Revelation 14:12-13 (NASV)
Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
Subject: Eternal Security and the Perseverance of the Saints.
In this section of Revelation we have the destruction of the earth, mankind's government and man himself as the wrath of God is poured out on the earth. God is brining His judgement to all those who have rejected His grace via the Gospel. Yet, in the midst of this wrath, literally right in the midst of the description of this pouring out of wrath we have the above passage which describes one of the greatest truths in God's Word: The Perseverance of the Saints. The NASV rightly uses the term "perseverance." The ESV calls it the "endurance" of the saints, while the NIV calls it the "patient endurance" of the saints. The historical doctrine is "perseverance." This is the doctrine that once God elects you to be saved you will NEVER lose that calling and election. You will endure to the end. You will persevere to the end. God gives us this picture in the midst of the wrath to remind us He is not only faithful to bring the wrath He promised through the ages to those who REJECTED Him, but He also will faithfully hold onto those who ACCEPTED Him. The "saints" mentioned in this passage are the ones saved during the tribulation by the ministry of the two witnesses. There is no other saints in history that will endure what these saints mush endure. Yet, like all saints, they will be saved to the end. And, verse 13, be blessed. Both for how they died and what they will enjoy in death. We are blessed as we persevere in faith. This is God's "blessed" assurance based upon His faithfulness to His Word toward us!!!
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