Thus spake Christ to the angel of the church at Philadelphia. A crown is a sign of glory and of victory. Earthly kings used to wear crowns. But in the kingdom of God all those who are faithful, and endure in the faith to the end shall receive a crown.
"Behold", give heed, take notice. "I come quickly." Christ promised his disciples before He ascended into heaven, that He would come again. "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." And the angels told the Lord's disciples: "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." They should live in expectation of his coming, "looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God." They should watch. "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come unto thee."
"Hold that fast which thou hast." Only what you have received, can you hold fast. What had the church at Philadelphia received? They had received the Word of God, and had kept it. Now the Lord would keep them from the hour of temptation, and afterwards they would receive the crown, already laid up for them in heaven, the crown of righteousness. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life."
Prayer
O God, in this world we have tribulation, and there is the hour of temptation. There is Satan, who goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Thou hast given us precious promises in Thy holy Word; but we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot hold them fast, unless Thou dost strengthen us and protect us. We thank Thee that we know that Thou are faithful, that Thou wilt establish us, and keep us from evil and from falling. O God, make us faithful, make us strong in the Lord, and keep us by Thy power through faith unto salvation. Amen.
Scripture in Devotional: John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 2 Pet. 3:12; Rev. 3:3, 10; 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:10.