christian integrity and purity throughout a lifelong struggle with earnest effort because eternal life is at stake. Holding is with all the tenacity of being to what has been received, in conformity to God's will, so that no man takes the crown. Sharing in Christ requires holding firmly to confidence in God and His truth through to the end in lifelong persevering effort, yet the victory is certain for those who persevere.

Holding firm to the end brings the crown that no man is to take, the crown of life that does not fade to those who stand fast despite obstacles and besetting sins. Those who hold fast the faith firm to the end will be overcomers and will receive the crown of life, with Christ's promise to overcomers of a place with Him on His throne. All who hold the beginning of confidence firm to the end will have eternal righteousness, which is the reconciliation for iniquity and everlasting righteousness the Messiah brought in through His sacrifice. The cross of Calvary is the great center making His sacrifice effectual, bringing everlasting deliverance to all who walk after Christ in separation from the world and give positive evidence of it. Eternal destiny is determined by the life lived in obedience and overcoming, so no one can be declared finally saved beforehand, and those who depart from the principles giving character to the truth need converting as verily as the hardened sinner.

The need to hold firm is especially urgent in the shaking and testing of God's people, when faith must not give way to unbelief or departure from God. Being made partakers of Christ depends on holding the beginning of confidence steadfast to the end, which is always difficult and becomes harder when hidden influences constantly work to bring in another spirit on Satan's side. In the absence of persecution those who appear sound drift into the ranks but go out when persecution arises, giving force in the crisis to specious reasons that had already influenced their minds, for varied snares are prepared for varied minds. When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than anticipated will fail to hold fast and give heed to seducing spirits. Those who so fail prove in strait places they are not living branches of the True Vine, bearing no fruit and taken away by the husbandman, while doubts spoken and nurtured harden and draw away from Christ.

The last days bring deceptive powers to bear, with seductive spirits and demonic teachings and false claims to a new foundation arising even within the church. Steadfastness then means remaining firm in the message without changing it, holding fast to truth already confirmed by the Holy Spirit and to confidence firmly established upon the Word taken just as it reads. It means not wavering like a wave of the sea, not being deceived by sophistries and false sentiments, and not being easily moved even after knowing truth for years, with confidence increasing every day by living the truth. Living faith in the Lord and obedience to His commands enable believers to overcome evil and stand firm in the final conflict, without which even great strength cannot avail, and prayer is safety therein.

The verse lifts a danger signal calling those who had an experience in the beginning of the work of the first and second and third angels' messages to hold fast the beginning of confidence steadfast to the end. Being made partakers of Christ depends on keeping that beginning steadfast to the end, and believers are not safe apart from enduring in it. Those who once believed but lost faith failed at this point of holding firm, and some are now failing to remain steadfast in that confidence.

This call to keep faith steadfast applies to believers in every age and especially to those living when the end of all things is near, through trial and affliction. Sharing in Christ depends on holding firmly to faith through the end, rejoicing in sure hope of eternal inheritance and salvation to be revealed at His appearing. Endurance is necessary for salvation, and faithful persistence in doing good leads to the final reward. Security must not be treated as reason to live at ease, for believers must remain watchful and prayerful since they will be tested and may otherwise fail.

Guarding Against Unbelief Hardening

Sharing in Christ depends on holding firmly to the confidence first embraced all the way to the end, and that steadfastness guards against unbelief and turning away from the living God. Unbelief and sin weaken spiritual life, deceive and harden the heart, and lead away from God, while repentance and continued faithfulness preserve union with Christ. Believers must therefore hear God's voice today without hardening the heart, know God's ways, follow truth kept before them, stay joined to God, and exhort one another daily while it is called Today lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Israel is the warning, for fathers who tempted God, sinned and believed not fell in the wilderness and were sworn not to enter His rest, proving unbelief shuts out from rest and destroys confidence in the Son of God.

Holding confidence means cherishing faith, talking faith and acting faith under all circumstances, with no encouragement given for unbelief. It forbids an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, suspicious suggestions, doubt, distrust, murmuring, complaining, judging brethren, putting human constructions on their movements, magnifying difficulties into insurmountable obstacles, and cherishing doubts, criticisms and complaints that sow unbelief, leaven others and let the golden opportunity pass by. This especially reproves those in responsible positions who distrust God when appearances are not propitious, and during the shaking and testing doubts spoken and nurtured must not be allowed to harden people and draw them away from Christ. The history of ancient Israel in the wilderness was written for admonition of those living in the last days on the borders of the heavenly Canaan, so God's people must not repeat the sin of the unfaithful spies.

