Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Christ announces that His return is near and soon, and for that reason calls His people to keep a firm, tenacious hold on what they already possess until He comes, so that no one loses the reward. What is to be held is the word and word of patience, faith, hope and obedience to God's commandments, with refusal to yield any gained ground to human tradition, false sabbath worship, skepticism or deceptive new theories. The crown at stake is the promised reward to the faithful overcomer, a crown of glory, life and righteousness unto immortality and eternal life with Christ. That crown can still be lost through unfaithfulness, with its place and reward passing to another who remains faithful to bear witness. The charge was spoken by the holy and true One to Philadelphia, to those of little strength who have kept His word and not denied His name, and those who so keep the word of patience will be kept from the hour of temptation coming upon the whole world.
Speaker and Church Setting
The words are spoken by the One who is holy and true and has the key of David to open and shut, the faithful and true Witness whose words are verity and truth. They are God's own words with no human origin, given through the Spirit and through an angel from heaven to John on Patmos as what the Spirit says to the churches. The promise to come quickly and the command to hold fast what is held so that no one takes the crown belong to the message to Philadelphia with its open door, keeping from the hour of temptation, and making the overcomer a pillar in the temple of God with the name of God and of New Jerusalem written upon him. The quickness has stretched longer than finite minds expected, but the delay does not make the Speaker a deceiver, and the call is to get ready and be found waiting, watching, and loving His appearing. The message needs now to be carefully studied and understood as a word of warning against men arising with claims of new light whose theories would destroy faith in truths that have stood the test for half a century.
Its immediate setting is the message to Philadelphia, addressed to those who have a little strength and have kept the word and have not denied the name and have kept the word of patience. Before them is set an open door that no man can shut, and with the command to hold fast what they have stands the promise to keep them from the hour of temptation coming upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth. A door for service stands always open that no opposition can shut, and those who hold firmly to what they have will be kept from that worldwide hour. In these words there is no soothsaying, and joined to them are His words to Sardis about undefiled garments, walking with Him in white, overcoming, white raiment, and confession of the name before the Father and His angels.
The messages to the churches in Asia portray the state of things existing in the churches of the religious world today. The names of the churches are symbolic of the Christian church in different periods of the Christian era, the number seven indicates completeness and shows the messages extend to the end of time and are in force today, and the figures used are symbolic of the state of God's professed people as wheat developing among tares, with truth standing on its own eternal basis in contrast with error. Revelation 3:6-13, including holding on to what is possessed so no one takes the crown, is a special message commanded to be brought before churches living in transgression of the law of God as a matter of life or death and eternal interest, to be given to churches not obeying the truth, with those addressed to be found in every church. It is addressed not to the common sinner or to those making no profession of piety, but to professed Christian churches who must hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The messages in Revelation 1, 2, and 3 give the history of effort to bring dissension into the church, a difficulty that must still be met today, while the message of Revelation 3 is to be read as the highest education coming from God, teaching truly sanctified souls living the Word to be educated and taught of God in obedience to all the commandments pronounced from Sinai. One message after another to Ephesus, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea forms the last testimony about things seen and present and to come, given to confront selfishness that leaves destitute places unworked and to call for earnest effort to put workers into those fields.
The verse also stands with the messages to Laodicea, Sardis, and Thyatira, placing the soon coming within the message to Laodicea and underscoring with the appeal to awake to the responsibility of watchmen the urgency of readiness. The parallel instruction to the faithful in Thyatira is to hold fast until the coming, overcome, and keep the works to the end, with promise of authority over the nations and the morning star. It is applied to churches generally and to particular congregations such as Los Angeles, calling for awaking from sleep, for a deep work of grace in the heart, for giving the unconverted evidence by a believing life that the truth is of heavenly origin, and for doing the work God has given them to do. The whole chapter, including this verse, is a lesson to be heeded now by Seventh-day Adventists as the church described in the last part of Revelation 3, because the time is at hand, a most trying time is ahead, and perils thickening around will continue to increase until the close of this earth's history.
The whole third chapter, including this verse, must be read, understood, studied, and obeyed with determined purpose, leaving no excuse for a closed heart, since very soon all will wish they had heeded it. It is Christ's own warning to the churches for a present crisis, declaring His speedy coming and commanding keeping a firm hold on what is already possessed so the crown is not lost to another. Those bewildered by scientific problems and a presentation of good works mingled with false statements need to study the message given to John in the third chapter, and those faced with deceptive claims are warned to hold firmly to what they have so that no one takes their crown and are called to study Christ's message to the churches. Every word of Revelation 3 is to be studied by those watching for souls as those who must give an account, charging watchmen to guard every outpost and to answer in clear, decided tones under the Holy Spirit that the morning comes and also the night, calling ministers and doctors in every place to rouse themselves and not be stubborn in unbelief, lest by permitting a soul to pass into uncertainty or by leading souls wrong so they perish in the enemy's snare their blood be required at the watchmen's hands. Christ's warning to the whole chapter is to be read and obeyed in holding fast what has been received and heard, being watchful, strengthening the things which remain ready to die, and repenting, since excellent qualifications are neutralized like a dead fly in the ointment by self-love, self-deception, self-justification, hardness of heart, opinion-holding, self-exaltation, and grasping all for self while neglecting needy workers, with works weighed by One who never mistakes and found not perfect before God unless there is true conversion through crucifying self, correcting own defects, and giving up lukewarm self-righteousness and covetousness, lest He come as a thief in judgment.
Christ's Quick Coming
The verse announces that Christ is coming soon, quickly and near, and that nearness is both the reason and the consolation for holding firmly to what has been received and persevering in steadfast faithfulness. The warning is to hold fast what is already possessed so that no one takes the crown, which is the promised reward for faithfulness and overcoming. That steadfastness is linked with keeping His word through a coming time of trial and with the promises to those who overcome, calling for perseverance lest faithfulness be lost and the crown forfeited.
The soon coming is certain even though the wait has lasted longer than finite minds expected, and that protracted delay does not make the promise deceptive. The Speaker is the faithful and true Witness whose words are verity and truth, so those who repeat the soon coming are not deceivers. The verse sets no date or hour, but calls for getting ready and being found waiting, watching, and loving His appearing.
The coming is with power and great glory to meet the Lord in the clouds of heaven, after a dark night of waiting and trial. The coming morning begins when God's voice brings the day of rest and His light and glory rest on the saints, who then rise from glory to glory until Christ appears to give immortality and eternal life. In a little while He comes to give rest in the kingdom of God after present sorrows, troubles and a few days more of suffering, leading to an eternity of happiness and bliss where believers see Him as He is and are made like Him. Because He comes quickly, deliverance is soon to come, and those who hold fast to the truth in firm, unmoved faithfulness will soon enjoy the company of Jesus and angels.
