What does Revelation 2:25 mean?

But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. Revelation 2:25

Explanation

Revelation 2:25, “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come,” is part of a message to the church in Thyatira, as recorded in the book of Revelation. This verse exhorts the believers to maintain their faith and hold on to the truths and moral teachings they have received. The phrase “till I come” is a direct reference to the Second Coming of Christ, and it emphasizes the need for perseverance and faithfulness until that event occurs. The exhortation to “hold fast” indicates that there may be external pressures, temptations, or persecutions trying to sway the believers away from their steadfastness in their Christian life and doctrines.

Historical Context

The church of Thyatira, mentioned in Revelation 2:18-29, was one of the seven churches to which John the Apostle addresses messages from Christ in the book of Revelation. Thyatira was a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), known for its trade guilds and commerce. The message to Thyatira includes praise for their love, faith, and service but also contains a rebuke for tolerating false teachings and moral compromises, possibly influenced by the pagan practices prevalent in the city. The verse in question, Revelation 2:25, comes as part of the commendation and counsel given to the faithful remnant within the church.

Theological Insights

Theological insights into this verse touch upon several significant Christian doctrines:

• Perseverance of the Saints: This verse aligns with the belief that true believers will persevere in faith until the end, which is a characteristic of their salvation.
• Second Coming of Christ: The reference to Christ’s coming underlines the eschatological hope cherished by early Christians and emphasizes the imminence of His return.
• Sanctification: It implicitly deals with the doctrine of sanctification, suggesting that believers need to grow in holiness and hold fast to the moral and ethical standards given by Christ.

From various theological perspectives, like Arminianism, the verse could be seen as a call to continued cooperation with divine grace to remain faithful. In Calvinistic interpretations, this could underline the doctrine of perseverance, where the elect will inevitably hold fast until Christ returns.

Practical Applications

Practically, Revelation 2:25 encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith despite adversities. It calls for resilience in spiritual commitment and moral integrity. In today’s context, this could mean resisting societal pressures to compromise on Biblical truth, maintaining one’s convictions in the face of persecution, or simply persevering in good works and spiritual disciplines as they await Christ’s return.

Cross-References

• Revelation 3:11 – “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
• 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:15 – “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
• Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase “hold fast” is translated from the word “κρατήσατε” (kratēsate), which means “to seize,” “to grasp tightly,” or “to retain.” It conveys the sense of actively and firmly holding on to something without letting it go. The original language thus emphasizes the action and determination required to maintain one’s hold on the faith.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, perseverance and fidelity were widely valued, for instance in Stoicism, which encouraged a firm adherence to virtue regardless of external circumstances. In terms of religious comparisons, many ancient religions and myths emphasized loyalty to one’s gods and principles in the face of trial, such as the tales of heroes in Greek mythology or the steadfastness required in mystery religions for initiation and deeper knowledge.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not typically intersect directly with the exhortations of Revelation 2:25, as it speaks to issues of faith and spiritual commitment. However, psychology studies resilience and perseverance, which could offer insights into the human capacity to “hold fast” to beliefs and values under stress, providing a broad corollary to the text’s directive.

commentaries

Various Bible scholars and theologians have commented on Revelation 2:25:

• Matthew Henry interprets this passage as encouragement to faithful Christians to hold fast to the good despite temptations to let go.
• John MacArthur emphasizes the anticipation of Christ’s return as a motive for the believer’s perseverance.
• Albert Barnes notes that this was an admonition particularly suitable for ‘those who were in circumstances of trial, or who were in danger of being led away by the temptations of the world.’

These and other commentators generally agree that maintaining faith and moral standards in the anticipation of Christ’s return is a central theme in the verse.