3:10 Because you have kept the word of my perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.
Because you have kept the word of my perseverance,
The expression "the word of my perseverance" is somewhat difficult to understand. That is, other translations use phrases such as "command about patience"(Chinese), "kept the word of my patience"(NIV), and "the word enjoining Christ's patient endurance"(Ladd). "Perseverence" enbodies the concept of a goal to obtain, while "patience" is a concept of attitude during the time to obtain the goal. This Revelation study establishes the "goal" as a forever-life in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22).
To suffer for Christ and to persevere are two 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 also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.
This, too, is controversial. What is the hour of testing (trial)? What does "keep you from" mean? The phrase 'those who dwell upon the earth' refers to unbelievers as they are the object of God's wrath, that is, 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 hour 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 wrath talked about here is for unbelievers, 'those who dwell upon the earth'.
The term "keep you from" 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 from" 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, the arguing of the meaning of these phrases is not that important. It is important, though, that this promise goes only to whose who have KEPT the Word (read it, know it, believed it, and lived it!) through ALL persecution. Compare this "keeping" with the promise given to Smyrna church (Revelation 2:10).