That nearness rebukes indifference to the signs foretold and gives evidence that the end of the world is right upon us and the time is at hand. The whole chapter is a lesson to be heeded now, because a most trying time is ahead and thickening perils will continue to increase until the close of earth's history. It places the soon coming within urgent appeal to awake to the responsibility of watchmen, charging those watching for souls to guard every outpost and to answer in clear, decided tones under the Holy Spirit that the morning comes and also the night. Ministers and doctors in every place are to rouse themselves from stubborn unbelief, lest by letting a soul pass into uncertainty or leading souls wrong so they never extricate themselves from the enemy's snare and perish, their blood be required at the watchmen's hands.
Holding Fast Meaning
To hold fast is to keep a firm hold with all tenacity on what is already possessed, yielding no point already gained and maintaining faithfulness until Jesus comes. It is to hold the beginning of confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm and steadfast unto the end, in firm faith in conformity to the will of God, and by so holding believers are made partakers of Christ. The warning is given with the promise that Christ is coming quickly, as an admonition to faithfulness and overcoming in view of the final and fiercer conflict, for eternal life is found only through union with Christ. From now until Jesus comes the battle will wax fiercer and still fiercer, requiring meeting and resisting men regarded as very wise and learned but not spiritually wise unto salvation, with the only hope of saving the soul and helping others be saved being reception of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
What is to be held is little strength, His word, the word of His patience, faith, hope, and obedience to God's word and commandments, kept against an open door no man can shut and a worldwide hour of temptation to try earth-dwellers. Holding fast means making it the greatest desire to follow the Saviour submissively, trusting His promises rather than feelings, keeping the soul purified and the garments of character washed white in the blood of the Lamb, and continuing as an overcomer who will be kept from that hour and made a pillar in the temple of God. It means strict obedience to the Word of God rather than ceremonies, human doctrines, church tradition and commandments of men, for forsaking God's commandments for men's brings darkness and prepares for popery, and it means remaining faithful even under persecution or pressure to worship contrary to God's commandments.
For half a century God has been giving light through His Word showing where His people stand in prophecy, and that light and grace and power must be kept, including the message established by God's works in 1842, 1843 and 1844. To hold fast is to remember from what Source the truths of great importance came and how the Holy Spirit gave light and witnessed to them when advocated, refusing to let go established truth to the close of earth's history. It is to not let loose a single peg or move a single pillar God has established, to be steadfast in the faith given to His people, to stand when many depart from the faith, and to refuse any teaching from any man's lips that would sway from the real foundation of truth.
That steadfastness requires refusing for a moment skepticism, falsehood, human interpretations, fables, subtle theories, sophistry, masters of sophistry come to do away with the light, deceptive claims of new light, confusing explanations from the enemy, and scientific problems with presentation of good works mingled with false statements. Such theories if received would destroy faith in truths that have stood the test for half a century, spoil faith, confuse understanding, make faith in Christ of none effect, dull memory and understanding, bring unrest to the churches, cause loss of bearings, and draw away mind after mind imperceptibly until crown and future immortal life are forfeited. The loss comes through those departed from the faith imbuing others with a spirit that draws away from faith, so watchfulness, correct discernment of truth, and repentance for allowing the tempter to weaken confidence, for unbelief and for faults entered are required.
Holding fast is advancing and receiving saving grace day by day so its effect is saving, with God's blessing as strength, the price of watchfulness, and prayer in faith bringing rich blessing through the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is tied to keeping the word of patience as life work and study, to walking by faith with self-denial and daily cross-bearing, to grasping the Son of God by living faith and keep holding on, seeking victory after victory with no time to lose, and to striving with zeal, good courage and strength in Christ's love and grace. God gives day by day the strength needed to hold fast and keep the crown, and those who press to the mark while angels cooperate will have evidences of God's love, power and salvation, receiving brighter and stronger courage and light from Jesus even when they fear their burden is gone and the Lord has left them.
Crown Reward and Loss
The crown is the promised reward for faithfulness and overcoming, a crown of glory that does not fade, of life, of righteousness, of immortal glory and everlasting life. It is the prize of the race, requiring earnest effort and striving, imitating the life and teachings of Christ and keeping His example in view. It is laid up for the faithful overcomer who follows submissively with the greatest desire, persevering in faith toward the final victory of the Christian life. It is gained by those who reign with Christ in the heavenly courts through the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony, receiving His righteousness as their only hope of saving the soul and helping others be saved.
The race is not run in uncertainty and not fought as beating the air, because believers look to Jesus as author and finisher of faith and are changed from glory to glory by the Spirit. God deals nobly and does not require self-denial and strict spiritual discipline at the hazard of losing at last and missing the victor's crown. This is unlike ancient athletes who disciplined every physical power, endured severe training, and ran at risk of life for a perishable laurel without knowing if they would win. The winner runs to obtain an imperishable crown of immortal glory without looking behind or from side to side to see if fellow workers come out ahead, never off guard in a grand, holy, sacred work, refusing to let the doings and sayings of finite erring men and their interpretations of God-given work cause discouragement. Responsibility is to God who entrusted the work and shepherd charge, and He will render to every man according as his work shall be.
The crown can be taken and lost through unfaithfulness, and another can receive the place and reward forfeited. Those who refuse to bear witness may lose their place while faithful witnesses remain and take it, and when one apostatizes and gives up running the race for the crown of life another will take his place and win the crown he has lost. Yielding to family pressure, inducements, and opposition over Sabbath and truth, drawing back and casting off the Lord, lets another take the crown of eternal life away, so endurance under trial decides whether the name remains in the book of life. Becoming cold, spiritless, and worldly through mixing with the world in horse and land speculation and fraudulent speculation lets truth leak from the heart like water from a leaky vessel to ruin of soul, and if any are unfaithful others will come in to take their places and receive the reward they might have had. Persisting in stubbornness and self-will removes the Spirit so that another receives the intended crown, and continuing in deception, following a wrong path, breaking no satanic bands, keeping corrupting counselors, and by silence sanctioning work against the cause surely loses the crown. Holding fast therefore means learning with meekness and humility, working faithfully earnestly and humbly trusting not in human power but in the Lord God of Israel, doing the commandments to keep right to the tree of life, with aroused conscience turning to the Lord as the Way, the Truth, and the Life in purity and integrity before God in holiness, standing free, consecrated and faithful when earnest effort is most needed.
