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  10Because you have obeyed my command to endure, I will keep you safe during the time of testing which is coming to the whole world to test those living on earth.
    Because you have OBEYED my command to endure,
The Philadelphian members receive an extra promise (other than the one that goes to the 'overcomers'). The expression "my command to endure" is somewhat difficult to understand. The New International Version translates it as "kept my command to endure patiently"; Ladd translates it as "the word enjoining Christ's patient endurance".

In either case, to suffer for Christ and to persevere is one of the greatest tests of our Christian faith. Paul repeatedly endured -- Philippians 1:29-30, encouraged -- 2 Thessalonians 3:5, even as Christ did - Hebrews 12:3. We are to TAKE HEART!

    I will keep you safe during the time of testing which is coming to the whole world to test those living on earth.
This, too, is controversial. What is the time of testing? What does "keep you safe" mean? The phrase 'those living on earth' refers to unbelievers as they are the object of God's wrath, i.e. worshippers of the beast. (Revelation 6:10, Revelation 8:13, Revelation 11:10, Revelation 12:12, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:14). Furthermore, God will pass judgment on the nations - Isaiah 24 and Jeremiah 13:12-14.

That this is the wrath of God is indicated by 'the time of testing'.

That is not to say Christians won't have testing...they do. It's called persecution. But they will not suffer this particular kind of God's wrath It seems that God has different forms of wrath. The one talked about here is for unbelievers, 'those who live on earth'.

The term "keep you safe" is most often interpreted as "to be kept from being present" or as it is sometimes called - The Rapture. John 14:2-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Philippians 3:20-21, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 support Christ's coming again and receiving us into the heavenly mansions. However, "keep you safe" could also be interpreted as "to be preserved through it" not unlike the 144,000 witnesses of Revelation 7:4 who are "sealed" or protected from harm.

At any rate, to argue of the meaning of these phrases is not that important. It is important, though, that this promise goes only to whose who have OBEYED the command (lived it!) through ALL persecution. (Compare this "obeying" with the promise given to Smyrna church - Revelation 2:10).
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