Turning from Christ the Leader to counsel that opposes God and His people is departure from faithful connection, and God requires His people to trust in Him alone rather than receive help from those who do not serve Him or rely on human judgment and a person's suggestions instead of guidance from God and His Word. It was not God's good pleasure for Israel to wander so long, for He would have brought them immediately to the promised land if they had submitted and loved to be led by Him, but because they so often grieved Him He swore in wrath they should not enter His rest except two who wholly followed Him. Fixation on disputes over matters God did not make tests deepens failure to hold confidence, separating people from Christ and one another and destroying unity and love. In Sardis some who had heard John the Baptist with conviction or received truth from Christ's teaching and once rejoiced in ardent faith forsook rejoicing faith, lost first love and became without spiritual strength as men without faith, quibbling over non-essentials till differences became as mountains, a danger repeated when the Galatian law question at the Minneapolis Conference is revived.

The gospel preached does not profit unless mixed with faith in those who hear it, for some who came out of Egypt by Moses heard yet provoked, God was grieved forty years with those who sinned whose carcasses fell in the wilderness, and they could not enter in because of unbelief. Israel heard Christ's word but failed to receive it with faith through unbelief, pride, selfishness and murmuring, and Noah's generation likewise lacked faith and was destroyed because they would not hear and receive the word that could have saved them, showing refusing God's word brings guilt and forfeits its saving benefit. Holding firm therefore requires cooperating with God, living in hourly contact and conscious communion with Him, working out of self into undying principles with less of self and more of Jesus, and using, practicing, trusting, receiving and appropriating the Word soberly and meekly to be made perfect in Him who is righteousness and wise unto salvation. That faith moves God's people to work as never before with every power and talent in cooperation with Christ in saving souls, watching for souls as those who must give account and not turning back to Egypt in unbelief.

Those who heed warnings, confess and put away sins and remain loyal will discern Satan's miracle-working power, while patience in doing God's will, living by faith without drawing back, obedience that writes names in the Lamb's book of life, and daily overcoming through the Holy Spirit's instruction bring great recompense of reward, for in keeping the commandments there is great reward. Even one in great peril must not cast away confidence nor harden the heart as in the wilderness temptation, and any man however high who does wrong in spirit, word or act must repent and remove every stumbling block placed before others, for the Lord will receive all who turn from evil with sincere desire to do His will. Response is urgent while it is called Today, for now is the time to hear the Lord's voice, turn fully to Him and receive mercy and abundant pardon, repenting while Today lasts and not hardening the heart or persisting in resisting the Spirit. He may come suddenly and find the unready, He that shall come will come and will not tarry, there will be no second probation, and refusing invitations or persisting in disobedience risks hardening until mercy's final invitation has passed, leaving people to the results of their own course. Rejecting the Holy Spirit's earlier convincing impressions as trustworthy leaves later evidence unable to reach the mind, because Satan has perverted its discernment, showing why beginning confidence must be held.

Loyalty to Present Truth

To hold firm is to stand as firm as a rock to the principles, truths, pillars, waymarks and present truth entrusted after the passing of the time to the faithful followers and workers who had part from the beginning in giving the first and second angels' messages. It is to work together with God in binding up the testimony and sealing the law among disciples, to speak from personal experience of the truths entrusted and of the waymarks that pointed out the right path, and never to let faith change to infidelity nor the banner of the third angel be taken from the hands. It is to rehearse the history of the past on entering the closing work, to proclaim every truth given for the last days and strengthen every pillar established, to never step off the foundation God established, and to never enter any new organization, since that would be apostasy from the truth. Drifting from foundation principles is easy and is not pleasing to the Lord, and failing to hold fast puts a person in great danger of losing part in Christ. In the long continued conflict between truth and error yet in progress, where past things will be repeated, old controversies revived, and new theories continually arise, those who believed prophecy and fulfilled it by proclaiming the first, second, and third angels' messages know where they stand with an experience more precious than gold and are to keep that first confidence firm to the end.

God's words proclaimed through servants lead His people out of the world step by step into the clear light of present truth, with lips touched with holy fire and divine utterance confirming the message as genuine. Those who would tear down its foundation are not to be accepted as teachers and leaders. Keeping this trust calls for renewal of the straight testimony borne in years past and a revival of spiritual life from torpid apparent death.

Holding firm means refusing to tear away foundations laid at the beginning by prayerful study of the Word and by revelation and continuing to build on them. It means rejecting supposed new ways, new faiths, and new principles as great deception, because no other foundation can be laid and any building not founded upon the Rock will soon fall. It means standing firm like the first disciples against sayings of men, false theories, and sophistries designed to divert minds from preparing a people to stand in these last days and from the perils and duties of the hour. It means holding aloft the banner of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, refusing to dilute truth with sophistry and false theory, refusing to let the foundation be torn down or the pattern spoiled, and allowing no thread of pantheism or human devising to be woven in.

