I will keep you from the Hour of Trial
Summary
The expression "keep from" is also used in John 17:15 and cannot mean "take away from" because Jesus is NOT asking to be taken away from the world.
Rev 3:10 Because you have kept the Word of My perseverance, 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.
According to the pre-tribulation doctrine, one must conclude from Rev 3:10 that the church will not enter the hour of trial (the hour of temptation) - that is the time when the Antichrist deceives the masses - but will be saved from it by being caught up to heaven beforehand.
Answer:
The expression "keep from" (Greek "tereo ek") occurs only twice in the Bible, here in Rev 3:10 and in Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17:15:
John 17:15 | Rev 3:10 |
---|---|
15 I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, | 10 Because you have kept the word of my perseverance, 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. |
The Lord asks in John 17:15 for His disciples to be preserved from evil. But he explicitly does not ask that they be taken away (raptured) from the world. Thus they remain exposed to the evil one.
"Keep from the evil one" therefore means that the Lord protects the disciples in such a way that the evil one cannot cause the disciples to fall away from the faith and renounce God. "Keep from evil" does not mean, however, that they will no longer have anything to do with evil.
But then in Rev 3:10 "keep from the hour of trial/temptation" also does not mean that the believers are not confronted with this hour and are kept out of it or taken out of it (raptured), but rather that they come into this hour. But they are protected by the Lord that they may recognise and resist temptation.
----> "Keeping from the evil" or "keeping from the hour of temptation" does not happen by being taken out of the world (raptured).
That the believer remains exposed to the evil, i.e. the devil, is confirmed by the following biblical passages:
1 Cor 7:5 | … come together again so that Satan does not tempt you... |
2 Cor 11:3 | … as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted… |
Eph 4:27 | 27 nor give place to the devil. |
Eph 6,11-12 | 11 Put on all the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies. |
Eph 6:16 | 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. |
1 Pet 5:8-9 | 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith,… |
1 Thess 2:18 | 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you; even I, Paul, time and again; but Satan hindered us. |
1 Thess 3:5 | 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest somehow the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain. |
1 Tim 3:7 | 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony with those who are outside, that he not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. |
2 Tim 2:26 | 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. |
James 4:7 | 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. |
Rev 2:10 | 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have affliction ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. |
----> The church enters the hour of trial (temptation) and is not raptured beforehand.
The Lord does not ask that His disciples be taken away from the world.
He does not ask that they be raptured prematurely.
----> 'keep from' is not 'take away from'
But the Lord's high priestly prayer in John 17:15 will certainly come true. The saints will be preserved in such a way that neither the evil one nor evil will overcome or defeat them (1 John 5:4). The last verses in the Bible before the Book of Revelation are a great encouragement:
Jud 24-25 24 Now to Him who has the power to keep you from stumbling, and to present you without blemish before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.