What Saith the Scripture?
http://www.WhatSaithTheScripture.com/
Hold the Fort, for I Am Coming!
"Behold, I come quickly: HOLD THAT FAST which thou hast, that no man take thy
Crown"
(Revelation 3:11).
by Katie Stewart
10-10-2001
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preface
The United States in particular, and the world at large, are about to experience
the unthinkable. America has already seen that which she has never seen before, as
of September 11, 2001. [Read "Christian Response to Terrorism" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Fellowship/Response.to.Terrorism.html
-- concerning the attacks on the World Trade
Center and the Pentagon.] Such carnage and destruction
from a foreign enemy on our own homeland soil should cause the Disobedient Professed
Christians of this once God-Blessed Nation to fall to their knees and beg the LORD
for forgiveness. "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of My mouth" (Revelation
3:16). Lukewarm Christianity has caused pollution to
our land, and we have sown our seeds of uncleanness to an already dying world. "For
the time is come that Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin
at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?" (1Peter 4:17).
To the real Christians of America, and wherever else they may be in the wide world,
"hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy Crown" (Revelation 3:11), for "when
these things begin to come to pass, then look UP, and lift UP your heads; for your
Redemption [Jesus Christ] draweth nigh" (Luke
21:28).
Hold the Fort
by Philip P. Bliss
(1838-1876)
"Ho, my comrades! see the signal waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.
Refrain:
Hold the fort, for I am coming, Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven, By Thy grace we will."
--from the website: The CyberHymnal -- http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/o/holdfort.htm
--
The JUDGE Of All The Earth Is Coming
To all the world, the United States of America claims to be a "Christian nation,"
even though we have shamefully dragged the LORD's Holy Name through the mire of our
corruption and disgusting testimony. But the "Judge Of All The Earth" (Genesis 18:25) is coming,
and He is going to set His Witness straight. "I will make darkness Light before
them, and crooked things Straight" (Isaiah
42:16). Therefore, the following Warnings ring just
as valid for the USA as for named "Israel", for New Testament Scripture
states that the true Jew is one of a circumcised heart. '28 For he is not a Jew, which is one
outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew, which is
one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the
letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God' (Romans
2:28-29). The Warning is to those who claim to be--
but live the proof that they are NOT-- the people of God, the children of God.
"2 Hear, O Heavens, and give ear, O Earth: for the LORD hath spoken,
I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me.
3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth NOT know,
My people doth NOT consider. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a
seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken
the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone
away backward...
7 Your country
is desolate, your cities are BURNED with fire: your land, STRANGERS DEVOUR IT IN
YOUR PRESENCE, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers...
9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small
remnant [i.e., those in whom the Restraining Power of the Holy Spirit indwells, "The
remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" (Psalm
76:10)], we should have been as Sodom, and we
should have been like unto Gomorrah. 10 Hear the Word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the
Law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me?
saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings... and I delight not in the blood
of bullocks... 12
When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread My
courts? 13 Bring
no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the New Moons and
Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even
the solemn meeting. 14
Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hateth: they are a trouble unto
Me; I am weary to bear them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from
you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your
doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 learn to do well; seek Judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the
fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good
of the land: 20
but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the Sword: for the mouth
of the LORD hath spoken it.
21 How is the
faithful city become an harlot! it WAS full of Judgment; Righteousness lodged in
it; but now murderers. 22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: 23 thy princes are rebellious,
and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts [bribes], and followeth
after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the
widow come unto them.
24 Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the
Mighty One of Israel,
Ah, I will ease Me of Mine adversaries, and avenge Me of Mine enemies: 25 and I WILL TURN MY HAND
UPON THEE, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: 28 and the destruction of the
transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake
the LORD shall be consumed"
(Isaiah 1:2-4,7,9-25,28).
Listen to the Warning of the LORD, those who profess the
Name of Christ Jesus as your LORD and Master. "34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith
shall it be seasoned? 35
It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out.
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Luke
14:34-35). There should be a CLEAR separation between
the people of God and the people who don't obey God. "28 Now we, Brethren, as Isaac was, are
the Children of Promise. 29
But as then he that was born after the flesh [Ishmael] persecuted him that was born
after the Spirit [Isaac], even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? Cast out the bondwoman
and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall NOT be heir with the son of the
freewoman... 5:1
STAND FAST therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us Free, and be
not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Galatians
4:28-30; 5:1).
The hour is late. The "Judge Of All The Earth" (Genesis
18:25), "Jesus Christ the Righteous" (1John 2:1), is about to begin
the Visitation of His Verdict upon us. "12 When [I] come into an house, [I will] salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, [I will]
let [My] Peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, [I will] let [My] Peace return
to [Me]. 14 And
whosoever shall not receive [Me], nor hear [My] Words, when [I] depart out of that
house or city, [I will] shake off the dust of [My] feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of
Sodom and Gomorrha in the Day of Judgment, than for that city" (Matthew 10:12-15), for "he
that despiseth Me despiseth Him [the Heavenly Father] that sent Me" (Luke 10:16).
The LORD's return is close upon our heels. "Not every one that saith unto Me,
LORD, LORD, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that DOETH the Will of
My Father which is in Heaven" (Matthew
7:21). Don't force the LORD to say to you, "I never
knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (7:23).