It means rejecting the strain of spiritualism coming in with fanciful, charming theories, such as that congenial men and women will be united in the future life to love through eternity, and leaving every false issue alone. It means refusing fanciful theories that undermine faith and turn affection from those who should be loved and cherished, and doing the work of sowing truth most carefully because the sowing is for eternity. It means casting sophistries out of the mind and being cleansed from seductive, bewitching, misleading sentiments mingling truth and error in Living Temple, learning to distinguish true threads from false, resting faith on a high, holy, substantial foundation, and separating entirely from scientific theories and fanciful presentations. Those who gave place to such views need to be taught the first principles of truth, to break the spell, become teachable, and through humility and reconversion be adopted again into God's family and escape Satan's snare. Preaching the Word as in the past, warning others to leave spiritualistic sophistries alone, declaring Christ's Word as His witnesses and sounding the last warning message belong with following the marked way with promise of the Spirit's presence and holy angels accompanying.

It requires remaining forever a peculiar people and standing as representatives of God and of His special message of truth in the last days of earth's history. It requires holding fast the seventh-day Sabbath and the other phases of present truth that make God's people peculiar, standing by the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus without letting faith fail. It requires refusing to link up with unbelievers or to declare institutional work undenominational, and keeping institutions established as agencies for proclaiming the message true to its principles. It means staying strictly denominational and continuing without qualification or compromise to believe the same truths believed when the Sanitarium and the College in Battle Creek were established, declaring in plain unmistakable language before the world what is believed in order to keep the influence God intends. To depart from this distinct stand in order to gain something is to depart from the Lord, and Jews and Gentiles enter Christ's spiritual fold and alone share the covenant of Exodus 31:16-17 where the Sabbath is a perpetual sign by keeping initial confidence firm to the end.

It means holding fast the light God has given through His Word for half a century showing just where His people stand in prophecy. It means holding the faith in the unfolding of the prophecies that made Seventh-day Adventists, standing with loins girt about with truth and the whole armor on against theories continually arising to divert the mind and unsettle faith, with light strengthening rather than weakening confidence in the past path. Both those with personal experience in the prophecies and those without are to hold the message of truth with the same confidence. It means being an overcomer through Christ's love against masters of sophistry of the last days, not letting loose a single peg or moving a single pillar God established, not departing from the faith, not letting go what was known when God was present and helped, and not letting any man's lips sway from the real foundation of truth. It means taking position on the Lord's side as His property and blood-bought heritage and refusing to deny the faith and crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame.

Being converted to men rather than to Jesus gives only a feeble hold, so when preaching ministers apostatize those whose faith was no higher follow them, leave the Redeemer, and deny the truth. Many depart from faith once professed by giving heed to seducing spirits, proving they were never really converted to the truth, while those who hold fast firm unto the end will be overcomers and receive the crown of life. Confidence can be placed in no man however learned or elevated unless he holds the beginning of confidence firm unto the end, for learning and rank give no security without steadfast perseverance. Solomon proves this, for though thrice called beloved and entrusted with building the temple he allied with idolatrous nations, bound himself to heathen wives, forsook God's temple and built groves to idols.

Those who keep first confidence firm to the end will be wide-awake during the time the third angel's message is proclaimed with great power in the loud cry. Then the church, aided by the providential interpositions of her exalted Lord, will diffuse the knowledge of salvation so abundantly that light reaches every city and town and fills the earth, with the renewing Spirit crowning intensely active work so the light of present truth flashes everywhere. Those who became partakers at the beginning must hold fast to have part in that grand work, going out with unwavering faith to give the last warning as a burning lamp without letting faith waver.

Steadfastness means staying focused on the third angel's message and faithfully repeating truth line upon line and precept upon precept rather than being distracted by unessential questions, theories and problems. It means keeping truth pure and refusing to surrender any vital point, with the Word taken into life like food sustaining faith so truth stands firm against false theories. It means standing on the platform of truth as given in the third angel's message and holding fast to the end the evidences that confirmed truth in righteousness, proclaiming them over and over until earth's close because holding fast is the only hope.

Blessings and Obedient Life

Those who hold firm receive all Christ's benefits, becoming heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ with an imperishable inheritance reserved in heaven kept by God's power for salvation, receiving the treasure laid up in heaven when all are rewarded according to works, having God's power placed at the disposal of the church and available to everyone who keeps firm confidence to the end, and by coming to Christ, gladly wearing His yoke of restraint and finding rest having haughty self-sufficiency expelled for Christ's meekness and lowliness, with Christ controlling every part of the being and making the person a power for good. That holding means maintaining Christian integrity and purity throughout a lifelong struggle with earnest effort because eternal life is at stake, and in this application steadfast confidence accompanies faithfully sharing the light of truth and advancing with the third angel's message.

