Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
Faithfulness in our journey on earth will result in victory in the end. This verse is used by some interpreters to add support for how true believers will be raptured before the tribulation. This verse does not specifically say this, but it could be used as a secondary support for this idea. What the verse does indicate is that Jesus will provide protection during the “hour of trial.” One question of this verse is the meaning of this phrase. It could simply refer to any time of testing believers will go through. If we emphasize the word “the,” it makes the hour more specific, a special time of testing. The verb that follows is present tense but there is a participle that means “about to.” So, the trial is “about to come”. This trial is coming upon the “whole earth.” It will test everyone. What is the purpose of this testing? To determine who is faithful to Jesus. Those who have been faithful have nothing to fear because Jesus will keep them from the trial.
We all face various trials. This verse talks about a significant time when all people will go through a trial. The small trials we face now test our faithfulness and provide opportunity for our faith to grow in preparation for the big trial that will come someday. James 1: 2-3 shows the positive aspect of facing our trials now: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
For older posts, click here.