ESOCS Devotional 18 December 2025 – Hold Fast
MEMORY VERSE: “”Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11 KJV
TEXT: REVELATION 3:2-14
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
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The church at Philadelphia in this verse is generally referred to as ‘the faithful church’ and is one of the two churches in Revelation that do not receive a word of rebuke from the Lord.
Although the church at Philadelphia was small in number, they faithfully held fast to the truth of God’s Word and patiently endured the difficulties and trials they faced, in a world at enmity with God. They did receive a warning: “Hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Jesus knew that laziness in our Christian walk was a dangerous trait, for we are surrounded by many temptations and trials that can lure us away from the path of righteousness or exhaust our soul if we are not walking in Spirit and truth.
There are many crowns that are laid up for us in heaven at the end of our journey through life, as rewards for those that are faithful. Let us beware of the dangers that can cause our faith in God’s Word to fall and let us hold fast that which we have, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
A haphazard attitude toward our faith will only result in sadness. When the Lord returns for the Church, it will be in the “twinkling of an eye.” Therefore, Jesus asks us to “hold fast” to what we have.
Whatever is promised to all can be obtained by each. When it is obtained, it belongs to that person forever. However, for those who fail to receive it, that anticipated crown, will be taken from them. This is a call to us, brethren, to HOLD FAST TO OUR CROWN OF GLORY!
CHALLENGES
- When last did you evaluate your Christian work with God?
PRAYER POINT
- Heavenly Father, Keep me, I pray, in full and utter dependence upon You alone every moment of the day, as I hold fast to my crown until the end of my life.
FURTHER READING: Prov. 16:1-19; 17:9-20; Revelation 1:1-20
ESOCS Devotional 18 December 2025
