The Only Guaranteed Way To Escape End-Time Catastrophes

CHAPTER 8

PHILADELPHIANS KEEP GOD'S COMMAND TO ENDURE PATIENTLY

The fourth characteristic that God uses to distinguish the Philadelphians from the Laodiceans is that Philadelphians have kept Jesus’ command to endure patiently or persevere (Revelation 3:10 NKJV: “10 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.) NIV translates this verse this way: “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.”

The Greek word translated ‘persevere’ in the NKJV and ‘endure patiently’ in the NIV is the Greek noun hupomone which means cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy; enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting). It is derived from the Greek verb hupomeno which means to remain, or figuratively to bear trials, have fortitude, persevere; abide, endure or take patiently.

The sense of these words seems to be enduring all trials patiently, remaining steadfast and persevering in pursuit of our faith. Jesus is commending the Philadelphians for enduring all tests and trials due to their faith or otherwise with patience to the very end.

Jesus Christ uses the same Greek word to commend 2 other Churches beside the Philadelphian Church. These are the Churches at Ephesus and Thyatira.Revelation 2:1-3 (NKJV): “1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.”

The account of the activities of the Ephesus era is found in the book of acts and what may be gleaned from the epistles (letters) of the various apostles. As the history of that era of God’s Church shows, that Church labored and persevered for the name of Jesus to spread His message of forgiveness of sins on repentance and the gospel of the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. They also endured all trials and persecution with patience.

Similarly the Thyatira era of God’s Church is commended for its works and patience in Revelation 2:18-19 (NKJV): “18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God…19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.”

Besides the Greek word hupomone, another Greek word which would be called a synonym to hupomone is makrothumia which means forbearance, fortitude, longsuffering and patience. This is the word translated as ‘longsuffering’ in Galatians 5:22 as one of the fruits of the holy spirit of God. So the patience that Jesus Christ commends the members of His Church with a Philadelphian attitude is one of the fruits of God’s holy spirit that all members possess. This is one of the fruits that Philadelphian members of God’s Church bear to perfection in abundance.

Merriam-Webster online defines patience as the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient. Definition of patient: able to remain calm and not become annoyed when waiting for a long time or when dealing with problems or difficult people…

1: bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
2: manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
3: not hasty or impetuous
4: steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

Some synonyms will also bring out the traits that Jesus Christ is commending in the Philadelphia Church: forbearing, long-suffering, stoic (or stoical), tolerant, uncomplaining.

Other places where the Greek word for patience is used illustrate various aspects of patience:////Luke 8:15, “15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” This verse from the parable of the sower teaches us that those who bring much fruit of righteousness do it with an honest and good heart with patience.

Luke 21:17-19: “17 And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not a hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess your souls.”

Here Jesus was discussing with the disciples the conditions before His return to earth and the persecutions that God’s Church will face. He counseled all members to patiently endure all the trials and persecutions to keep possession of their souls by qualifying to receive eternal life.

And how do we develop the patience in the face of trials that Jesus Christ commends the Philadelphians for? Romans 5:3-4 provides the answer: “3 …we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope makes not ashamed…” It is through tests, trials and persecution that we develop the patience which then gives us the experience to deal with future trials with patience. So facing trials and tribulations with patience is a self-reinforcing cycle. Each time we face a new trial or tribulation, we must endure it with greater degree of patience and self-control.

Paul the apostle tells us in Hebrews 6:11-15 that we can inherit God’s promises only through patient endurance: “11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, 14 Saying , surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

He continues in Hebrews 12:1 after relating the examples of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11: “1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…”

Jesus’ half-brother James has a lot to say about patiently enduring all trials.

James 1:2-4: “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”James here says that trials test our faith which produces patience. But we must produce patience to perfection, lacking nothing. Then James gives examples of patience in the scriptures that we must emulate.

James 5: 7-8, 10-11: “7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman [God the Father, John 15:1] waits for the precious fruit of the earth, [members of God’s Church to be perfected to qualify to be born as His literal immortal sons and daughters are the precious fruit God the Father is looking for] and has long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be you also patient; establish your hearts [meaning fix your hearts that you will never violate God’s law or deny His name]: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh [near]…10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

The best example of patient endurance, however, is Jesus Christ as described by Peter the apostle in 1 Peter 2:18-23 (NKJV). This is the example we must all follow when we are faced with persecution and tribulation. Peter writes: “18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously…”

The Greek word used by Jesus Christ for patience to commend the Philadelphians also implies ‘perseverance’ in developing this attribute. The Philadelphians never give up in the face of tests and trials and persevere in living by every word of God through all tribulations.

In Revelation 3:12 Jesus says: “Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” This reward of being pillars in God’s temple, meaning having a permanent position of authority for eternity at God’s headquarters is being offered to those with a Philadelphian attitude because they overcome sin. Perseverance in overcoming sin is thus also a trait of those with a Philadelphian attitude.

Thus the essence of the patience Jesus Christ commends the members of His Church with a Philadelphian attitude is that they do not rail, revile or hurl threats and insults at their persecutors, but face all trials with perfect equanimity. This attribute cannot be developed overnight if one is given to anger. Members must persevere through trials to develop it. Trials will continue to try our faith and we must ultimately produce a perfect work in terms of perfect patience. And sooner the better or trials will keep coming.

Equanimity comes from the quiet assurance of knowing how it all ends if we do our part. The resurrection energized the disciples who from being cowards became bold men, willing to die for their faith. They knew that physical death was not the end of life and that they would be resurrected to a glorious life and future for eternity. They had seen Jesus after He was resurrected and understood the reality of it. Many Church members have been martyred over the past more than 19 centuries. Their persecutors have always commented on the remarkable calmness with which they faced persecution even if it led to torture and death. They also persevere in overcoming sin. These are the traits Jesus Christ wants in members of His Church, commends those who have them and GUARANTEES them protection in a place of safety during the entire three and a half years of the Great Tribulation.

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