There is a powerful promise in the book of Revelation that I absolutely love! Jesus pledges to keep His followers completely out of the hour of trial: a trial that is to come upon the whole world and all that are alive at the time. Why this special protection? It’s His response to those who have steadfastly ‘kept the word of His patience’ through every circumstance.

Philippians 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 1:7  So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

1 Thessalonians 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Jude 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Romans 8:19-23  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  (20)  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,  (21)  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  (22)  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  (23)  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

The mark of a true believer is a longing for Christ’s appearing. This ‘authentic’ new birth is found in those who have truly repented and become new creations in Him. But we aren’t just meant to wait idly; we are told to ‘occupy’ until He comes. To ‘occupy’ means to be engaged in the business of the Kingdom, winning souls, strengthening the Church, and being a vessel for the Holy Spirit. We don’t just wait for the end; we work until the end!

Now let’s go back and look at Revelation 3:10. Jesus says that He will keep us “from” the hour of “temptation.” There are two things here that I want you to look at:

• The Greek word for “from” is “ek,” which means “out of.” This where we get our word exit. Strong’s defines it as “A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote) This does not mean that God will protect the Church through the Tribulation period, as some believe. Jesus said He will keep us out of the Tribulation period.
• Secondly, the word temptation is used in the verse. This is not referring to being tempted to sin. The word temptation here is referring to a trial. Greek word is “peirasmos” which Strong’s defines as: From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: – temptation, X try. Jesus is saying that the Tribulation period will be a time that the world will experience extreme evil. It is a trial that no would willingly want to go through if they knew what was to come.

God has always provided a way of escape for His people, just as He did for Noah and his family in the midst of a corrupt world. We can trust that He will do the same for the Church. Scripture identifies us as the Bride of Christ, and 2 Corinthians 11:2 explains that we are betrothed to Him. As our future Husband, Christ’s nature is to protect. No devoted husband would stand by and let his wife face destruction or endure violence. Ephesians 5:25-27 outlines the sacrificial and protective role of a husband, a standard that the Lord perfectly fulfills for His Church. This fits beautifully into the pre-Tribulation Rapture teaching!

In a future post, we will cover why the Church won’t go through God’s wrath. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!