April 23 – The Reward for Those Who Endure

Revelation 3:11 –
"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." (NIV)

SITREP:
When you’re running low on strength and the end is in sight, do you let up—or grip tighter? Perseverance means holding firm to your faith until the end. Stay steadfast, and your reward is secure.

This verse is part of Jesus’ direct message to the church in Philadelphia in the book of Revelation. Out of the seven churches addressed, Philadelphia was one of only two that received no rebuke. They were small in number, facing pressure and persecution, but they held fast. Jesus doesn’t give them new instructions—He gives them a warning and a promise: “Hold on to what you have.”

He’s not talking about material possessions. He’s speaking of faith, obedience, truth, and loyalty. And the reward? A crown—not of royalty, but of victory. The Greek word refers to the wreath given to athletes or warriors who had completed their race or campaign. It was an emblem of endurance and triumph.

• "I am coming soon…" – This is a reminder that the end is closer than we think. Stay ready.
• "Hold on to what you have…" – Don’t lose ground. Don’t let fatigue or temptation take what you’ve fought for.
• "So that no one will take your crown." – The enemy can’t steal what’s sealed in Christ—but he can tempt you to lay it down. Don’t give him that chance.

How This Applies to a Soldier’s Faith:
If you’ve served, you know the mission isn’t over until the last objective is secured. You don’t loosen your grip just because the fight has been long. You stay locked in until the final command.

• "I am coming soon…"
• Soldiers stay alert. They anticipate movement. Spiritually, this means keeping your heart, mind, and priorities mission-ready.
• "Hold on to what you have…"
• Grip your faith like your rifle—tight and deliberate. Don’t let distractions, bitterness, or fatigue pry it from your hands.
• "So that no one will take your crown…"
• You’re not earning your salvation—you’re holding onto it. You’ve come too far to turn back. Finish the mission.

Revelation 3:11 isn’t a gentle encouragement—it’s a battlefield directive: Don’t stop now. You’re almost there.

ENDEX:
A warrior doesn’t throw down his weapon when the fight is almost won. Revelation 3:11 is your call to tighten your grip. The crown of victory is already prepared—but you’ve got to cross the finish line to receive it.

Stay alert. Hold fast. The enemy wants to wear you down, to steal your hope, to distract you just before the end. Don’t let him.

You’re closer than you think. Hold the line, stay locked in, and finish what you started.

AAR (After Action Review):
If you’ve ever been tempted to let go but chose instead to hold fast—share that story. Someone else might be inches from giving up and need to hear that the crown is still within reach.

Make your voice count—share what you’ve lived.

Share your experiences in the comments below. Your words could encourage someone else walking a similar path.

If you're comfortable, include as much or as little personal detail as you’d like. We suggest:

• Name
• Veteran, Retired, Family Member etc.
• Service Branch
• Years of Service (or Deployment Dates and Locations)

Every story matters—and yours might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.