Revelation 3 vs 11-13

Revelation Chapter 3 Verse 11

·    Jesus says, promises to this church, (and if this a promise to this church then it is inherently/definitely a promise for us), “Behold I am coming quickly.” That statement is a significant problem for the mid/post tribulationist. For the mid-tribulationist, they must reject this statement from Jesus…, “Nope, we have 3.5 more years…” For the post-tribulationist, they must reject this statement from Jesus…, “Nope, we have 7 more years…” And even more, I can deduce the day and the hour…from the start of the Great Tribulation to the mid-point…or from the start of the Great Tribulation to the end… three and a half or seven years…but Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, “No one knows….”

·    For those that aren’t looking for the anti-Christ, for those that are not looking for the Great Tribulation, for those that are looking for the return of Jesus Christ in the air to call up His bride to Himself…, this verse is fire! I’m coming soon! I’m coming quickly! Watch for Me! Be ready! The word quickly means SUDDENLY, without delay and without anything in My way!! It’s actually the word “tachy” in the Greek! Man, I am so looking for the return of Jesus that I’m just TACHY in this world, HA!!!

·    Notice, He says “hold fast!” There is something I need to do, something I am responsible to do and that is to persevere in what He has already commended this church for… You have a little strength, you have kept My Word and you have not denied My name! And if I don’t…, what do I lose? Notice, He doesn’t say that I lose the promises He’s already given. He says I lose, or rather it is taken from me, my crown!

·    There are some out there that live in a grip of performance in fear of am I or am I not going to be welcomed into heaven? That issue may not be settled in the heart of every Christian but it is settled in the Bible! Give your life to Jesus! And if it looks like the Taj Mahal or a trash heap, it’s still HIS!! Grace has entered. Forgiveness has set in! And days of poor performance don’t strip you of the promises of God! What they do is strip you of your crown(s)! You don’t lose your salvation when you stop being worthy of it… You were never worthy of it on your best day! If any of us could lose our salvation then we all would!!

·    Here’s the settlement of the promises of God in the Bible. They are all over the place, but let me just encourage you with a few (walk you into courage!)! John 10:27-30, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, (gift – He didn’t say I reward them, I pay them, I compensate them, I lend them…, I GIVE THEM), and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

·    Listen to this, Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ok, just one more, the last straw, the knockout punch, Ephesians 1:13-14, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchases possession, to the praise of His glory!!!”

·    Ok so, and I love this so much, what crown is He talking about there in verse 11? There are several crowns listed in the Bible as rewards that will be given to the faithful in glory, is He talking about them? Maybe, but I have a complimentary idea as well. He says, “Crown.” Philippians 4:1, “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and my crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”

·    What is this crown? It is the joy of the Lord through you in the people that God gives you in this life. (Some folks know nothing of what I just said…sadly) Trust the Lord, don’t fall prey to the flesh, fight the real enemy and that is your own sin…don’t lose your crown (don’t let it get taken from you), the precious ones that God has brought into this world, into this generation, into this place, into your life… I don’t know how to say this correctly…I can’t find the words…but your crown is the mark of your citizenship and your belonging in the courts of God Most High…and it is lost when you forsake what God would never forsake. To walk in grace, mercy, love, kindness and service preference towards others…

·    If you are one to go the route of the specific crowns mentioned in scripture then that is totally fine. Let’s talk about that for just a moment… In the Bible, there are five rewards, five crowns that are offered, (not promised), offered to the faithful in this life. What is their purpose and what is their value in eternity? Not entirely sure, we’ll find out… But one purpose and value is that they are perhaps an element of enhanced worship in heaven.

·    We read in Revelation 4:9-11, “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders falls down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created!”

·    Here are the five crowns or rewards offered to the saints in the Bible. (Picture) The Crown of Life (mentioned in James 1:12, and Revelation 2:10) that is promised to those who love God and remain faithful to God even when it causes them to suffer. The Incorruptible/Imperishable Crown (mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:25) that is promised to those who discipline themselves in their Christian Walk, similar to an athlete training for a race. The Crown of Righteousness (mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8) that is promised to those who live righteously, yearning for and in anticipation of the return of Jesus. The Crown of Glory (mentioned in 1 Peter 5:4) that is promised to faithful shepherds and elders who lead God’s people with humility and dedication. And the Crown of Rejoicing (mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:19) that is promised to those who share the gospel, live their faith, and lead others to Christ. To receive all of these crowns is referred to in the Bible as the “full reward,” and you can read of that in 2 John 1:8.

Revelation Chapter 3 Verse 12

·    Not just a member but a pillar. A pillar is interesting. In times of great calamity, only the pillar will remain…and the pillar itself is ONLY supported by the foundation. It has and needs no other support.

·    A place of great honor and we will be marked with eternity…some of you are already marked and man do I see it, and man do I appreciate it. Kindness, humility, preference, holiness, Godliness…in this world where it’s nothing but strife, problems, work, pressure and pain…you are a light. And I won’t be surprised, none of us will be surprised when we see in heaven who is and who is not marked with these rewards…stamps of God Himself…

·    And Jesus says, “I will write on him,” three things. The name of the Father, the name of the Son, and the name of the New Jerusalem! What’s that all about and what will that look like, I don’t know! But you only write on things that you are proud of, things you love (think Toy Story, HA!). That you want to make known to you, to them and to everyone that this is mine. Customized license plates, HA! And, this tells us that there are heavenly, righteous tattoos… sorry, you can’t get away from that truth! HA!

Revelation Chapter 3 Verse 13

·    “To the churches,” not just to one church…to His Bride…, to the churches, all of them and all of us! This faithful church, a little strength left…, nothing much really on their own; in the word persevering, upholding the name of Jesus in their own hearts as the name above all names! Living unto God and therefore…, alive! Living life to the fullest! Full reward NOW! (or at least a shadow of it!) Following the one with the keys to it all! I’m thankful for this letter because it gives me true north as to how I and my church are doing in the opinion of Jesus! What other opinion matters???