At the entrance to the holy city Jesus places crowns of glory on the overcomers, each bearing the recipient's new name and the inscription consecration to the Lord. Overcomers reign with Christ in the heavenly courts through the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony, wearing His righteousness through eternity. The royal diadem brings honor and glory, immortality, and life in the presence of Him who died to elevate and ennoble man, in contrast to the terrible pains of the second death. Holy angels lead God's faithful people as they press forward for the heavenly treasure, stirring them with zeal, and God gives day by day the strength needed to hold fast and keep the crown. The greatness of that crown shows how important it is to turn a soul from error to truth, and those instrumental in the salvation of others will be gratefully remembered by the ransomed and glorified, who will not regret any self-denying effort, persevering labor, patience, forbearance, and earnest yearning to save souls from being lost.
The prospect searches the heart at death, when everyone true to Christ will not worry about property but ask whether there is a crown of life, whether He will give that crown, whether the crown of victory will be placed upon the brow, whether the harp of gold will be placed in the hand, and whether when the trumpet sounds and the dead come forth to immortality he will be of that number. The promise belongs in the midst of the perils of the last days, in the evening of this earth's history, because the word of patience has been kept and there is keeping from the hour of temptation coming upon the whole world to try earth-dwellers. It gives comfort in bereavement to rejoice and not mourn without hope, knowing the dead in the Lord rest from their labors and are hid with Christ in God for a little moment until the indignation is past. Under the third angel's message some of the faithful hold the hope firmly unto the end with proof at every step even in death, dying in the Lord blessed and resting from their labors, and their crown remains secure.
The overcomer's crown placed upon the brow upon entering the kingdom is kept only by being converted and becoming as a little child. It requires making haste to correct errors of an impatient, tyrannical spirit grown with a lifetime, and being sanctified by the truth rather than merely loving the truth and standing as a defender of the faith. Without that conversion, a life of righteousness and benevolent acts is of no value and the crown is lost.
Prophecy and Final Trial
The message to the sixth church is the experience of those who proclaimed the coming in 1844, who passed through a time of severe trial until light on the ministry in the heavenly sanctuary made their position clear. That message belongs to the Advent movement and to the Sabbath reform, holding out future glory and reward while meeting opposition directed against keepers of the commandments.
Those who have kept the word of patience will be kept from the hour of temptation that comes upon all the world to try those who dwell on the earth, and holding firmly what is held secures the crown against loss. That keeping belongs amid the perils of the last days in the evening of this earth's history, with an open door of service that no opposition can shut for those who have a little strength, have not denied the name, and keep the word. Faithfulness therefore means remaining true to the word and refusing to deny Christ even under persecution and pressure to worship contrary to the commandments. The hour of temptation has now come and will continue to increase in force and intensity until the end is pronounced, so firm hold must be maintained through it that no one be robbed of the crown. In that setting the promise also gives comfort in bereavement to rejoice without hopeless mourning, for the dead in the Lord rest from labors, hidden with Christ for a little moment until the indignation is past.
The overcomer is made a pillar in the temple of God to go no more out, marked with the name of God and the name of the New Jerusalem. That promise stands with the open door no man can shut, keeping from the worldwide hour of trial, and belongs to what the Spirit says to the churches. With it is also given the new name of Christ, written upon the overcomer together with the name of God and the name of New Jerusalem. The same words stand joined to the call to watchfulness, undefiled garments, walking in white as worthy, and confession of the name before the Father and angels, and in them there is no soothsaying.
The passage belongs to the proclamation that combines the first and second messages and binds them up with the third, bringing down to the closing scenes of this earth's history. There the great last warfare is between two classes, those who keep the commandments of God and those who make void His law. The message from Revelation 3:6-13, including holding what is possessed so no one takes the crown, is commanded to be brought as a matter of life and death and eternal interest before churches living in transgression of the law. It is addressed not to the common sinner or to those making no profession, but to professed Christian churches who must hear, and those addressed will be found in every church.
From now until Jesus comes the battle will wax fiercer and still fiercer, and holding fast means yielding no point of truth already gained and maintaining faithfulness until He comes. That faithfulness will require meeting and resisting men regarded as very wise and learned who are not spiritually wise unto salvation. The only hope of saving the soul and helping others to be saved is receiving the righteousness of Jesus Christ, by which overcomers prevail through the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony to a crown of glory that fades not away and to reigning with Christ in the heavenly courts. The whole chapter is solemn warning from God about the last events, guarding against confusion of mind by evil fallen angels working in all deceivableness of unrighteousness that would if possible deceive the very elect, for the perils of the last days are upon us and confusion now may be of death unto death.
The revealed truth is being fulfilled today and must be read and understood. A heavenly Watcher marks words and deportment and reads the motives prompting action. There is no time now for idleness and indifference, but Christian character must be striven for and spiritual understanding cleansed, purified, sanctified, and ennobled. All are now taking sides, and it is time to choose blessing or curse by purifying the mind in obedience to the truth.
Links With Other Scriptures
The charge to hold fast stands alongside the charge given to the faithful in Thyatira to hold fast what they have until the coming, to overcome and to keep the works to the end. To those who so overcome and keep the works to the end belong authority over the nations and the morning star.
It stands with the words to Sardis to be watchful, to strengthen the things that remain and are ready to die, to remember what was received and heard, to hold it fast and to repent. It belongs with undefiled garments, with walking in white as worthy, with overcoming, with receiving white raiment, and with having the name confessed before the Father and His angels. Those who do not defile their garments are the faithful few who shall walk in white, while failure to watch and keep the garments leaves nakedness and shame exposed. The warning searches works that are not found perfect before God when self-love, self-deception, self-justification, hardness toward brethren, opinion-holding, self-exaltation, and grasping all for self neutralize excellent qualifications like a dead fly in the ointment, and the remedy is true conversion through crucifying self, correcting one's own defects, and giving up lukewarm self-righteousness and covetousness, lest the coming be in judgment as a thief.
Before the faithful who keep the word, do not deny the name, and keep the word of patience stands an open door that no one can shut. That door for service stands always open so that no opposition can shut it. Those who hold firmly to what they have, though having only a little strength, will be kept from the worldwide hour of temptation that comes to try earth-dwellers.
Holding fast means clinging to integrity and to confidence in God as a drowning person clings to the cable or rope thrown out to save him from the waves, so that no one takes the crown. It makes the Scriptures the supreme standard, lives in continual dependence on God, and cultivates personal holiness and personal religion that cannot be borrowed, since another's faith, hope, and repentance cannot save. It calls for a deeper experience through putting away trifling things, drawing near to God, and giving time wasted in useless talk to searching the Scriptures and earnest prayer, which gives vigor of mind, stability of character, and ability of a superior order. It produces Christian manhood with the soul uplifted to God and strong in His strength, sagacity with soundness of faith and doctrine, and unbending integrity like that of Joseph and Daniel who preserved unsullied purity in corrupt heathen courts. When Christ is formed within as the hope of glory, the life becomes well balanced and unchangeable, with the heart fixed in trust in God above influences that discourage, discompose, disturb, and ruffle minds not stayed on Him.