Not one sin has yet been blotted out from the book of God, and blotting out comes only through the faith of the believer who holds the beginning of confidence firm unto the end. Hope rests in anticipation of the full and entire atonement made, which is efficacious when sin is put away, and abiding in Christ is shown by turning from sin and doing righteousness.

Holding firm is shown in obedience, in keeping God's commands and obeying every precept so that Christ's life is revealed, with the gospel not abolishing the law but as the law practiced demanding perfect obedience. Jews and Gentiles may enter Christ's spiritual fold, and God receives those who keep initial confidence firm to the end, who alone share in the covenant identified in Exodus 31:16-17 where the Sabbath is a perpetual sign between God and His people. Those who believe the truth and obey God's commandments find refuge in Christ and protection of His care while remaining on God's side and under His law, with God faithful to fulfill His covenant even through long and severe trials, and holding firm as obedience writes names in the Lamb's book of life, with not casting confidence away bringing great recompense of reward, for in keeping the commandments there is great reward, and the perfect law that converts the soul when obeyed through sharing the divine nature enabling an example of perfect obedience that magnifies the only true and living God whose law is holy and just and perfect.

It is shown in honoring Christ's name in spirit, word and deportment and revealing His character and grace daily in thought, word and deed as evidence of the power of the truth, under obligation for all who answer His invitation. Those claiming to be Christians yet not revealing the virtues of Christ's character fail to hold confidence firm, bear witness against the Saviour, dishonor Him, put Him to open shame, and their profession is a fraud.

It is shown in continuing to follow Christ's command to love one another and laboring for one another's highest good, in loyalty to the truth with loving active concern for the good of fellow believers, in guarding against the enemy's attacks and maintaining unity and harmony. Keeping confidence calls for trust in Christ with love, patience and forbearance toward others as faith that works through love and sanctifies the soul, and for awaking out of sleep to carry the torch of truth into dark places instead of criticizing others by the enemy's methods, requiring severe criticism of one's own words and motives and uprooting envy, malice, hatred and unbelief from the garden of the soul and supplying their place with love, patience, forbearance, kindness, benevolence, tenderheartedness and meekness.

Through Christ's intercession and cleansing blood believers receive redemption and are accepted in Him, with God's image renewed in mind, heart and character making them like Christ and giving His wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Holding firm includes putting away evil and overcoming in preparation to be vindicated at Christ's second appearing, with walking in obedience and overcoming as marks of holding fast and Christ promising overcomers a place with Him on His throne. A person's eternal destiny is determined by the life lived so no one can declare another finally saved beforehand, alongside the contrast between trusting human strength and trusting the Lord and that God searches the heart and repays each according to conduct.

In perplexities, obstacles and apparent failures holding confidence means meeting them with determination to walk in the light shining on the pathway, perseveringly struggling against seemingly insurmountable difficulties without failing or discouragement, receiving counsel humbly, refusing depression and refusing to murmur and complain in view of Christ humbling Himself and becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, with God highly exalting Him and the marvelous work wrought in our behalf. Continuing to trust God and the power of His Spirit rather than human strength enables workers to overcome, and as believers persevere God makes the way clear and brings the work to completion, with success through that persevering struggle bringing the greatest joy.

Steadfast believers bear a living testimony with convincing power leading many to the Lord even amid opposition to God's Word and imprisonment for refusing to desecrate the Sabbath. Remaining steadfast unites them with others who hold fast to the truths and principles of the faith. The Lord will be magnified by all who keep the beginning of confidence firm to the end, as those who sat in darkness see great light through the power of the gospel unto salvation, and by continuing in obedience become partakers of Christ and reveal His power to rescue from sin and vice.

God's righteousness and salvation become visible to the nations through those who hold firm, following Christ's example as He works through them, so they are called redeemed, holy, sought out and not forsaken, the redeemed people of the Lord.

