In his Gospel, John uses the term keep to mean holding fast to every word that Christ spoke to us. "If a man love me, he will keep my words: . . . ." (John 14:23).

Thus, Revelation 3:10 may be translated as follows:

Because you have guarded and watched over the word of my patience, I also will guard and watch over you, keeping you safe from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to test those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 3:10)

The Lord keeps us by warning us when we are being enticed to sin and gives us the strength to resist the devil, to not become involved with Satan in any manner. The Lord keeps us by giving us strength to keep serving Him when we are in great trouble. Neither sin nor trouble nor pressure nor pain can cause us to fall away from God's Presence when the Lord Jesus is keeping us by His power and love.

The last days will offer unparalleled opportunities for people to indulge in immoral behavior. Bodily lusts and appetites will become so strong that only the consecrated believers will be able to resist the temptations. The worldly "believers" will be deceived into thinking the Lord is accepting their behavior even though it is against the Scriptures. The disciples also may fall into sin unless Christ keeps them from being deceived and from sinning.

The phrase keep them out of the hour of temptation indicates that we are exposed to the hour of testing but shielded from the harmful effects of it.

God Himself is our Shield. "But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head" (Psalms 3:3).

God did not keep Daniel from being exposed to the lions but He did protect Daniel from them. God carefully guarded and watched over Daniel, keeping him from being harmed by the lions.

We will go through the fire and we will go through the water, but the fire will not burn us and the water will not overflow us.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2)

It is not if we go through the waters but when we go through the waters.

Both the Old Testament and the New Testament Scriptures teach us by statement and example that God allows us to be exposed to trials, but He protects us so we are not harmed spiritually; so we are never separated from His Presence and will.

Our responsibility is to carefully guard and watch over the word of Christ's patience, making sure no part of it is injured or lost.

The idea of patience is that of steadfast endurance while we are under pressure, continuing to abide in Christ and to do His will until release and joy are brought to us. Patience as used here refers to faithfully following Christ through every disappointment and frustration, as well as through every blessing and joy, until He brings us into the fullness of liberty and glory in the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God and patience go together.

To be continued.