Revelation 3:11
What does Revelation 3:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 3:11 means
“I come quickly” stresses Christ’s nearness and readiness to act. In light of that, they must hold fast what they possess—truth, obedience, and open-door opportunity—so that no one seizes their crown, the reward of faithful perseverance. The warning is not about losing salvation but about forfeiting reward and honor through surrender or compromise. The shortness of time and certainty of Christ’s intervention should steady their grip on what matters most. This is a call to spiritual stability: keep your course, maintain loyalty to his name, and do not let opposition, weariness, or deceit rob you of what he intends to bestow at his coming.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I come quickly: keep that which you have, so that no one may take your crown.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lo, I come quickly, be holding fast that which thou hast, that no one may receive thy crown.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I come quickly: hold fast what thou hast, that no one take thy crown.
Context
After the promise of preservation in verse 10, this verse urges practical perseverance. The mention of Christ’s quick coming links the church’s present faithfulness to future reward and introduces the conqueror’s promise in verse 12. The logic flows from comfort to commitment: since he keeps them, they must keep what they have. The next verse then paints the rich, permanent honors awaiting the overcomer, grounding their endurance in solid hope.
v.10Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
v.11This passage
v.12He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Timothy 2:5
And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.
- 2 Timothy 4:8
henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
- Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.
- Revelation 2:10
Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
- 1 Corinthians 9:25
And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
- Revelation 2:25
Nevertheless that which ye have, hold fast till I come.
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