Patience of the Saints

Revelation Chapter 14 - Part 5

The patience of the saints and their trust in God will sustain them through the difficult conditions of the last days while Babylon is falling. (part 4 of this study on Revelation 14)

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (Rev 14:12)

"Patience" can imply just waiting for a long time. In the case of the saints, there is more involved and "endurance" or even "steadfast endurance" might be more appropriate. It will be not just waiting but waiting under very demanding conditions and difficult circumstances.

Are the saints referred to here all the saved or just the 144,000 that have been under discussion to this point in chapter 14? We will see, in Revelation 22, a distinction made between 2 groups of the saved - the righteous and the holy.

The "faith of Jesus" could be referring to faith like He had. He was willing to put His trust in His Father's plans even when it did not agree with His will at the time:

"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42)

The phrase "faith of Jesus" could also be correctly translated as "faith in Jesus."

The text of what is called the three angel's messages is contained in verses 6-12. The first and third messages are each given with a "loud voice." While the second message is just informing of something (the fall of Babylon; but is given again with "a strong (same original word as is translated loud) voice" - 18:2 ), the other two are giving instruction to do something or warning to not do something. The to-do content of the three angel's message is to fear God and, in verse 12, the last verse of the messages, we are told that the saints also "keep the commandments of God." This sounds like the conclusion of the message in the book of Ecclesiastes:

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Eccl 12:13-14)

It includes the reason for this - that judgment is coming, also a part of the three angel's messages.

We have heard that description used earlier for the remnant in chapter 12:

"... the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God ..." (Rev 12:17)

At what level do you think they keep the commandments? - profession only? It is not unreasonable to consider that they actually are keeping all of the commandments of God. This could then make the phrase "here are they that keep the commandments of God" the answer to a question "where are they that keep the commandments of God?" This question has probably been asked by Satan who has, while severely testing the patience of the saints, no doubt, been taunting God with the state of His people who seemingly are quite incapable of keeping the commandments of God.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev 14:13)

This may refer to those who accept the three angel's messages and refuse the mark of the beast after the worship of this false system is enforced. It could be seen as a blessing to not have to go through the terrible events that will be happening shortly before the Second Coming.

There are also indications in scripture of a special resurrection shortly before the Second Coming:

"Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you (the high priest), Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (Matt 26:64)

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." (Rev 1:7)

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Dan 12:1-2)

"Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." (Dan 12:12-13)