Tribulation Works Patience & The Patience of the Saints
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Tribulation works patience. Let's keep this in mind as we read this passage:
Revelation 14:10 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:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The context is very clear: it is Judgment Day. It is the time of the outpouring of the wrath of God upon the unsaved of the world.
And yet, notice verse 12. In verse 12 we are told that "HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS". The word “saints” in the Bible identifies with those people who have become saved and had their sins washed away thereby making them holy (the word “saints” is the same as “holy”) in God's sight. The saints are the elect. The saved.
And according to Revelation 14:12, in the context of the world's final judgment, the saints patience will come into view. Why?
Because tribulation worketh patience (Romans 5:3). And the saints (elect) will be left on the earth to go through the world's tribulation (Judgment Day). Thereby working patience within them.
Tribulations/Plural/More Than One
Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Tribulations. Plural. More than one tribulation.
First, the Great Tribulation:
Revelation 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. HERE IS THE PATIENCE and the faith of the SAINTS.
Then, the world's period of tribulation (Judgment Day):
Revelation 14:12 HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Where is here? Here is this world:
Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Two tribulations here (this world). God encourages us not to faint at His tribulations for us. Instead, He speaks of the patience of the saints. Why patience?
Because tribulation works patience:
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Tribulation is a synonym for judgment.
Two tribulations at the world's end. Means two judgments at the world's end.
First, judgment which begins at the house of God (churches).
The, judgment on the world. Two judgments. Two tribulations.