“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which
thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
Rev. 3:11
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant." Psa. 25:14. There has been an outbreak of departure from the inspiration of Scripture. The Lord spoke in John 14:21 of him who keeps His commandments, and in verse 23 (JND) of him who keeps His Word. He tells us these are those who love Him. He then says in verse 24, "He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings [words (plural)]." This indicates that the Scriptures are verbally inspired.
Some translations have departed from the verbal inspiration of Scripture, using the words of men to supplant the words used by the Holy Spirit. The Lord said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63. Which are we to choose—the words of men or the words of inspiration? Paul said, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth." 1 Cor. 2:13.
He says to us today, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Notice the words, "no man". To keep His Word and not deny His name is to put the accent on His Word, and watch against a shift of emphasis away from the Word of God to ministry. The early brethren searched out the truth from the Scriptures. We follow their faith. The direction is toward the written Word. Here is the secret of power—to keep His Word and not deny His name.
Notice the character of the Philadelphian overcomer. It is all heavenly throughout (Rev. 3:12). The words of the message to Philadelphia are all Himself, using the personal pronouns "I", "My" and "He" 20 times. He, Himself, is the center of the circle of brotherly love. This is not human sentiment. It is the product of the word "Philadelphia", but the accent is all on the Person—the center of the circle. Brotherly love is with us in the sweetness of spiritual reality, not to be surrendered through unwatchfulness and sleep.
Do you recall the Lord's meaningful words in John 21:19-22? Here we get our direction in these testing days at the end. Peter was following, but turned to see John also following, and he was the disciple whom Jesus loved, for it was he who leaned so closely on Jesus' breast at supper. Are we to look at one who was in so close communion, who was also a disciple? Notice the Lord's gentle correction to Peter's question, "Lord, and what shall this man do?" Jesus says to him, "What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.”
There is another Scripture that could perhaps be given as a summary, and act as assurance to our souls. Turn to Rev. 19:13, 14. Here we get a final word as to the Lord's followers. "The armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." The name of the One they followed is called "The Word of God." HE is the Word of God. To be true and faithful, we stand faithfully to "It is written," conscious of the forces of darkness arraigned against us, and remember, too, that spiritual forces are in the heavenlies. But notice we are given one weapon for aggressive warfare, and that is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph. 6:12-17.)
These Scriptures cited above are important and sufficient in themselves to form a suitable conclusion. However, Paul adds an exhortation for all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching unto this very thing, for all saints and for "me" (Eph. 6:18-20). Paul speaks here for prayer for himself as the vessel for the completion of the Word of God. See Col. 1:25, 26. This was the second part of his ministry, but it was arrived at through his boldness of utterance to make known the mystery of the gospel. Paul said, "I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me." He then gives a meaningful comment: "And there are many adversaries." 1 Cor. 16:8, 9.
“Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4. The Man we follow has a name written: "The Word of God."
M. Priestley