Its foundation is the baptismal covenant of going down into the water dead to the world in the names of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the three great powers in whom all heaven was given to the world, to be pleaded in trial and perplexity. By it believers take their stand on the Lord's side as His property and blood-bought heritage, for to deny the faith is to crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame, which none can afford. Doing the commandments keeps the right to the tree of life, and continuing to work faithfully, earnestly, and humbly in trust not in human power but in the Lord preserves the crown of eternal life. If truth already received is cast off under family pressure, inducement, or opposition, the crown can be lost and another will take the forfeited place and reward, so endurance under trial decides whether the name remains in the book of life.
Call to Faithful Living
Those watching for souls must study every word of the third chapter and guard every outpost, answering in clear decided tones under the Holy Spirit that the morning comes and also the night. Ministers and doctors in every place must rouse themselves from stubborn unbelief and not let a soul pass into the shadow of uncertainty or lead souls wrong until they cannot extricate themselves from the enemy's snare and perish confused, lest their blood be required at the watchmen's hands. Holding firmly keeps the crown of life that awaits in heaven where a personal living Saviour pleads in the heavenly sanctuary, and it requires doing duty in giving the final worldwide message of mercy rather than letting Satan distract by other concerns. The light given in 1842, 1843, and 1844 was established by God's workings and is to be held fast, and one message after another to Ephesus, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea confronts selfishness that leaves destitute unworked places and calls for earnest effort to put workers into those fields.
Believers, especially young men and young women, hold fast by staying on the right side and refusing to choose the wrong side. The wrong side is following the largest number as in Noah's day and following a world now mad under Satan's training and inspiration in sustaining and giving popularity to sin and transgression of God's law. Giving popularity to sin does not lessen the force of one principle of God, so remaining on the right side of obedience is of the highest consequence. Holding fast means keeping truth already possessed instead of hiding it to keep popularity, influence, and worldly advantage. Followers will not be popular but meek and lowly like their Master, who bore abuse, reproach, insult, hatred, mockery, betrayal, Gethsemane, the judgment hall, and death as a malefactor, and seeking the highest seat causes loss of the crown and ends in the lowest place.
Holding fast is dealing justly, loving mercy, walking humbly with God, learning in Christ's school, and partaking with Christ in suffering in order to share His glory in His kingdom. Those who so hold receive the seal of the living God, enter through the gates into the city of God, and are crowned with glory, honor, and immortality. The quick coming brings comfort to commandment keepers under oppression to remain faithful to what they have lest anyone take their crown. It is held by having religion in the home and by educating and training children to well-balanced characters that the Lord can approve, requiring thorough work in home life without which God's blessing cannot be expected. The Lord will work with human efforts, but He will not do the work He has given to be done.
The warning calls for watchfulness, strengthening things that remain ready to die, holding what has been received and heard, and repenting. Some warned have excellent qualifications, yet these are neutralized like a dead fly in ointment by self-love, self-deception, and self-justification for gross neglect to help brethren in God's service by encouraging words and deeds. Measured and weighed by One who never mistakes, their works are found not perfect before God, because hardness of heart toward one another, holding to opinion and self-exaltation, and grasping all for self while refusing to relieve the necessities of those doing severe and trying work prove the love of Christ is not an abiding principle in the soul. The required change is true conversion through crucifying self, putting away the faculty for seeing others' mistakes, turning to own defects, and giving up lukewarm self-righteousness and covetousness, lest the coming be as a thief in judgment. Dwelling on the quick coming and the command when tempted to criticize and make difficulty brings God's melting mercy into the heart and teaches how to work for God's little children by righteous example receiving the Master's commendation, rebuking a quarrelsome faultfinding spirit to be put away at once rather than quarreling until the Holy Spirit is lost and believers cease to bring the fragrance of His Spirit into life.
Holding fast because the coming is quick and the crown can be taken by another means dying to self to gain precious experience rather than cherishing and exalting self in pride, haughtiness, and spiritual poverty. It means staying consecrated to God, breaking Satan's bands and deceptive human influences, separating from corrupting counselors, and standing free and faithful when earnest effort is most needed, for continuing in deception, following a wrong path, and by silence sanctioning work against the cause surely loses the crown which is the eternal reward. Remaining bound by fascination of the devil to a corrupting adviser and counselor whose suggestions, insinuations, and ready wit even upon sacred subjects destroy faith will ruin, and keeping the crown requires moral courage and strength to separate, determination to break fetters of darkness, and one determined effort of resistance against further deception so as to come off victorious. It means acting with humble heart on correction when the Lord sends a message by delegated messengers for good, rather than going on just the same as if no warning had been given. Refusing correction in an evil way and refusing graciously given admonitions imperils the crown of eternal life, for pride, self-will, obstinacy, and determination to hold some idol and refuse to yield some indulged gratification until fixed habit and part of the very nature injure mind and body and endanger the crown, and one may do many things right and consistent in themselves yet lose the crown by holding firmly to wrong practice and refusing God's warnings, with stifled conviction as the first step in resisting the message from Jesus Christ leading directly to strengthened resistance and stupefied conscience.
To hold fast is to have conscience aroused, to turn to the Lord as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and to preserve purity and integrity before God in holiness. Becoming cold, spiritless, and worldly through mixing with the world in horse and land speculation and fraudulent speculation lets truth leak from the heart like water from a leaky vessel and brings ruin of soul, for every believer has a crown and reward that can be lost through unfaithfulness. Those who have received light and responsibility must remain faithful in serving God and advancing His work, for making void God's law and abandoning the restraint of His Word loses it, and if any are unfaithful others will come to take their places and receive the reward they might have had. Holding fast means keeping without backsliding the light already given on health reform. It means temperance in eating and drinking to keep mind and body in most favorable condition for God's service and in sacred relation with Him, denying perverted appetite so God can cooperate, and taking decided position according to the light.
It especially means abstaining from flesh meat, which is not right food for God's people because it animalizes human nature, robs of love and sympathy, builds the body from a wrong source, and brings a condition where lower passions control higher powers. No precise line of diet is marked out, for there are many kinds of wholesome food such as fruits, grains, and nuts, but backsliders are called to be converted and return to the light. The verse pictures the spiritual life of many and holds out a precious promise to the overcomer. God's faithful people are to hold fast and press forward for the heavenly crown under guidance of holy angels, stirred with zeal to seek the heavenly treasure. A crown will be given to the overcomer, calling believers to be of good courage in the Lord, filled with zeal, and strong in Christ's love and grace in striving to hold what they have so no one takes their crown.
