A Promise to the Victorious

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Rev 3:11-13

Once again we have a renewal of Jesus' wonderful promise, I am coming soon. Jesus has been describing a time when the greatest trial that the earth has ever known will come, the great tribulation. It is in relationship to this event that Jesus says he is coming soon. As the world nears that final, climactic upheaval, we should hear again his promise that he is coming soon.

In relationship to that promise his word is, Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown. As the times get harder for Christians, as hostility increases and the world becomes more and more secular, then we must be careful that we do not give up and go along with worldly attitudes and pursuits. We must not allow a desire for status, prestige, fame, a beautiful home and the things the world lusts for, to become central in our thinking. Hold on to what you have, says Jesus, because there is danger that someone may take your crown. That is not a reference to the possible loss of salvation. What it is speaking of is your opportunity for service in the eternal ages. That is the reward which is offered, the opportunity for even greater service.

There are two promises given to the victorious ones. First, Jesus says, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and never again will he leave it. A pillar is a symbol of strength and permanence. Our Lord is promising those who hold on to what they have, a position of strength and permanence in the life to come.

Second, Jesus says three names will be written on the victorious. The first is, the name of my God. This is a promise that believers will become godly. If you are maturing as a Christian, each year you ought to be more patient, compassionate, understanding of others, and mature in your judgment. Second, Jesus says, I will write [on him] the name of the city of my God. Revelation gives a vivid description of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven as a bride adorned for her husband. That is a picture of loving intimacy; someone captured by the beauty and goodness of another and longing to be with him or her. Those who stand fast in the midst of a decaying world will know the intimacy of a husband's love for his bride. Last, says Jesus, I will also write on him my new name. When our Lord's work of redemption is finished, he will have a new name, but it is a name that no man knows (Revelation 19:12). Jesus is the redemptive name of our Lord. It means Yahweh saves. But when the work of redemption is finished, when we are all home in glory with him, Jesus will be given a new work to do. No one knows what it is, but the church is promised a share in those vast new labors! In the new heavens and the new earth, redemption will no longer be required, but a new role will be given our Lord, and in that new work the church is called to share.

Father, I am so grateful for the glorious hope of the new heavens and the new earth. Help me to hold on to what I have so that no one will take my crown. Amen.