"46 Why call ye Me, LORD, LORD, and do NOT the things which I Say?
47 Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My Sayings, and
DOETH them, I will show you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged
deep,
and laid the Foundation on a Rock:
and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not
shake it:
for it was founded upon a Rock.
49 But he that
heareth, and doeth not,
is like a man that without a foundation
built an house upon the Earth;
against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell;
and the ruin of that house was great"
(Luke 6:46-49).
Hold Fast
But to those who claim to be-- and live the proof that they truly ARE-- the people
of God, the children of God, there must be the removal of the Righteous, His remnant,
His Virgin Bride, prior to the Great Judgment. "Because thou hast KEPT THE WORD
of My Patience, I also will keep thee from the Hour of Temptation, which shall
come upon ALL the world, to try them that dwell upon the Earth" (Revelation 3:10).
"And there shall be a Time of Trouble,
such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:
and at that time Thy people shall be delivered,
every one that shall be found written in the Book"
(Daniel 12:1).
The Character of God assures us that "against any of
the children of Israel [of the 'circumcision... of the heart, in the spirit,
and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God' (Romans 2:29)] shall not a dog move
his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put
a difference between the Egyptians and Israel" (Exodus
11:7). "That be FAR from Thee to do after this
manner, to slay the Righteous with the Wicked: and that the Righteous should be as
the Wicked, that be far from Thee: Shall not the Judge Of All The Earth do RIGHT?"
(Genesis 18:25).
Though the ground below your feet quake, though the sky above your head smokes black,
though fires rise to threaten your way, "HOLD THAT FAST which thou hast"
(Revelation 3:11),
and listen to Paul's encouragement. "17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk
so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you
even weeping, that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose God
is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is
in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the LORD Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change
our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His Glorious Body, according to
the Working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. 4:1 Therefore, my Brethren,
dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so STAND FAST IN THE LORD, my dearly
beloved. 4 Rejoice
in the LORD alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The LORD is at hand.
6 Be careful for
nothing [do not worry]; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians
3:17-21; 4:1,4-7).
"HOLD FAST"...
"CONTINUE"...
and be "STEDFAST"...
"7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is Holy, He that is True, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an OPEN DOOR, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are NOT, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I HAVE LOVED THEE. 10 BECAUSE THOU HAST KEPT THE WORD OF MY PATIENCE, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION, WHICH SHALL COME UPON ALL THE WORLD, TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH. 11 Behold, I come quickly: HOLD THAT FAST which thou hast, that no man take thy Crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the Name of My God, and the name of the City of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of Heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My New Name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:7-13).
Conclusion
With "wars and rumours of wars" (Matthew
24:6) all around us, and the Great Tribulation looming
large before us, "Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election
sure" (2 Peter 1:10).
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let
us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews
12:1) that our LORD Jesus Christ "might know the
proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things" (2Corinthians
2:9). Don't quit! Don't give cause to the gainsayers
to blaspheme your Sweet Saviour. Don't break His heart and cause Him more pain. Hasn't
He suffered enough for your sin? Do not "fall away... [and] crucify to [yourself]
the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame" (Hebrews
6:6). For, if you "draw back", His "Soul
shall have no pleasure in [you]" (Hebrews
10:38).
Claim the Promises of God to KEEP you in the Way until His Return. "Whereby
are given unto us Exceeding Great and Precious Promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust" (2Peter 1:4). [Please read our article,
"Exceeding Great and Precious Promises" -- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Promises/Exceeding.Promises.html
-- for help with this concept.] "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
through the Knowledge of the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning"
(2Peter 2:20).
You must have the LORD's Intervention if you are to succeed, for He promises, "I
am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth
forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do NOTHING" (John
15:5). Only the LORD can make you "hold the fort."
"3:8 STAND
FAST in the LORD... 13
To the end HE may stablish your hearts unblameable in Holiness before God,
even our Father, at the COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST with all His Saints. 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech
you, Brethren, and exhort you by the LORD Jesus, that as ye have received of us how
ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what Commandments
we gave you by the LORD Jesus. 3 For this is the Will of God, even your Sanctification, that
ye should abstain from fornication: 4 that every one of you should KNOW HOW to possess his vessel in
Sanctification and Honour" (1Thessalonians
3:8,13; 4:1-4).
"8 Finally, Brethren, whatsoever things are True, whatsoever things
are Honest, whatsoever things are Just, whatsoever things are Pure, whatsoever things
are Lovely, whatsoever things are of Good Report; if there be any Virtue, and if
there be any Praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard,
and seen in me, DO: and the God of Peace shall be with you"
(Philippians 4:8-9).
"See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty men around us falling, courage almost gone!"
Refrain
See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader's Name we triumph over every foe."
Refrain
Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!
Refrain:
Hold the fort, for I am coming, Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to Heaven, By Thy grace we will."
"Hold the Fort"
-- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Poetry/Hymnal.Poetry.html#Hold the Fort --
by Philip P. Bliss (1838-1876)
in our "Poetry" section, "Hymnal Poetry"
Related Topics:
Behold,
I Come Quickly
-- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/Fellowship/Edit_Behold.I.Come.Quickly.html --
and visit our
"Promises"
-- http://WhatSaithTheScripture.com/WStS.Promises.html
--
section for Divine Assurances of His Help
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