Christ announces that His return is near and soon, and for that reason calls His people to keep a firm, tenacious hold on what they already possess until He comes, so that no one loses the reward. What is to be held is the word and word of patience, faith, hope and obedience to God's commandments, with refusal to yield any gained ground to human tradition, false sabbath worship, skepticism or deceptive new theories. The crown at stake is the promised reward to the faithful overcomer, a crown of glory, life and righteousness unto immortality and eternal life with Christ. That crown can still be lost through unfaithfulness, with its place and reward passing to another who remains faithful to bear witness. The charge was spoken by the holy and true One to Philadelphia, to those of little strength who have kept His word and not denied His name, and those who so keep the word of patience will be kept from the hour of temptation coming upon the whole world.
Speaker and Church Setting
The words are spoken by the One who is holy and true and has the key of David to open and shut, the faithful and true Witness whose words are verity and truth. They are God's own words with no human origin, given through the Spirit and through an angel from heaven to John on Patmos as what the Spirit says to the churches. The promise to come quickly and the command to hold fast what is held so that no one takes the crown belong to the message to Philadelphia with its open door, keeping from the hour of temptation, and making the overcomer a pillar in the temple of God with the name of God and of New Jerusalem written upon him. The quickness has stretched longer than finite minds expected, but the delay does not make the Speaker a deceiver, and the call is to get ready and be found waiting, watching, and loving His appearing. The message needs now to be carefully studied and understood as a word of warning against men arising with claims of new light whose theories would destroy faith in truths that have stood the test for half a century.
Its immediate setting is the message to Philadelphia, addressed to those who have a little strength and have kept the word and have not denied the name and have kept the word of patience. Before them is set an open door that no man can shut, and with the command to hold fast what they have stands the promise to keep them from the hour of temptation coming upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth. A door for service stands always open that no opposition can shut, and those who hold firmly to what they have will be kept from that worldwide hour. In these words there is no soothsaying, and joined to them are His words to Sardis about undefiled garments, walking with Him in white, overcoming, white raiment, and confession of the name before the Father and His angels.
The messages to the churches in Asia portray the state of things existing in the churches of the religious world today. The names of the churches are symbolic of the Christian church in different periods of the Christian era, the number seven indicates completeness and shows the messages extend to the end of time and are in force today, and the figures used are symbolic of the state of God's professed people as wheat developing among tares, with truth standing on its own eternal basis in contrast with error. Revelation 3:6-13, including holding on to what is possessed so no one takes the crown, is a special message commanded to be brought before churches living in transgression of the law of God as a matter of life or death and eternal interest, to be given to churches not obeying the truth, with those addressed to be found in every church. It is addressed not to the common sinner or to those making no profession of piety, but to professed Christian churches who must hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The messages in Revelation 1, 2, and 3 give the history of effort to bring dissension into the church, a difficulty that must still be met today, while the message of Revelation 3 is to be read as the highest education coming from God, teaching truly sanctified souls living the Word to be educated and taught of God in obedience to all the commandments pronounced from Sinai. One message after another to Ephesus, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea forms the last testimony about things seen and present and to come, given to confront selfishness that leaves destitute places unworked and to call for earnest effort to put workers into those fields.
The verse also stands with the messages to Laodicea, Sardis, and Thyatira, placing the soon coming within the message to Laodicea and underscoring with the appeal to awake to the responsibility of watchmen the urgency of readiness. The parallel instruction to the faithful in Thyatira is to hold fast until the coming, overcome, and keep the works to the end, with promise of authority over the nations and the morning star. It is applied to churches generally and to particular congregations such as Los Angeles, calling for awaking from sleep, for a deep work of grace in the heart, for giving the unconverted evidence by a believing life that the truth is of heavenly origin, and for doing the work God has given them to do. The whole chapter, including this verse, is a lesson to be heeded now by Seventh-day Adventists as the church described in the last part of Revelation 3, because the time is at hand, a most trying time is ahead, and perils thickening around will continue to increase until the close of this earth's history.
The whole third chapter, including this verse, must be read, understood, studied, and obeyed with determined purpose, leaving no excuse for a closed heart, since very soon all will wish they had heeded it. It is Christ's own warning to the churches for a present crisis, declaring His speedy coming and commanding keeping a firm hold on what is already possessed so the crown is not lost to another. Those bewildered by scientific problems and a presentation of good works mingled with false statements need to study the message given to John in the third chapter, and those faced with deceptive claims are warned to hold firmly to what they have so that no one takes their crown and are called to study Christ's message to the churches. Every word of Revelation 3 is to be studied by those watching for souls as those who must give an account, charging watchmen to guard every outpost and to answer in clear, decided tones under the Holy Spirit that the morning comes and also the night, calling ministers and doctors in every place to rouse themselves and not be stubborn in unbelief, lest by permitting a soul to pass into uncertainty or by leading souls wrong so they perish in the enemy's snare their blood be required at the watchmen's hands. Christ's warning to the whole chapter is to be read and obeyed in holding fast what has been received and heard, being watchful, strengthening the things which remain ready to die, and repenting, since excellent qualifications are neutralized like a dead fly in the ointment by self-love, self-deception, self-justification, hardness of heart, opinion-holding, self-exaltation, and grasping all for self while neglecting needy workers, with works weighed by One who never mistakes and found not perfect before God unless there is true conversion through crucifying self, correcting own defects, and giving up lukewarm self-righteousness and covetousness, lest He come as a thief in judgment.
Christ's Quick Coming
The verse announces that Christ is coming soon, quickly and near, and that nearness is both the reason and the consolation for holding firmly to what has been received and persevering in steadfast faithfulness. The warning is to hold fast what is already possessed so that no one takes the crown, which is the promised reward for faithfulness and overcoming. That steadfastness is linked with keeping His word through a coming time of trial and with the promises to those who overcome, calling for perseverance lest faithfulness be lost and the crown forfeited.
The soon coming is certain even though the wait has lasted longer than finite minds expected, and that protracted delay does not make the promise deceptive. The Speaker is the faithful and true Witness whose words are verity and truth, so those who repeat the soon coming are not deceivers. The verse sets no date or hour, but calls for getting ready and being found waiting, watching, and loving His appearing.
The coming is with power and great glory to meet the Lord in the clouds of heaven, after a dark night of waiting and trial. The coming morning begins when God's voice brings the day of rest and His light and glory rest on the saints, who then rise from glory to glory until Christ appears to give immortality and eternal life. In a little while He comes to give rest in the kingdom of God after present sorrows, troubles and a few days more of suffering, leading to an eternity of happiness and bliss where believers see Him as He is and are made like Him. Because He comes quickly, deliverance is soon to come, and those who hold fast to the truth in firm, unmoved faithfulness will soon enjoy the company of Jesus and angels.