Cleaving to Christ as personal Saviour and keeping first faith firm to the end means believing in Him and trusting Him constantly and implicitly with unswerving faith because of unmistakable evidence of His love and power, with safety depending on that personal trust strengthened by experience. It means clinging to Jesus instead of self, refusing unbelief and talk of weakness and discouragement, pressing toward a higher nobler life and completeness of character, acknowledging His goodness with praise and glory, living for God together with a believing family, and never losing eternity out of reckoning, so that even a sinner who sinned yet loves Jesus, is sorry for grieving infinite love, confesses shame and sorrow, looks to the cross, is convicted by the Holy Spirit and pardoned by Him who knows no sin will have no sin appear against him if he holds fast. Those who so cleave are comforted with everlasting arms around and underneath, cling closely to the Life-giver so no power can shake them off, grow daily in knowledge of God and Christ, win a crown of immortal life, hold without wavering through lifetime trials guided by God's counsel without being left or forsaken with thankful assurance in One who never forsakes or disappoints, keeping mind and heart stayed on God, standing as a rock to principles plainly revealed and looking to Jesus who knows every pang, and remaining firm in initial confidence to life's end with lifelong untiring effort valuing heaven above earth, keeping God in the heart with courage and trust in the Helper, to be reunited in God's family when the redeemed are gathered home even if not meeting again in this life.

Holding firm means standing free in the Lord with moral courage to stand firm for the truth and clear spiritual discernment under constant guard, refusing to be led away to receive fables, refusing to bring wood, hay and stubble to the foundation because it will be utterly consumed, remembering being bought at infinite price, refusing to be held in control by another man's mind or to fear differing with a superior. It forbids binding workers by multi-year contracts to associations or treating learners as owned body, soul and spirit even if without blame, since those entering such binding with human beings are not holding firm, and instead calls for remaining straight in true conversion engaged in united gospel and medical missionary work. This steadfastness is needed against Satan's deceptive power upon young and mature and those bearing large responsibilities whom the enemy seeks to fill with evil devisings and lead to change leaders, so physicians and others with important responsibilities especially must hold fast because dangers not now discerned will soon break upon them.

It means remaining faithful through severe trials and falsehoods even when former fellow workers turn against God's servants, with the Holy Spirit making falsehoods ineffectual. The faithful aged are not to be treated as useless or set aside, for God still has important work for them, and their experience of learning from Christ, accepting correction when wrong and returning to His path equips them to help others. God's representative men who trusted the Lord have held firm and will to the end, not making of no account the light given and honoring Him so He honors them, and such old experienced men permitted to live in perilous times are to be respected for their works' sake as witnesses voicing His words, catching first sound of command, obeying directions and giving the trumpet a certain sound to prepare for the great day.

Those who remain steadfast to the end will receive the mark of God in their foreheads, with safety in future perplexity, trouble and deception found in unity in the work God has given over which He alone acts as supervisor. By grace they remain steadfast to principles of truth to the end, refusing half-dead Christianity that cheers the world's selfish covetous ungodly false spirit, maintaining aggressive warfare against world, flesh and devil, diligent and fervent in serving the Lord, owning Christ alone as Master, looking to Him and receiving wisdom, preserving integrity while standing before God in meekness and contrition and representing Him to the world.

Keeping the faith first learned steady means looking to Jesus as pattern in character building, studying His life, comparing views with the Word, not misrepresenting Christ, never departing from the Lord's way, with faith working by love purifying the soul and striving toward God's standard, so as to stand on vantage ground before God clothed in Christ's righteousness and build a solid symmetrical character rather than weak and imperfect, instead of making the Word of no effect and leading souls from the safe path. It requires striving most earnestly as laborers together with Christ and constantly beholding Christ, without which there is danger of failing to hold firm, doing one's best as a Christian, training for growth, expansion and nobility of character, and not loading self with perplexities that muffle the trumpet, so the Lord seeing what is made of self can enrich with grace.

Drawing close to Jesus, watching and praying and living as in God's presence resists temptation and keeps purity, and when confidence is held firm God establishes the way, the grace begun is crowned with glory in His kingdom. That steadfast life bears fruits of the Spirit and crucifies fleshly desires. For the steward of God's goods confidence as faith and trust firmly held conditions eternal benefit: praying much not to be deceived, refusing impulse or pressure, and investing the Lord's means from conviction to advance God's glory in saving souls brings eternal benefit if confidence is so held fast.

Being made partakers proves itself in overcoming native selfishness and refusing underhand work for individual advantage, seen in how those connected with God's institutions treat sister institutions by placing their interests first instead of neglecting them for personal interests, standing faithful under pressure God permits to test them, and handling established centers as God's merchant houses where heaven's goods are deposited as sacred trusts to be traded upon so light and knowledge are imparted nigh and afar off.

Holding fast is not done by keeping oneself but by being kept by His power through faith, which calls for thankfulness, a sunshiny Christian life and constant praise and thanksgiving, and anxiety over souls who may not hold fast is met by committing them to God, for what is divinely real will endure and shine amid moral darkness because Christ's light shines upon it.

