Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Revelation 3:11
Waiting is very difficult for many. People are often impatient and can’t stand to have to wait for someone to show up or do something that is needed to occur. Instead of being patient and continue waiting, people give up or try to take a different route. Quitting tends to be easier than holding on to something that is unknown. The less that is directly known, the harder it becomes to wait and trust that everything will work out correctly.
John records Jesus talking to the church of Philadelphia and saying that He is coming quickly. They are told to hold on to what they already have so that no one can take away their crown of life.
Quitting before the end is easy to do, easier than hanging on. This is more true when there is pain and suffering that is occurring during the waiting process. Waiting in an emergency room when one is in extreme pain. It causes fear of the unknown, of what could happen.
People are always searching for the easiest and fastest route through a situation. Holding on and keeping moving forward is not common.
As believers look at this world and how horrible things can be, it can be difficult to keep believing God’s word. All they hear is that Jesus is coming soon, but that has been said for two thousand years. For humans, who only live up to a hundred years, that is a long time. People often lose hope.
In light of eternity, two thousand years is a mere blip in history. Each moment is a moment closer to when Jesus will return and wipe away all sin, suffering, and pain. Believers are not to give up, but hold on to that hope, knowing that there is eternal life coming.
If you have ever had to wait on someone you know that it can be difficult. While humans will let you down, God will never let you down. Jesus promised to return, and return is what He will do. When He returns, He will bring eternal life with Him. Do not give up on His return but continue to have faith and hold on to that faith and hope of His return. It will be worth it in the end–eternal life with God.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know Jesus’ return is soon; that you will hold on to the faith you have in Jesus; and that God will give you strength to overcome sin.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
