This past Saturday night I went with Jess, Jeneale, and their friends to a hockey game. Kind of a big deal . . . haven’t done that since we moved down here. One of the guys had never been to a hockey game so everyone was pretty pumped. And then, when we get there and walk in we’re each given a box. Who knew? It was mascot bobble-head night! Bonus! After the game the kids talked about where they were going to display such a prized trophy. Kind of crazy, but it came to mind as I read this morning something which Jesus said the to the church in Philadelphia.

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Rev. 3:11)

In a word, the church in Philadelphia was faithful. They weren’t a mega-church with tons of resources, in fact, Jesus says they had “a little strength.” But with what they did have, and given the door opened to them by the Lord, they were faithful in keeping His word, and not denying His name though it would cost them. They persevered . . . and for that Jesus commended them. (3:8,10)

And so “He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” (3:7) encourages them to hold fast such that no one would take their crown. The crown, not being their salvation, but being a trophy given to the faithful and righteous. Literally, the word is “wreathe” . . . and referred often to the prize given to victors in public games. It was also presented as an expression of honor or rank. And these believers in Philadelphia had one . . . and were to keep a tight grip on it so that no one would seize it. It was a trophy to be held on to . . . a prize to be valued.

We didn’t go to the hockey game in order to receive a prize . . . and we don’t serve Jesus to receive a prize either. We’ve already gained eternity through the blood of Jesus . . . what more could He give or we gain. But, having said that, just as we received a “bonus” for being among the first 3,000 to enter the arena, so too Jesus, the holy and true One, determines to give out prizes to those who are faithful . . . and, I sense, these crowns are to be valued above any earthly reward.

Unlike our salvation, these crowns can be lost. Either through neglect or compromise or complacency, this prize for a fight well fought can be stolen away. Ours then, is to hold fast . . . not to the crown . . . but to the One who determines to give such honors. It is not the trophy we cherish, but the Giver. It is not the wreathe we pursue, but the faith . . . wanting to live in obedience to the call we’ve received in Christ. We hold fast when we remain faithful. We secure the crown when we steadfastly determine, by the grace of God, to walk in the Spirit through the doors Jesus has opened.

And what will we do with these crowns? The bobble head might go on a desk . . . or a shelf . . . or a car dashboard . . . as reminder of a great night . . . but I don’t think we’ll be placing these crowns in some trophy case as a testament to our faithfulness. I’m guessing we’ll take our lead from the twenty-four elders who are seated around the throne of God and also have a symbol of honor upon their head . . . crowns of gold (Rev. 4:4). And, when heaven is stirred to rise up to give glory and honor and thanks to God Omnipotent!, these twenty-four elders “fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne” (4:9-10). The honor they had received, they return to the King . . . the “well done” they had heard from Him, they re-direct back to the throne as a “to You be the glory!”

Isn’t that the real motivation for contending for the crown . . . for holding fast to this prize given by Jesus for faithfulness? Isn’t so that we would have something to place at His feet . . . to give Him all the honor . . . to ascribe to Him all the glory . . . for His faithfulness and grace in saving us and then enabling us to, in some measure, please Him through faithfulness. Oh, what a prize . . . what a trophy . . . what a King! To Him be glory . . . amen!