Bible Question: If you do not believe in the pre-trib of the Church(the body of believers in Christ) please explain what Rev 3;10, et al. means. |
Bible Answer: The words “hour of temptation” are taken by most Bible students to be a reference to the coming time of Tribulation, with the promise being given in the message to the Church in Philadelphia that Christians will not enter into this time. The word ‘from’ is a translation of the Greek word “ek,” meaning ‘out of’. Thus, the correct translation is, “I also will keep thee out of the hour of temptation…” Within context, it would have to do with works emanating out of faithfulness (cf. Jas_2:14-26), with a view to overcoming (cf. Jas_2:8, Jas_2:10 A, Jas_2:12). The Christians in Philadelphia were promised that, because of their faithfulness, they would be kept out of a particular time of testing/trials — about to come upon “all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” This promised deliverance could only be the same as that seen in what is commonly called “the Lord’s prayer” in Mat_6:9-13; “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil [lit., ‘from the evil one’ — from Satan]…” (Mat_6:13 A). This would be the same temptation which Christ spoke of in Mar_14:38 and which Paul wrote about in 1Co_7:5. And it is the same temptation from which the Lord promised deliverance in 2Pe_2:9. The expression, “all the world,” must be understood in the same sense as it is used in Col_1:6, where Christians alone are also in view. This promise made to faithful Christians relative to a time of testing/trials which Satan would bring upon Christians (all Christians) scattered throughout the then known world, seeking to bring about their defeat. They, because of their faithfulness, would overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil, and, through this means, they would be delivered out of the onslaughts of Satan. |