Steadfast holding comes not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts under the Captain's orders, with the whole armor of God and shield of faith, and living faith exercised in God's power makes believers invincible to stand in the evil day steadfast and immovable, bringing His army through the last conflict more than conquerors where vast armies and even angels could not help without faith, since overcoming rests not on faith in faith but on imparted power to exercise faith in God.

Keeping the soul in God's love by faith during the short time left to walk in Jesus' footsteps means staying confident to the end when misapprehended and alienated even by supposed friends, with motives misrepresented and losses, trials, self-denials, sufferings and labors unappreciated and disparaged. It means not expecting a better portion than Jesus had, serving with full purpose of heart without chafed spirit over what cannot be helped, and refusing to ponder supposed neglect, because Satan uses such pondering to weaken and despond by magnifying into something great words and deeds done with no intent to grieve.

Holding the beginning of confidence firm while meeting seducing spirits and being tried on every point means refusing plausible theories without foundation in the Word, refusing to weaken faith in truth received point by point that placed feet in the narrow path of holiness, refusing to remove landmarks established by the Spirit's witness, letting the written Word decide all questions and testing even inward claims of guidance by Thus saith the Lord, since the Spirit always leads to the written Word with its duties bound to promises.

Holding confidence firm makes the church God's agency for proclaiming truth, keeping the light undimmed amid error's darkness, opening the Word to high and low, loyal and obedient to all commandments, filled with divine power so no power can stand against her any more than chaff can resist the whirlwind, bringing the dawn of a bright day when she puts on Christ's righteousness and withdraws from alliance with the world.

Steadfastness belongs with submitting to Christ's training, being illuminated and led by supreme wisdom with spiritual concerns central for physicians in living connection with Jesus, and with allowing nothing but truth to occupy the mind so God's people stand true and loyal in a revolted world bearing His seal and signature, giving proof of personal experience of salvation through faith in a personal God and Saviour with great facts revealed and verified.

An experiential knowledge of Christ as the Way, Truth and Life is eternal life to the receiver, turning weak feeble experience into strength, and reports and opposition are no reason to abandon confidence, with those holding firmly victorious. Remaining loyal to principles of truth rather than joining the world's selfishness, covetousness, ungodliness or falsehood is part of an active Christlike life of service made possible by grace, with confidence grounded in believing Christ's words through to the end for everlasting salvation, keeping courage and faith through present weakness and toil with confidence God will help, for the time is short.

Failing to remain steadfast leaves believers vulnerable to Satan's power working through deceptive influences and in danger of becoming channels for him, building on worthless foundation as wood, hay and stubble which fire consumes at the last day, living as though without faith, and being shaped by the world instead of remaining wholehearted, so steadfast wholehearted faith is needed, with faithful work blessed by God still securing no final reward apart from perseverance to the end.

The verse tests partaking of Christ and questions whether those joining disobedience hold confidence firm, calling for reviving and standing in truth, for responding to God in action not merely words, and for daily overcoming through the Spirit's instruction where confession, especially by leaders, warns others against repeating error, though one determined to depart cannot be helped by reasoning.

Awaking out of sleep to carry truth's torch into dark places instead of criticizing others by the enemy's methods, and remaining loyal to principles while tested, trusting God, moving steadily forward unselfishly with humble dependence, committing present and future to His providence, proclaiming the messages without despising or fearing enemies, refusing contractual binding or counsel union with unbelievers on vital interests while treating the disloyal with kindness, shows blessings come not by worthiness but by Christ's worthiness received through faith in God's abounding grace.

Safety lies in continuing in faithful service rather than serving half-heartedly amid last-days perils, looking toward Christ's coming without wavering as those represented in heavenly courts, and persevering through suffering in contrast with those who departed from the faith.

Even men in responsible positions, ministers, physicians with great responsibilities, and those long tested can fall suddenly unprepared to close life's account with joy if unguarded, for temptations come to every soul through deceptive arts and unsuspected agencies as Satan plays for every soul, so the soul must be kept guardedly with holy perfect trust, the heart kept diligently at every point of attack, and physicians especially must stand firm in truth as it is in Jesus with dangers soon to break upon them.

The truth already confirmed by the Holy Spirit and settled faith confirmed by experience of God's power must be held without surrender to the enemy despite deceptive teachings and evil influences within the church, resting on the Lord's leading and evidence of power confirming the truth.

Steadfast confidence means relying on God and the Holy Spirit rather than people, with the Spirit's efficiency accompanying each act, and looking to God rather than people in trust of His love and sovereign rule.

God's people must not repeat the sin of the unfaithful spies by magnifying difficulties, cherishing doubts, criticisms and complaints and sowing unbelief, and professing Christians must heed the warning not to fall after Israel's unbelief by continuing in it, with the history written for those on the borders of the heavenly Canaan.

