HOLD FAST TILL I COME!
But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. Revelation 2:25.
Do you know what you have already? After you are saved by the Lord Jesus, you should know what the Lord has given to you as you need to take care of such things throughout your journey on this earth. As most of us unaware of these things, they might lose them. It is better to say our enemy may steal them from you! Let us see some of the things the Lord has granted to you.
In this connection, the following verse may be considered an example to understand what the Lord has granted to you.. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet : Luke 15:22. We know that each letter of the Bible has its own significance and spiritual meaning too.
In the context of the above parable, the father has given three important things to his prodigal son. These are given to him after his son has repented for his rebellion (or disobedience to his father) against his father.
- The best robe
- A ring to his hand
- Shoes to his feet
If we take this verse or context of the parable from the spiritual point of view, it tells us what the Lord has granted to you after you have repented for your sins and accepted the Lord as your savior.
Let us see in detail:
- The best robe:
This robe represents the garment of salvation and the wedding garment. It has been given to you when you have accepted him as your savior. If you are unaware of this fact, it is purely your own ignorance and you are only responsible to answer His questions during his visitation. It is not possible to enter the kingdom of God with the garment of salvation.
In this connection, it is relevant to read this verse: And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment : and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment ? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness ; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 22: 11-13.
Here we need to understand that church, wherein you are a member, is going to marry the Lamb. We all wait for this great occasion. You are part of the marriage. You need the wedding garment to be part of this. This is the reason for his asking a man who has no wedding garment. The Bible says-Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Revelation 19: 7-8.
Therefore, it is important —
- To know that you are given a garment of salvation/wedding garment
- You need to keep this garment with you till you reach His kingdom. In this connection, read this verse- Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Revelation 16: 15.
- If you do not keep this with you, he may ask you – Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment ? And he was speechless. Matthew 22: 11-13.
2.A ring to his hand:
Ring from the father represents his delegation of the authority. Sometimes, it may also mean full authority granted as a representative. In this regard, read this verse: And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck ; and he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had ; and they cried before him, Bow the knee : and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:41-43. In this verse, you may see the symbolic meaning of the ring given by the King Pharaoh to Joseph. It conveys the transfer of authority. If the earthly king gives a ring to a mortal man means transfer of authority, how much more does it mean when the King of Kings gives it you? and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Revelation 1:6.
The father of the prodigal son has given the ring to him. This would mean that the son has regained his lost authority to be with his father. To live in a king’s house as an heir, you need to be his son or daughter. You know you have become his heir. (And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son ; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:6-7). It is generally accepted that son of king has the authority too.
Therefore, you should not lose this authority given to you to be an heir in the kingdom of God. Never lose your Ring of authority to be HIS heir!
3.Shoes to his feet
In the context verse, the prodigal son is ready to do any work under the sun. In fact, after he has left his Father, He has lost everything he has! He is even ready to work under Satan. This can be seen in this verse: And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. Luke 15: 15. Usually, the swine is said to be unclean animal and uncleanness represents the Devil. In this regard, read this verse: And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you : ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass. Deuteronomy 14: 8.
But the same prodigal son, after his repentance, has been given shoes to his feet. Usually, we put on shoes when we go out but not when we come into house. In this context, the son has been given shoes while he is coming into his father’s house. Therefore, the shoes have their own significance. Shoes represent your readiness to do His work. Read this verse: and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace Ephesians 6: 15. This tells us that you are also given shoes and have the responsibility to work for His gospel. The same prodigal son, who has worked to feed the swine, now has to do his father’s work. Therefore, it can be understood that you are also given shoes to do his work to spread the gospel. From the above, it may be understood how important to know and keep all that the Lord has given to you!