Because thou hast kept the words 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. Revelation 3:10
Two great truths emerge from our text today. The first truth is regarding the hour of temptation, time of universal testing that will apply to everybody living in the world st that time. The second great truth is the promise that as Christians, we will not experience that hour of temptation. We will all be in the presence of the Lord Jesus after He has called us unto Himself. As we consider these two great truths, we can also appreciate that both of these events are not far off.
The hour of temptation, or time of testing, is a period of terrible trouble for this poor old world. If we study the details that Scripture provides concerning this time, we can understand what a wonderful promise it was to the Christians that they will not have to experience it. Many of the details are laid out in the rest of the book of Revelation. This period will be marked by the rise of the man of sin, the Antichrist, who will deceive most of the people in the world with his lies and promises and spectacular performances. The deception will be far greater than any of the deceptions by the false religions and cults of our day. Untold millions will fail that test and fall for that temptation. Millions more will fail the testing of the faith that they falsely profess. The Great Tribulation will be marked by the eventual destruction of the great harlot, which is identified as the religion that has so many around us claiming to hold onto. Many Bible scholars identify this evil woman as Roman Catholicizm, and they are probably right. I submit that it also includes all of those who claim membership in so-called Christian churches while never knowing anything about Christ. All of these will fail the test, because religion is not salvation, and church membership is not eternal life. The terrible judgments of the hour of temptation will sweep billions into a lost eternity. This should strike terror into any who are unsaved. And it should give great comfort to those who are saved.
Even now, Christians are sheltered from the worst of tribulations. We are promised that we will not be tried beyond what we are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). We are also enabled by the Holy Spirit to live in accordance with our confession of Christ. With the unfailing resource of the Word of God and the support of the Lord’s people, we face temptations and are able to stand. We should appreciate all of these things all the more knowing that the poor folks left behind when our Lord comes will have none of these resources.
Take courage and comfort in the knowledge that our Lord will appear at any moment. And until He comes, He will help us to bear all the burdens and temptations, because He has already passed the test. -Jim MacIntosh