The Christians will let their guard down after the great revival of the last days. Moral depravity will come forth to an extent never before witnessed on the earth. The majority of those who had professed faith in Christ will grow cold. Only a holy remnant will remain and be ready to receive Christ at His return.

The sincere believer will ask himself, "How can I be certain I will be kept from being drawn away by moral temptation?"

It may be noted at this point that even in the present hour some pastors and believers are being seduced by pornography, especially that presented on the Internet. We do not have enough spiritual strength to stand when physical lust is presented so graphically.

This is why the Lord Jesus gave us His guarantee of protection.

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:10—NIV)

This verse is used by dispensationalists to prove the believers in Christ will not be present on earth during the "great tribulation."

Let us remove this error before we proceed.

When Paul was teaching the Thessalonian believers he remarked about their abundance of suffering, and then promised them they would be relieved by the coming of the Lord to destroy Antichrist, not relieved by being removed from the earth but relieved by God's vengeance on Antichrist and wicked people.

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you And give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (II Thessalonians 1:6-8—NIV)

The above statement is so clear that the seeker after truth will undoubtedly be convinced. As for the others, they are blind to the truth and cannot perceive what is plainly written no matter how much Scripture is presented.

Back to our verse.

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:10—NIV)

Notice that the promise of being kept is addressed to those who "endure patiently."

Again:

But he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:13—NIV)

Saved from what? Saved from losing his love for Christ as a result of the abundance of wickedness.

In Revelation 3:10, the verb translated "have kept" is the same Greek word translated "will also keep." The word means to watch over, preserve. It often is employed to mean keeping Christ's commandments.

The concept is that if we are willing to keep Christ's command to endure patiently throughout the period of temptation, Christ will keep us from losing our love for Him.

To be continued.