Rev. 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 upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth." (NIV).
Sincere christians who hold to the pre-tribulation rapture theory often cite this verse, among others, as "proof" that their eschatology is correct. They focus on the second part, ..."I will also keep you from ( ek – meaning, in the midst of,
not away from) the hour of trial...", meaning they expect to raptured, but ignore the first part of this verse, "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently...". This verse has a cause and effect relationship. Since you have
done this, I will
do that. How does one endure patiently and what does it involve? Here are a couple of other references that will give us a clue to what Jesus is telling us. Col. 1:11, "...so that you may have great endurance and patience...", James 1: 3, "... the trying of your faith worketh patience" (KJV) and James 5:10, "Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering..."
The word
patience in these verses conveys the idea of "
endurance in the midst of adversity." This idea can also be found in the prophetic scriptures of Luke 21:16-19, 2 Thess. 1:4, Rev. 13:10 and Rev. 14:12. One should not assume that because some christians in other parts of the world are being martyred and others are going through various trials of sickness, loss of loved ones, minor persecutions, etc. that these qualify what this verse is talking about. They don't! We have had these problems since the day of Christ's Ascension and will continue to have them. This verse is talking about events that will affect
all christians around upon the earth, as the "
hour of trial" will affect the
whole earth.
The word
temptation as used in the KJV of this verse, means a time of testing separate from the Day of the Lord's Wrath. The description of G3986 is “
A putting to proof by experiencing evil” Here is description #3 of the word “proof” from Webster’s – “
The act of testing the truth or validity of something by experiment or trial.” This is what Peter was speaking of in 1 Peter 4:17-18. His wrath is for those who
failed the test! The test is
the Great Tribulation, that short time in the midst of Daniel's 70th week that consists of Satan's wrath against and persecution of the church. Those who "keep the word of His patience" (KJV) are the still present church who will overcome (overcoming, the topic of every letter to the seven churches) the difficulties during the early parts of the 70th week.