That nearness rebukes indifference to the signs foretold and gives evidence that the end of the world is right upon us and the time is at hand. The whole chapter is a lesson to be heeded now, because a most trying time is ahead and thickening perils will continue to increase until the close of earth's history. It places the soon coming within urgent appeal to awake to the responsibility of watchmen, charging those watching for souls to guard every outpost and to answer in clear, decided tones under the Holy Spirit that the morning comes and also the night. Ministers and doctors in every place are to rouse themselves from stubborn unbelief, lest by letting a soul pass into uncertainty or leading souls wrong so they never extricate themselves from the enemy's snare and perish, their blood be required at the watchmen's hands.
Holding Fast Meaning
To hold fast is to keep a firm hold with all tenacity on what is already possessed, yielding no point already gained and maintaining faithfulness until Jesus comes. It is to hold the beginning of confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm and steadfast unto the end, in firm faith in conformity to the will of God, and by so holding believers are made partakers of Christ. The warning is given with the promise that Christ is coming quickly, as an admonition to faithfulness and overcoming in view of the final and fiercer conflict, for eternal life is found only through union with Christ. From now until Jesus comes the battle will wax fiercer and still fiercer, requiring meeting and resisting men regarded as very wise and learned but not spiritually wise unto salvation, with the only hope of saving the soul and helping others be saved being reception of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
What is to be held is little strength, His word, the word of His patience, faith, hope, and obedience to God's word and commandments, kept against an open door no man can shut and a worldwide hour of temptation to try earth-dwellers. Holding fast means making it the greatest desire to follow the Saviour submissively, trusting His promises rather than feelings, keeping the soul purified and the garments of character washed white in the blood of the Lamb, and continuing as an overcomer who will be kept from that hour and made a pillar in the temple of God. It means strict obedience to the Word of God rather than ceremonies, human doctrines, church tradition and commandments of men, for forsaking God's commandments for men's brings darkness and prepares for popery, and it means remaining faithful even under persecution or pressure to worship contrary to God's commandments.
For half a century God has been giving light through His Word showing where His people stand in prophecy, and that light and grace and power must be kept, including the message established by God's works in 1842, 1843 and 1844. To hold fast is to remember from what Source the truths of great importance came and how the Holy Spirit gave light and witnessed to them when advocated, refusing to let go established truth to the close of earth's history. It is to not let loose a single peg or move a single pillar God has established, to be steadfast in the faith given to His people, to stand when many depart from the faith, and to refuse any teaching from any man's lips that would sway from the real foundation of truth.
That steadfastness requires refusing for a moment skepticism, falsehood, human interpretations, fables, subtle theories, sophistry, masters of sophistry come to do away with the light, deceptive claims of new light, confusing explanations from the enemy, and scientific problems with presentation of good works mingled with false statements. Such theories if received would destroy faith in truths that have stood the test for half a century, spoil faith, confuse understanding, make faith in Christ of none effect, dull memory and understanding, bring unrest to the churches, cause loss of bearings, and draw away mind after mind imperceptibly until crown and future immortal life are forfeited. The loss comes through those departed from the faith imbuing others with a spirit that draws away from faith, so watchfulness, correct discernment of truth, and repentance for allowing the tempter to weaken confidence, for unbelief and for faults entered are required.
Holding fast is advancing and receiving saving grace day by day so its effect is saving, with God's blessing as strength, the price of watchfulness, and prayer in faith bringing rich blessing through the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is tied to keeping the word of patience as life work and study, to walking by faith with self-denial and daily cross-bearing, to grasping the Son of God by living faith and keep holding on, seeking victory after victory with no time to lose, and to striving with zeal, good courage and strength in Christ's love and grace. God gives day by day the strength needed to hold fast and keep the crown, and those who press to the mark while angels cooperate will have evidences of God's love, power and salvation, receiving brighter and stronger courage and light from Jesus even when they fear their burden is gone and the Lord has left them.
Crown Reward and Loss
The crown is the promised reward for faithfulness and overcoming, a crown of glory that does not fade, of life, of righteousness, of immortal glory and everlasting life. It is the prize of the race, requiring earnest effort and striving, imitating the life and teachings of Christ and keeping His example in view. It is laid up for the faithful overcomer who follows submissively with the greatest desire, persevering in faith toward the final victory of the Christian life. It is gained by those who reign with Christ in the heavenly courts through the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony, receiving His righteousness as their only hope of saving the soul and helping others be saved.
The race is not run in uncertainty and not fought as beating the air, because believers look to Jesus as author and finisher of faith and are changed from glory to glory by the Spirit. God deals nobly and does not require self-denial and strict spiritual discipline at the hazard of losing at last and missing the victor's crown. This is unlike ancient athletes who disciplined every physical power, endured severe training, and ran at risk of life for a perishable laurel without knowing if they would win. The winner runs to obtain an imperishable crown of immortal glory without looking behind or from side to side to see if fellow workers come out ahead, never off guard in a grand, holy, sacred work, refusing to let the doings and sayings of finite erring men and their interpretations of God-given work cause discouragement. Responsibility is to God who entrusted the work and shepherd charge, and He will render to every man according as his work shall be.
The crown can be taken and lost through unfaithfulness, and another can receive the place and reward forfeited. Those who refuse to bear witness may lose their place while faithful witnesses remain and take it, and when one apostatizes and gives up running the race for the crown of life another will take his place and win the crown he has lost. Yielding to family pressure, inducements, and opposition over Sabbath and truth, drawing back and casting off the Lord, lets another take the crown of eternal life away, so endurance under trial decides whether the name remains in the book of life. Becoming cold, spiritless, and worldly through mixing with the world in horse and land speculation and fraudulent speculation lets truth leak from the heart like water from a leaky vessel to ruin of soul, and if any are unfaithful others will come in to take their places and receive the reward they might have had. Persisting in stubbornness and self-will removes the Spirit so that another receives the intended crown, and continuing in deception, following a wrong path, breaking no satanic bands, keeping corrupting counselors, and by silence sanctioning work against the cause surely loses the crown. Holding fast therefore means learning with meekness and humility, working faithfully earnestly and humbly trusting not in human power but in the Lord God of Israel, doing the commandments to keep right to the tree of life, with aroused conscience turning to the Lord as the Way, the Truth, and the Life in purity and integrity before God in holiness, standing free, consecrated and faithful when earnest effort is most needed.