Holding firm gives thankful assurance in One who never forsakes or disappoints, keeping mind and heart stayed on God, standing as a rock to principles plainly revealed, and looking to Jesus who knows every pang. Remaining firm in initial confidence to life's end calls for lifelong untiring effort valuing heaven above earth, keeping God in the heart with courage and trust in the Helper. Those who hold fast lay hold by faith on Him who gave His life and receive the reward of faith. Keeping confidence firm undimmed lets its light shine amid error while making God's Word known in every station, and holding the words of power that brought His people point by point into present truth.

God's workers are to persevere through every test and darkness without despondency, trusting God to renew strength and supply wisdom, help and power to carry out His purposes even amid forbidding circumstances. The confidence begun through Christ must be held steadfast, resting on His victory over temptation as a human being and promise of a share in His throne to overcomers, through which believers share His divine nature, escape corruption and receive power to resist as He did. Steadfast confidence to the end is joined to holding the beginning of confidence in the truth God has given, and those who keep it can be a power for good while the itching desire to originate something new leads to strange doctrines destroying influence. Abandoning confidence in truth given for novel teachings puts steadfastness at risk.

Believers must hold confidence firm to the end, remaining straight and understandingly engaged in mission rather than binding learners to human leaders. They must remain firm in first trust by reviving sacred truths that called them out, proclaiming as special the messages given through John, and giving no place to doctrines out of harmony with present truth. Holding firm means being true to principles of faith, refusing to change truth for error, and declaring belief plainly to keep God-intended influence, staying strictly denominational as when the Sanitarium and College were established.

The verse is applied as a call to receive counsel humbly and remain steadfast rather than become discouraged, and not to let faith weaken but to trust God. Sharing in Christ and receiving treasures He freely gives are joined to holding confidence firmly, shown through living connection, continuing in His love and faithful service, with trials driving deeper Scripture search and reliance on God. The verse means hearing His voice today without hardening as in the provocation, taking heed, exhorting daily, cooperating with God and mixing the gospel with faith so as not to come short of rest, living in hourly contact with less of self and more of Jesus. Sharing in Christ depends on holding firmly to confidence begun, with endurance necessary for salvation and faithful persistence in doing good leading to reward, warning against treating security as reason to live at ease without watchfulness and prayer.

The verse gives warning sounding down to our time that God's revealed Word must not be misinterpreted, misapplied or despised as with the ancient people entrusted with oracles, when some having heard did provoke though not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. It is a charge to those who received knowledge of truth and profess belief to keep starting confidence firm to the end. God desires believers to remain firm in first confidence in Christ steadily to the end, rejoicing in sure hope of eternal inheritance and salvation to be revealed at His appearing, especially as the end draws near. Believers share in Christ as they hold confidence firm, and abiding is shown by turning from sin and doing righteousness. They must keep original confidence firm, for failure brings loss of spiritual strength and living as though without faith, deepened by fixation on disputes God did not make tests. Some are failing to remain steadfast in that confidence. Being partakers depends on keeping firm confidence to the end.

The confidence to be held is faith and trust firmly held, conditioning eternal benefit for stewards who pray not to be deceived and invest means to save souls. Everyone with Christ abiding receives grace, grows in graces, and represents His integrity, purity, holiness and noble spirit, with victory certain through lifelong perseverance. Those who so keep faith will gain eternal interests, even salvation of the soul, and see the King in glory, remaining hopeful and cheerful rather than mourning, sober and watchful in prayer, firm in pure integrity and confidence in Jesus, drawing daily supply from God's inexhaustible resources, sharing Christ Himself and all rich graces He gives to those who by patient continuance seek glory, honor and immortality with energy proportionate to eternal life. The Lord will receive all who turn from evil with sincere desire to do His will, requiring even the highly placed who do wrong in spirit, word or act to repent and remove every stumbling block placed before others. The Lord will be magnified by all who keep beginning confidence firm, as those in darkness see great light through the gospel and by obedience become partakers revealing His rescuing power. Believers must stand fast despite obstacles and besetting sins, with steadfastness leading to the unfading crown of life.

Sharing in Christ is joined to holding the beginning of confidence firm to the end even while truth shines amid error and the church faces opposition. Holding firm means remaining steadfast in true faith against strange doctrines that bring dissension, confusion, and departure from the faith. That steadfastness includes keeping the truth pure and refusing to surrender any vital point, with the Word taken into the life as food sustaining faith so truth stands firm against false theories. It means remaining steadfast in present truth by giving the third angel's message rather than being distracted by unessential theories, teaching the truth repeatedly line upon line and precept upon precept. Steadfastness is needed when false theories and claims to a new foundation arise, as the first disciples had to stand firm amid the sayings of men.

