A Hand Along the Journey: Poems for the King from One Pilgrim to Another

  Revelation 2:12-17   We all hold fast to something; Top priority assigning, It’s worth promoting and protecting, Advancing and defending.   Believers at Pergamos were the same. Some valued and held fast to Christ’s name, Even in a city whose allegiance Satan claimed. Not even martyrdom could change their holy aim.   Others held fast to mis-guided Christian liberty; The same word “hold” described their tenacity. “Enjoy what you will, you have security;” But living like this had fettered the free.   Jesus told them repent, or face Him as foe. Trade idols’ meat, His manna to know. Instead of a stumblingblock, receive a white stone – A vote of His favor, a new name of their own.   Against all* that would from Christ detract, May holding fast to Your name be what I enact Day in and day out, because of the fact That I am Your own by salvation’s pact.   *This is a word play on the name Antipas , whom Jesus mentioned in verse 13.

  Revelation 2:8-11 Contrasting word pictures to Smyrna were given In the message Jesus told John should be written. Surely His words helped them back then, And they still extend courage as I read them again.   Jesus is the First and the Last. My Lord is both “protos” at the very beginning, and “eschatos” when all else has seen ending.   He was dead and is alive. Though He once became dead because He loved me, the Author of Life lives eternally.   He knew they were poor, but said they were rich. He saw their hardships of poverty and testing, yet their treasure in heaven this earth was besting.   He knew the blasphemy of those who claimed to be Jews, but were a synagogue of Satan. Some insulted the truth of God Whose worship they feigned, but He saw their origins; false claims won’t be sustained.   “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer.” ‘None of those things?’ Jesus, are You sure? He is; over terror His peace shall endure.   You will have tribulation ten days. In the momen