At the entrance to the holy city Jesus places crowns of glory on the overcomers, each bearing the recipient's new name and the inscription consecration to the Lord. Overcomers reign with Christ in the heavenly courts through the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony, wearing His righteousness through eternity. The royal diadem brings honor and glory, immortality, and life in the presence of Him who died to elevate and ennoble man, in contrast to the terrible pains of the second death. Holy angels lead God's faithful people as they press forward for the heavenly treasure, stirring them with zeal, and God gives day by day the strength needed to hold fast and keep the crown. The greatness of that crown shows how important it is to turn a soul from error to truth, and those instrumental in the salvation of others will be gratefully remembered by the ransomed and glorified, who will not regret any self-denying effort, persevering labor, patience, forbearance, and earnest yearning to save souls from being lost.
The prospect searches the heart at death, when everyone true to Christ will not worry about property but ask whether there is a crown of life, whether He will give that crown, whether the crown of victory will be placed upon the brow, whether the harp of gold will be placed in the hand, and whether when the trumpet sounds and the dead come forth to immortality he will be of that number. The promise belongs in the midst of the perils of the last days, in the evening of this earth's history, because the word of patience has been kept and there is keeping from the hour of temptation coming upon the whole world to try earth-dwellers. It gives comfort in bereavement to rejoice and not mourn without hope, knowing the dead in the Lord rest from their labors and are hid with Christ in God for a little moment until the indignation is past. Under the third angel's message some of the faithful hold the hope firmly unto the end with proof at every step even in death, dying in the Lord blessed and resting from their labors, and their crown remains secure.
The overcomer's crown placed upon the brow upon entering the kingdom is kept only by being converted and becoming as a little child. It requires making haste to correct errors of an impatient, tyrannical spirit grown with a lifetime, and being sanctified by the truth rather than merely loving the truth and standing as a defender of the faith. Without that conversion, a life of righteousness and benevolent acts is of no value and the crown is lost.
Prophecy and Final Trial
The message to the sixth church is the experience of those who proclaimed the coming in 1844, who passed through a time of severe trial until light on the ministry in the heavenly sanctuary made their position clear. That message belongs to the Advent movement and to the Sabbath reform, holding out future glory and reward while meeting opposition directed against keepers of the commandments.
Those who have kept the word of patience will be kept from the hour of temptation that comes upon all the world to try those who dwell on the earth, and holding firmly what is held secures the crown against loss. That keeping belongs amid the perils of the last days in the evening of this earth's history, with an open door of service that no opposition can shut for those who have a little strength, have not denied the name, and keep the word. Faithfulness therefore means remaining true to the word and refusing to deny Christ even under persecution and pressure to worship contrary to the commandments. The hour of temptation has now come and will continue to increase in force and intensity until the end is pronounced, so firm hold must be maintained through it that no one be robbed of the crown. In that setting the promise also gives comfort in bereavement to rejoice without hopeless mourning, for the dead in the Lord rest from labors, hidden with Christ for a little moment until the indignation is past.
The overcomer is made a pillar in the temple of God to go no more out, marked with the name of God and the name of the New Jerusalem. That promise stands with the open door no man can shut, keeping from the worldwide hour of trial, and belongs to what the Spirit says to the churches. With it is also given the new name of Christ, written upon the overcomer together with the name of God and the name of New Jerusalem. The same words stand joined to the call to watchfulness, undefiled garments, walking in white as worthy, and confession of the name before the Father and angels, and in them there is no soothsaying.
The passage belongs to the proclamation that combines the first and second messages and binds them up with the third, bringing down to the closing scenes of this earth's history. There the great last warfare is between two classes, those who keep the commandments of God and those who make void His law. The message from Revelation 3:6-13, including holding what is possessed so no one takes the crown, is commanded to be brought as a matter of life and death and eternal interest before churches living in transgression of the law. It is addressed not to the common sinner or to those making no profession, but to professed Christian churches who must hear, and those addressed will be found in every church.
From now until Jesus comes the battle will wax fiercer and still fiercer, and holding fast means yielding no point of truth already gained and maintaining faithfulness until He comes. That faithfulness will require meeting and resisting men regarded as very wise and learned who are not spiritually wise unto salvation. The only hope of saving the soul and helping others to be saved is receiving the righteousness of Jesus Christ, by which overcomers prevail through the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony to a crown of glory that fades not away and to reigning with Christ in the heavenly courts. The whole chapter is solemn warning from God about the last events, guarding against confusion of mind by evil fallen angels working in all deceivableness of unrighteousness that would if possible deceive the very elect, for the perils of the last days are upon us and confusion now may be of death unto death.
The revealed truth is being fulfilled today and must be read and understood. A heavenly Watcher marks words and deportment and reads the motives prompting action. There is no time now for idleness and indifference, but Christian character must be striven for and spiritual understanding cleansed, purified, sanctified, and ennobled. All are now taking sides, and it is time to choose blessing or curse by purifying the mind in obedience to the truth.
Links With Other Scriptures
The charge to hold fast stands alongside the charge given to the faithful in Thyatira to hold fast what they have until the coming, to overcome and to keep the works to the end. To those who so overcome and keep the works to the end belong authority over the nations and the morning star.
It stands with the words to Sardis to be watchful, to strengthen the things that remain and are ready to die, to remember what was received and heard, to hold it fast and to repent. It belongs with undefiled garments, with walking in white as worthy, with overcoming, with receiving white raiment, and with having the name confessed before the Father and His angels. Those who do not defile their garments are the faithful few who shall walk in white, while failure to watch and keep the garments leaves nakedness and shame exposed. The warning searches works that are not found perfect before God when self-love, self-deception, self-justification, hardness toward brethren, opinion-holding, self-exaltation, and grasping all for self neutralize excellent qualifications like a dead fly in the ointment, and the remedy is true conversion through crucifying self, correcting one's own defects, and giving up lukewarm self-righteousness and covetousness, lest the coming be in judgment as a thief.
Before the faithful who keep the word, do not deny the name, and keep the word of patience stands an open door that no one can shut. That door for service stands always open so that no opposition can shut it. Those who hold firmly to what they have, though having only a little strength, will be kept from the worldwide hour of temptation that comes to try earth-dwellers.
Holding fast means clinging to integrity and to confidence in God as a drowning person clings to the cable or rope thrown out to save him from the waves, so that no one takes the crown. It makes the Scriptures the supreme standard, lives in continual dependence on God, and cultivates personal holiness and personal religion that cannot be borrowed, since another's faith, hope, and repentance cannot save. It calls for a deeper experience through putting away trifling things, drawing near to God, and giving time wasted in useless talk to searching the Scriptures and earnest prayer, which gives vigor of mind, stability of character, and ability of a superior order. It produces Christian manhood with the soul uplifted to God and strong in His strength, sagacity with soundness of faith and doctrine, and unbending integrity like that of Joseph and Daniel who preserved unsullied purity in corrupt heathen courts. When Christ is formed within as the hope of glory, the life becomes well balanced and unchangeable, with the heart fixed in trust in God above influences that discourage, discompose, disturb, and ruffle minds not stayed on Him.
