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A Friend with Tacos

Words of Faith Final

A Friend with Tacos

Words of Faith 12-9-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

www.faithfellowshipweb.com

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Revelation 3

[10]  Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. [11]  I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

 

       The believer is called to endure patiently. These were difficult times in Philadelphia.  While there was no significant Roman persecution, it was a pagan culture all around. And this element within the Jewish community rejected the message of believers.

        The answer from the Lord is to endure… patiently. The reward for that patience was a promise. I will keep you from the hour of trial coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

        We may sometimes wonder if all this is really “worth it.”  By keeping the word of Christ with patient endurance, there is a reward. We will be preserved through times of testing. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22) brought forth in times of difficulty.

        Some see this verse to point to a mid-tribulation rapture of the church—part of a promise to remove the church—all true believers in Christ—prior to the worst of the wrath to be poured out in the future.

         This may be the case. But it is worth noting that the Greek word here is not thlipsis, commonly translated as "tribulation."  The Greek word is one for adversity, proving, or temptation.  And “keep from” grammatically does not mean removal from trials, but protection through trial (John 17:15; 1 John 5:18). This is most likely not about rapture.

         But there is a promise that he is coming soon [11]. He is a friend and hope that is coming soon.  Four times in Revelation, Jesus says, "I am coming soon."

         I love the Greek word used here. It is takh-oos – and can be translated “soon” or promptly.”  It is also translated “quickly” or “swiftly” conveying suddenness. It probably speaks more of the manner of His coming in suddenness than it does a measure of time until His return.

         The way I remember this word is to see that He is a friend… coming with Tacos… “I am coming with Takh-oos.” (Now that is a good friend!)  When coming with Tacos—one comes swiftly. 

         Titus 2:13 describes the believer as "Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”  The return of Christ could occur at any time—and when it does, it will happen quickly… Suddenly.

         He is a friend who holds fast. So we are called to hold fast. [11b] Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Hold fast to Jesus, and he will hold fast to you.

         Our biggest danger in the good times (Sardis) or in the hard times (Smyrna) is that we will lose our grip and slip away. Christian faith is not about a dramatic beginning. It is entirely about holding fast with patient endurance. Holding fast to the Truth of His Word and the

hope of His coming. This is not about our salvation being snatched away from us. But it is about our crown that is our reward, as we are victorious in Christ.

 

        Father God, may I be found holding fast. May I patiently endure the manner of things around me as I wait patiently for my blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His Name.

 

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)       

2820 Business Center Blvd.

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.