Hold Fast

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 7
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which
thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant." Psa. 25:1414The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. (Psalm 25:14). There has been an outbreak of departure from the inspiration of Scripture. The Lord spoke in John 14:2121He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (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 6:6363It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: 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. 2:1313Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 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. 3:1212Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Revelation 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 21:19-2219This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (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, 1413And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 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. 6:12-1712For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 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. 6:18-2018Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 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, 2625Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: (Colossians 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, 98But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. 9For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:8‑9).
“Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:44Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because 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