Today, I was struck by a text that I’m inviting you to reflect on with me. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Revelation 3:11 CEB
[11] I’m coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your crown.
Hold on to What You Have
I have heard that song many times, I’ve read Revelation through before, but it is only today, while reading this version that the phrase truly struck me. ‘Hold on to what you have…’. The song lyrics contain the chorus that goes as follows:
You had a-better hold on
Hold on to what you got
You had a-better hold on
Hold on to what you got
[Chorus]
‘Cause if you think nobody wants it
Just throw it away, and you will see
Someone will have it
Before you can count
– one, two, three
Yes they will, yes they will
…and the rest of the song offers advice to couples, both men and women, on how to handle their relationships. I guess with that, I didn’t ever think that the punch line had scriptural roots.
The thing is, siblings, if we stop at just ‘hold on to what you have’, then we’ll totally miss the message. This message is part of a greater vision, where John is party to God’s views about 7 key churches. While we might argue about whether the titles are for them or metaphorical, the content is relevant for all time. Our Nougat is derived from the message to the angel of the church at Philadelphia.
The author of this message to the church, Y’shua Jesus, told them he has observed their deeds and, thought they have been imperfect, their faithfulness is commendable. That carries enough weight with Jesus, Who self-described as’the one who is Holy and true, who holds the key of David’ (see Revelation 3:7). We realize, therefore, that Y’shua’s exhortation is directly connected to His holiness because each church receives a different self-description.
Self-Check
To what are we holding, individually and collectively? Is it connected to our lived faith?
Application
Jesus’s exhortation underscores that there is something valuable ‘within’ that others may wish to steal. If read with the Sermon on the Mount in mind (see Matthew 5-7 for details), we immediately realize that, for Christ, valuables comprise (spiritual) treasure that benefits us beyond this lifetime. Thus, that which we are to hold to as Philadelphia-oriented believers must be of a spiritual nature.
It follows that if the commendation offered to the Philadelphia church is their faithfulness, then at least part of what they ought to hold on to is exactly that. Their faith. This is not just a declaration of belief given when we seek membership in a household of faith, but it also refers to our willingness to stay the course with Christ in the rough times. (We all know, there be some very rough times). For, we are blessed through persecution… as this is the way of our Faith.
What this tells us is that when the going gets tough, the tough get going with God at the helm; inasmuch as when the going gets good, the good go to (gift) God. Siblings, in all circumstances, everywhere and at all times, our task is to hold steadfast to our faith, lest we lose our crown.
Point to Ponder
What do we need to hold on to just now to keep our faith going?
May all we seek be found in Christ
