Prophbuff (28 Apr 2004)
"Patience"

There is more to the promise of Revelation 3:10 then we examined in my previous letter on 4/26/04. It is related to the condition to receive the promise to be kept from the hour of temptation. Let's look at the verse again:
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. [KJV]
As we have seen in my previous letter, temptation, as defined by the scriptures themselves, is something we should expect to be confronted with and persevere through. Link to "The Promise" That God will provide the strength to deliver us through temptation. That we will be rewarded with a crown of life for enduring temptation. That there are those who will fall away when they are confronted with temptation. And that God can never tempt us, and is never the source of temptation [James 1:12-13]. We also learned that the proper Greek interpretation of the phrase "keep thee from" should render this verse as stating: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep an eye upon thee, by guarding thee, so that ye may safely emerge from within the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." This is the same context that we see in relation to the word Temptation [Greek: Peirasmos].
But there is another key to the meaning of this promise. It is the word "patience" [Greek: Hupomone]. This word means: steadfastness, constancy, endurance. It is sometimes translated as "enduring". When we look at the contextual use of this word we will see harmonious truths directly related to Rev 3:10, and the passages discussing the subject of temptation. Let's use a table to compare the scriptures with the same Greek words and teachings [KJV]:

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth

Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

2 Cor 1:4-6 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2 Thes 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

James 5:10-11 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience [Greek: Makrothumia]. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

In the left column are scriptures which teach of patience "Hupomone". Pay particular attention to the context of all these scriptures as compared to Rev 3:10. In the right column are scriptures we previously examined concerning temptation "Peirasmos". I submit to you that we see the exact same message in all these scriptures regarding patience and temptation. None of these scriptures teach a removal beforehand, they all teach endurance through. In the account of the Olivet Discourse as given by Luke, Yeshua said: "In your patience possess ye your souls" [Luke 21:19].
Moreover, patience "Hupomone" is in focus throughout the book of Revelation. This Greek word is used more in Revelation then any other book of the Bible. John opens the book in verse 1 saying, "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ". One of the important characteristics of several of the churches is patience [Rev 2:2 / 2:3 / 2:19 and of course 3:10]. And the saints living through the Great Tribulation are assigned this characteristic relating to their endurance through the tribulation.
Revelation 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The condition of the promise is again in focus "thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation"
Finally, why did John use the word "temptation" in Rev 3:10 instead of "tribulation" if the message being communicated was supposed to mean a removal before the period of time called the "tribulation"? I submit to you that it is because of the already well established teaching that we are to endure through temptation with patience. This verse just restates the same teaching as being applicable to the time of the Great Tribulation. For the followers of Yeshua, the events of the Great Tribulation will be a temptation to fall away, and according to scripture many will [2 Thes 2:3]. If we endure with the word of His patience he will help us endure through it.
We will be overcomers!
Shalom, Chris AKA Prophbuff

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.	1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
2 Cor 1:4-6 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.	1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2 Thes 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:	2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.	James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
James 5:10-11 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience [Greek: Makrothumia]. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.