Hold Fast till I Come... the Wayfarer 8/11/17

Hold Fast till I Come
8/11/17

(Revelation 2:25)

“But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come.”

Hold fast! Hold the line! Words heard in battle time and time again that come when defeat has seemed imminent, all has seemed lost, hope forsaken by all but a courageous few recognizing that to do anything less is to accept death and deny even the possibility of life.

That word of encouragement, of exhortation to continue in the face of adversity that seems insurmountable has time and again turned the course of battles that eventually turn the course of wars and the course of nations as well.

From that calming reminder to be steady, steadfast strength is given that has eventually led to the command to advance on an enemy whose back has been broken in the face of the withering fire given by those holding the line, holding fast to ground already taken and to gain even more of that precious real estate bathed in the blood that has been the price of its attainment.

Another famous command given by a long forgotten Sergeant Major echoes as well in my mind from the days of a war intended to end all wars, “Come on boys, over the top, let’s go, do you want to live forever?”

His unit had long held fast, held the line, the time had come to advance, die in retreat, or die in place, the choice was quite clear that the time had come to take the battle to the enemy instead of allowing his constant winnowing and discouraging dividing subtraction from the numbers of the defenses and defenders of ground already paid for… it was time to collect the interest on the blood expended and lives lost.

“Preacher, have you lost your mind? What in the world does some battle from the first World War have to do with me and my life, or with the love you are supposed to preach, or salvation, or charity, or any of the other concepts being preached by preachers now?”

That instance mentioned comes to mind as an illustration of the desperation faced by more than a few on this puny planet each and every day of their lives who without that encouragement to hold the line would choose to desert, surrender, or simply retreat to certain death in the face of what seems to be a situation that has no tenable solution, leaving all hope for any future.

The opening words, the opening verse comes from Jesus’ admonition to the church in Thyratira, one of the seven specific admonitions and instructions that apply directly to all times and all churches, and all people of all nations that are sensible enough to hear both the warning and the promise given throughout out bible from Genesis to Revelation, perhaps most strident and resounding as given to John for him to pass down to THE Church in anticipation of the command yet to be given to advance beyond the trenches and retake what seems to have been taken despite the blood price already paid.

(Revelation 2:18-19)

¹⁸ And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

¹⁹ I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Take note that these words, written in red in my bible, the same color as the blood shed already, come from the One who shed that blood to pay the price for the “real estate” that is not mere ground, but the souls of a creation that are far more precious than any land or resource being sought during the process of the wars fought by men.

What is to be held is outlined definitively in that 19^th verse. The commander issuing that order to hold fast is identified in the verse immediately preceding it.

Charity, (love, both the tender compassionate love of concern and care, and its harsher counterpart that requires admonition, guidance and rebuke when called for), service (action taken, along with the spoken words to initiate and continue that love), faith, (complete belief and trust in the ability of Jesus to deliver on the promise made, particularly when facing the adversity that seemingly denies what has been promised), patience (required to await that final command to advance out of the trench that is muddied and filling rapidly with the bodies and the stench that sickens those in the trench, as it seeks to discourage the purpose of being there to begin with) and works yet to be accomplished that are more difficult in order to complete the mission of holding that line.

Christ is aware of the need of encouragement, the necessity of reminder that what is done for Him is not in vain, a reminder that duty IS being fulfilled by those seeking to meet those requirements despite the mumbling and treasonous behavior of too many rushing from the trenches to join the enemy, surrendering to death, instead of obeying the only command that guarantees life.

²⁰ Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

²¹ And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

²² Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

²³ And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

The deserters, naysayers, those seeking another battle plan than that already established and in progress, that would recruit from the ranks of the trenches in an effort to empty them of all defenses before the battle is won cannot and will not succeed.

Those promising reward with no effort expended, blessing without the expenditure of blood, will face the judgment of the Court Martial that has no mercy once begun.

The charges of desertion have been filed by themselves, as they willingly depart from their required duties seeking to escape the effort required to accomplish those duties.

This portion of the warning is also a reminder, that those preaching contrary to the Word, lead those who accept their treasonous teaching to the same perdition that awaits the enemy they join when accepting that teaching.

Still, the chance for redemption is offered. That redemption is given, as it has been from the days of Adam, only for the repentance and return to duty on the line, complete acceptance of the requirements as given by our Commander.

The 23d verse once more is a reminder of just Who is in charge, and that no falsity of heart will go undiscovered or unpunished.

²⁴ But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

The only burden is the initial burden of duty already given. There are no extensive and impossible requirements to be placed on any who simply accept those already provided us through the scriptures, and despite the threats of the enemy, no price may be extracted for the eventual reward other than that already paid!

²⁵ But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

²⁶ And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

²⁷ And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

²⁸ And I will give him the morning star.

²⁹ He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Here is the promise of the reward for duty fulfilled, the redemption assured for each that gives the required repentance along with the further promise that the enemy cannot, will not succeed, if what has been given is accepted, what has been commanded obeyed, what is to be endured is endured.

I remind all once more, that the price for that precious real estate of the soul HAS BEEN PAID!

It has been paid in full… It has been paid in blood…paid in the only blood able to make appropriate payment for that “real estate”.

The command to “Hold fast” must be passed down the line.

Be ready for the next command to advance, and do so willingly, without fear.

In answer to that long forgotten leader’s question referenced at the beginning, the answer is either yes and I will follow Jesus to that promised eternal life, or no thanks, I don’t think it worth my while, so I’ll just surrender.

That command to advance is coming soon, sooner for some than others, but for all eventually.

I choose to hold fast for now, and to advance when the command is given!

Once given, choices made are no longer changeable, but permanent.

The promise and the warning have been given. The command has been given, hear and heed or ignore, once more individual choice!

Revelation 22King James Version (KJV)

22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

² In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

³ And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

⁴ And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

⁵ And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

⁶ And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

⁷ Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

⁸ And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

⁹ Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

¹⁰ And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

¹¹ He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

¹² And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

¹³ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

¹⁴ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

¹⁵ For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

¹⁶ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

¹⁸ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

²⁰ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

And, from me, a resounding Amen as well!

the Wayfarer