Revelation 3:10 kjv

Because thou hast kept the word 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 nkjv

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:10 niv

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Revelation 3:10 esv

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:10 nlt

"Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.

Revelation 3 verses

Revelation 3 10 Meaning

Revelation 3:10 delivers a divine promise of preservation from a coming global tribulation to those who have demonstrated patient endurance and faithfulness to Christ's word. It highlights God's reciprocal action: because the church of Philadelphia had kept His command to persevere, He, in turn, promises to keep them from a universally encompassing hour of testing designed to assay all who reside on the earth.

Revelation 3 10 Context

Revelation 3:10 is part of Christ's specific message to the church in Philadelphia, one of the seven churches of Asia Minor. This church stands out as one of only two (along with Smyrna) that receives no rebuke from Christ. Its members are commended for their perseverance despite having "little power" (Rev 3:8). They had kept Christ's word and had not denied His name, facing opposition, likely from the local Jewish synagogue which is called a "synagogue of Satan" (Rev 3:9). This verse directly follows Christ's praise and promises to Philadelphia, promising them an unparalleled blessing due to their steadfastness. The immediate context is a reward for their enduring faith, set against the backdrop of a significant, universal eschatological event known as "the hour of trial."

Revelation 3 10 Word analysis

• Because: Greek: Hoti (ὅτι). Signifies cause and effect, establishing a direct connection between Philadelphia's obedience and Christ's promise.
• you have kept: Greek: etērēsa (ἐτήρησας) - from tēreō. To guard, preserve, observe, keep safe, maintain. It implies an active and ongoing adherence, a careful guarding of what has been entrusted. This refers to their active obedience and faithful endurance.
• the word of My perseverance: Greek: ton logon tēs hypomonēs mou (τὸν λόγον τῆς ὑπομονῆς μου).
  • word (logos): Not just a spoken word, but a command, teaching, or message.
  • of My perseverance (tēs hypomonēs mou): Hypomonē (ὑπομονῆς) means patient endurance, steadfastness, fortitude, cheerful or hopeful endurance. The genitive "of My" can mean "the word about My perseverance," referring to Christ's teachings about the need for believers to endure; or "the word that is My perseverance," meaning Christ's very characteristic of patient endurance which they embodied; or "the word requiring My perseverance," a command to persevere as He perseveres. It encompasses all: their faithfulness to His teaching on endurance, their reflection of His enduring nature, and their obedience to His command to endure.
• I also will keep: Greek: tērēsō se (τηρήσω σε) - from tēreō. Future tense, directly paralleling "you have kept." It implies God's reciprocal act of preservation. The same verb emphasizes that just as they diligently guarded His word, He will diligently guard them.
• you from: Greek: ek (ἐκ). Preposition indicating separation or origin ("out of," "from"). This crucial preposition has been extensively debated regarding the precise nature of the deliverance: does it mean "out of" (implying removal from the trial before it starts or during it by rapture) or "through" (preservation while within the trial)? While "out of" is its primary meaning, context is key. It indicates complete preservation and safeguarding from experiencing the full force or destructive power of the trial, akin to Lot being brought out of Sodom (Gen 19:22) or Israel delivered out of Egypt (Ex 3:8). It denotes a rescue and distinct protection, ensuring they do not experience the trial's judgmental intent.
• the hour of trial: Greek: tēs hōras tou peirasmou (τῆς ὥρας τοῦ πειρασμοῦ).
  • hour (hōra): A specific, fixed period of time. It is not an indefinite period but a determined duration.
  • trial (peirasmou): Peirasmos (πειρασμός) signifies a testing, proving, or temptation. It's a period of severe proving that exposes genuineness. In this context, given its global nature and effect on "those who dwell on the earth," it is an eschatological period of divine judgment or ultimate testing for humanity, separating the true from the false.
• coming upon: Greek: mellousēs erchesthai epi (μελλούσης ἔρχεσθαι ἐπὶ). Indicates a definite, imminent future event, "about to come upon."
• the whole world: Greek: holēs tēs oikoumenēs (ὅλης τῆς οἰκουμένης). "The inhabited earth," encompassing a universal scope, not merely a localized event. This global extent underscores the unprecedented nature of the trial.
• to test: Greek: peirasai (πειράσαι) - infinitive of peirazō. Purpose of the trial is to put humanity to the test, to prove who genuinely belongs to God.
• those who dwell on the earth: Greek: tous katoikountas epi tēs gēs (τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς). This is a recurrent phrase in Revelation (e.g., Rev 6:10, 8:13, 11:10, 13:8, 14:6, 17:2, 17:8), almost always referring to those who are rebellious, unbelieving, and antagonistic to God. It distinguishes those who are earthly-minded from those whose citizenship is in heaven. The trial's primary target is this specific group.

Revelation 3 10 Bonus section

The concept of the "hour of trial" (hōra tou peirasmou) is often identified by scholars as referring to the Great Tribulation described later in Revelation and by Christ in the Gospels. The nature of Christ's promised "keeping" (from or through) has led to significant theological discussions, particularly in eschatology. The specificity of "My perseverance" (Christ's own quality of enduring or His specific command to endure) means Philadelphia's faithfulness wasn't just generally pious, but aligned precisely with Christ's example and expectation during challenging times. This promise underscores the direct link between faithful obedience to God's revealed will and His divine provision and protection, offering a profound comfort and hope to believers facing the anticipation of difficult times.

Revelation 3 10 Commentary

Revelation 3:10 is a pivotal verse articulating God's principle of reciprocal faithfulness. Because the Philadelphian believers diligently guarded Christ's teaching on endurance and exhibited perseverance themselves, Christ promises to protect them from the coming "hour of trial." This is not merely spiritual protection from temptation, but a tangible preservation from an eschatological period of unprecedented global testing and judgment. The universality of this trial ("whole world") and its specific targets ("those who dwell on the earth"—a term consistently referring to unregenerate humanity in Revelation) emphasize its unique nature and severity. The promise signifies either removal from this period of intense divine judgment, or absolute preservation within it, ensuring the faithful do not experience its true punitive intent. It is a profound assurance of Christ's care for those who remain steadfast in their allegiance to Him, demonstrating that His watchful eye is upon those who are vigilant with His word.