Epistle 385
George Fox's Epistle 385 emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to Christ and the sustaining power of His word during trials.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in Christ, who is our sanctuary and source of peace, rest, and salvation. He encourages the faithful to keep the word of patience and the testimony of Jesus, assuring them that those who endure will be kept safe during trials. Fox highlights the significance of the word of God, which reconciles and strengthens believers through all afflictions. He calls for a bold confession of Christ before others, reminding them that true faithfulness leads to salvation. His message is a reminder of the eternal hope and strength found in Christ amidst life's challenges.
Text
Dear friends,--With my love to all the prisoners and the faithful, as though I named them. It is the time now for all the faithful to keep in Christ their sanctuary, in whom you have all peace, rest, life, and salvation, and by the testimony of Jesus, and the blood of the Lamb [Rev 12:11], whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life, before the foundation of the world [Rev 21:27/17:18], they were they that did overcome [Rev 12:11], and did eat of the hidden manna, and had the new name [Rev 2:17].
And therefore now is the time to keep the word of patience , and the testimony of Jesus; for they that keep the word of patience, the Lord will keep them in the hour of temptation, which will come upon the whole world, to try them which dwell upon the earth [Rev 3:10]; for the word was before the world was, and the <233> tempter; for all things were made by the word [John 1:3].
And it is also the word of reconciliation [2 Cor 5:17], the word of power [Heb 1:3], the word of wisdom [1 Cor 12:8], and the word of life [1 Jn 1:1], and the word of salvation [Acts 13:26], by which people are reconciled to God, that are born again of the incorruptible seed by the word of God [1 Pet 1:23]; and they feed and grow by the milk of the word [1 Pet 2:2], which lives, and abides, and endures for ever [1 Pet 1:23], which strengthens all the faithful, in all ages, in all their afflictions, imprisonments, and sufferings; and it is the same to God's people now in this day of trial, to preserve all his people every where, in his spirit and power, faithful to himself; for, he that endures faithful to the end shall be saved [Mat 10:22].
And Christ saith, 'He that is ashamed of me before men, him will I be ashamed of before my Father, and his angels which are in heaven [Mat 10:33/Luke 9:26].' And therefore it is good to confess Christ before men [Mat 10:32], to be your priest, prophet, your shepherd, your bishop [1 Pet 2:25], your way, your mediator, that makes your peace betwixt God and you; and be valiant for his glorious name and truth upon the earth [Jer 9:3]. And so with my love in the seed, in which you and all nations are blessed [Gen 22:18].
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of keeping Christ as our sanctuary - The peace, rest, life, and salvation found in Christ - The significance of the testimony of Jesus
- II points: - The call to keep the word of patience - The promise of protection during trials - The eternal nature of the word
- III points: - The role of the word in reconciliation with God - The process of spiritual growth through the word - The enduring strength provided by the word
- IV points: - The call to endure faithfulness to the end - The importance of confessing Christ before men - Being valiant for Christ's name and truth
Key Quotes
“It is the time now for all the faithful to keep in Christ their sanctuary.” — George Fox
“He that endures faithful to the end shall be saved.” — George Fox
“It is good to confess Christ before men.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Seek refuge in Christ during difficult times to find peace and strength.
- Commit to enduring faithfulness and confessing your faith openly.
- Engage with the word of God daily to grow spiritually and remain steadfast.