The Patience of the Saints Revelation 14:12

After writing about the “beast or the antichrist” and “the dragon – the devil or Satan” being worshiped by people upon the earth, John the apostle wrote how a “third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twelve of Revelation John shares about “the patience of the saints” where we read:

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God,

and the faith of Jesus.

The verse reads, “Here is the patience of the saints:” John began with the word, “here” which means “in this place” “is the patience” or “is the steadfastness, constancy and endurance” “of the saints” which refers to “pertaining to the pure, morally blameless or religiously and ceremonially consecrated”. John heard the declaration concerning people who are “consecrated” to God.

The verse goes on to say, “here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. ” John continued with the word, “here” which means “in this place” “are they that keep” or “are the people who hold, own and possess” “the commandments” which means “the order, charge, precept and injunction” “of God” or “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “and the faith” which means “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ”, “of Jesus” which means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. John shared how the people who follow God and “keep” His “precepts” and believe and trust in “Jesus Christ”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we see how those who “follow” God, “keep” His “commandments” and have “belief and trust” in Jesus are to be “constant and continual” in doing so. Though a proclamation of judgment has been made by the “angel” concerning those who “worship” the antichrist and “receive” His “mark”, believers are to continue in their walk with God. God desires to have a close relationship with every person, and when troubles are abound, those who believe and trust in Him through faith in “Jesus” may have confidence in His “keeping power” and “peace”. May all the “saints” of God “follow, keep and believe” in trying times both now and in the tribulation time.

Next time John is told to, “write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.