Its foundation is the baptismal covenant of going down into the water dead to the world in the names of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the three great powers in whom all heaven was given to the world, to be pleaded in trial and perplexity. By it believers take their stand on the Lord's side as His property and blood-bought heritage, for to deny the faith is to crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame, which none can afford. Doing the commandments keeps the right to the tree of life, and continuing to work faithfully, earnestly, and humbly in trust not in human power but in the Lord preserves the crown of eternal life. If truth already received is cast off under family pressure, inducement, or opposition, the crown can be lost and another will take the forfeited place and reward, so endurance under trial decides whether the name remains in the book of life.
Call to Faithful Living
Those watching for souls must study every word of the third chapter and guard every outpost, answering in clear decided tones under the Holy Spirit that the morning comes and also the night. Ministers and doctors in every place must rouse themselves from stubborn unbelief and not let a soul pass into the shadow of uncertainty or lead souls wrong until they cannot extricate themselves from the enemy's snare and perish confused, lest their blood be required at the watchmen's hands. Holding firmly keeps the crown of life that awaits in heaven where a personal living Saviour pleads in the heavenly sanctuary, and it requires doing duty in giving the final worldwide message of mercy rather than letting Satan distract by other concerns. The light given in 1842, 1843, and 1844 was established by God's workings and is to be held fast, and one message after another to Ephesus, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea confronts selfishness that leaves destitute unworked places and calls for earnest effort to put workers into those fields.
Believers, especially young men and young women, hold fast by staying on the right side and refusing to choose the wrong side. The wrong side is following the largest number as in Noah's day and following a world now mad under Satan's training and inspiration in sustaining and giving popularity to sin and transgression of God's law. Giving popularity to sin does not lessen the force of one principle of God, so remaining on the right side of obedience is of the highest consequence. Holding fast means keeping truth already possessed instead of hiding it to keep popularity, influence, and worldly advantage. Followers will not be popular but meek and lowly like their Master, who bore abuse, reproach, insult, hatred, mockery, betrayal, Gethsemane, the judgment hall, and death as a malefactor, and seeking the highest seat causes loss of the crown and ends in the lowest place.
Holding fast is dealing justly, loving mercy, walking humbly with God, learning in Christ's school, and partaking with Christ in suffering in order to share His glory in His kingdom. Those who so hold receive the seal of the living God, enter through the gates into the city of God, and are crowned with glory, honor, and immortality. The quick coming brings comfort to commandment keepers under oppression to remain faithful to what they have lest anyone take their crown. It is held by having religion in the home and by educating and training children to well-balanced characters that the Lord can approve, requiring thorough work in home life without which God's blessing cannot be expected. The Lord will work with human efforts, but He will not do the work He has given to be done.
The warning calls for watchfulness, strengthening things that remain ready to die, holding what has been received and heard, and repenting. Some warned have excellent qualifications, yet these are neutralized like a dead fly in ointment by self-love, self-deception, and self-justification for gross neglect to help brethren in God's service by encouraging words and deeds. Measured and weighed by One who never mistakes, their works are found not perfect before God, because hardness of heart toward one another, holding to opinion and self-exaltation, and grasping all for self while refusing to relieve the necessities of those doing severe and trying work prove the love of Christ is not an abiding principle in the soul. The required change is true conversion through crucifying self, putting away the faculty for seeing others' mistakes, turning to own defects, and giving up lukewarm self-righteousness and covetousness, lest the coming be as a thief in judgment. Dwelling on the quick coming and the command when tempted to criticize and make difficulty brings God's melting mercy into the heart and teaches how to work for God's little children by righteous example receiving the Master's commendation, rebuking a quarrelsome faultfinding spirit to be put away at once rather than quarreling until the Holy Spirit is lost and believers cease to bring the fragrance of His Spirit into life.
Holding fast because the coming is quick and the crown can be taken by another means dying to self to gain precious experience rather than cherishing and exalting self in pride, haughtiness, and spiritual poverty. It means staying consecrated to God, breaking Satan's bands and deceptive human influences, separating from corrupting counselors, and standing free and faithful when earnest effort is most needed, for continuing in deception, following a wrong path, and by silence sanctioning work against the cause surely loses the crown which is the eternal reward. Remaining bound by fascination of the devil to a corrupting adviser and counselor whose suggestions, insinuations, and ready wit even upon sacred subjects destroy faith will ruin, and keeping the crown requires moral courage and strength to separate, determination to break fetters of darkness, and one determined effort of resistance against further deception so as to come off victorious. It means acting with humble heart on correction when the Lord sends a message by delegated messengers for good, rather than going on just the same as if no warning had been given. Refusing correction in an evil way and refusing graciously given admonitions imperils the crown of eternal life, for pride, self-will, obstinacy, and determination to hold some idol and refuse to yield some indulged gratification until fixed habit and part of the very nature injure mind and body and endanger the crown, and one may do many things right and consistent in themselves yet lose the crown by holding firmly to wrong practice and refusing God's warnings, with stifled conviction as the first step in resisting the message from Jesus Christ leading directly to strengthened resistance and stupefied conscience.
To hold fast is to have conscience aroused, to turn to the Lord as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and to preserve purity and integrity before God in holiness. Becoming cold, spiritless, and worldly through mixing with the world in horse and land speculation and fraudulent speculation lets truth leak from the heart like water from a leaky vessel and brings ruin of soul, for every believer has a crown and reward that can be lost through unfaithfulness. Those who have received light and responsibility must remain faithful in serving God and advancing His work, for making void God's law and abandoning the restraint of His Word loses it, and if any are unfaithful others will come to take their places and receive the reward they might have had. Holding fast means keeping without backsliding the light already given on health reform. It means temperance in eating and drinking to keep mind and body in most favorable condition for God's service and in sacred relation with Him, denying perverted appetite so God can cooperate, and taking decided position according to the light.
It especially means abstaining from flesh meat, which is not right food for God's people because it animalizes human nature, robs of love and sympathy, builds the body from a wrong source, and brings a condition where lower passions control higher powers. No precise line of diet is marked out, for there are many kinds of wholesome food such as fruits, grains, and nuts, but backsliders are called to be converted and return to the light. The verse pictures the spiritual life of many and holds out a precious promise to the overcomer. God's faithful people are to hold fast and press forward for the heavenly crown under guidance of holy angels, stirred with zeal to seek the heavenly treasure. A crown will be given to the overcomer, calling believers to be of good courage in the Lord, filled with zeal, and strong in Christ's love and grace in striving to hold what they have so no one takes their crown.