Holding firm requires holding the confidence first received without changing the message amid seducing spirits and demonic teachings arising within the church. It requires remaining steadfast despite deceptive teaching and the influence of those who have departed from the faith. It requires standing free and sound in faith when tempted by spiritualism and false views about God, leaving every false issue alone and refusing fanciful theories that undermine faith and turn affection from those to be loved and cherished, while sowing truth most carefully because the sowing is for eternity. It requires holding fast the light given through the Word for half a century showing where His people stand in prophecy, as overcomers through Christ's love against last-day sophistry, not loosening a peg or moving a pillar God established. It requires staying firm on foundation principles since drifting is easy and displeasing to the Lord and puts part in Christ in great danger.

That confidence is tied to the foundation God laid and to truths that led His people step by step out of the world into present truth, proclaimed by His servants and confirmed by divine utterance. It means remaining loyal to the foundation and present truth that led out of the world into clearer light. Those who would tear down that foundation are not to be accepted as teachers and leaders. Holding firm means remaining faithful to the truth that brought God's people out and led step by step into present truth, with God's word confirming it genuine. It means holding firmly to confidence in God and His truth through lifelong persevering effort, with the struggle lasting through life but victory certain.

The appeal to hold confidence firm is joined to living faith, prayer, and claiming promises as safety. Confidence begun is to be confirmed and held firm, with much to strengthen it. Believers are not safe apart from enduring steadfastly in it. Living faith and obedience enable overcoming evil and standing in the final conflict, without which even great strength cannot avail. Holding confidence through apparent failure with prayer and tears until God clears the way carries through perplexity, and then success brings great joy. Those relying on Christ's strength and striving for full development of character are enabled to remain steadfast.

Sharing in Christ depends on holding confidence and hope firm to the end against unbelief, sin's deceit, and hardening of the heart, by heeding His voice today. This guards against unbelief and turning away from the living God, with daily mutual encouragement keeping sin from deceiving and hardening. Trials test faithfulness, so discouragement is resisted by remembering past goodness and encouraging one another daily. In hardship trust in God is held rather than yielding to unbelief that weakens spiritual life and turns the heart away. Hearing Christ's voice without hardening as Israel did in the wilderness is required, since their unbelief kept them from entering rest. Israel's unbelief destroyed confidence in the Son and led away from the living God, warning against following that example.

Perseverance rather than allowing unbelief and sin to turn the heart away is required. Holding firmly to confidence first received and remaining faithful to the end places perseverance against unbelief and departure. Distractions and sin must not weaken faith or turn from God, but readiness to meet Christ is kept with mutual encouragement. Refusing unbelief and murmuring like Israel while practicing the Word, using it, trusting it, receiving and appropriating it, makes perfect in Him who is righteousness and gives experience wise unto salvation. Turning from the Leader to counsel opposing God and His people is departure from faithful connection.

Patience in doing God's will to receive the promise and living by faith without drawing back is required, not casting away confidence nor hardening as in the wilderness nor departing through unbelief, exhorting daily while it is called today, since He that shall come will come and confidence kept firm has great recompense. Holding tenaciously in conformity to God's will with all tenacity of being keeps what was received so none take the crown. Enduring temptation with Christ's help without feeling forsaken, looking to Him who endured opposition so as not to grow weary, and waiting in patience for help keeps initial trust firm. Holding confidence in past leadings through self-examination by the Word, which points out defects God will not sanction, shows whether in the faith, not by choice and inclination but with a heart to be improved and wrongs corrected.

Sharing in Christ is shown by holding firmly to confidence first had in Him, accepting every Bible truth, remaining loyal despite temptation or consequences, and not being ashamed of Him. Here faithfulness includes keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath and standing by the commandments and the faith of Jesus without failing faith despite confusion and opposition. Holding firm means remaining forever a peculiar people and representatives of God and His special last-day message, holding fast the Sabbath and other phases of present truth that make them peculiar, refusing to link with unbelievers or declare institutional work undenominational, keeping institutions true to principles, since departing to gain something is departing from the Lord. The living faithful keep holding the faith proclaimed in the first, second, and third angels' messages and carry the work forward even after early standard-bearers rest from labors while their works follow them. Remaining loyal to principles of truth while tested, moving steadily forward unselfishly with humble dependence, committing present and future to providence, proclaiming the first, second, and third angels' messages without despising or fearing enemies, refusing contractual binding or counsel union with unbelievers on vital interests while treating the disloyal with kindness, shows blessings come not by worthiness but by Christ's worthiness received through faith in abounding grace.