Revelation 3:10
What does Revelation 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 3:10 means
Because the church kept “the word of my patience”—they endured in loyal obedience—Jesus promises to keep them from the coming hour of trial destined to test the whole world, especially those settled in rebellion (“those who dwell on the earth”). The promise is of Christ’s guarding care amid a global testing, not their destruction. Views differ on how this keeping occurs, but the emphasis is his faithful protection and their preserved testimony. He honors endurance with preservation. The focus remains on steadfastness under pressure, trusting that the Lord of the open door is also Lord over the times and seasons, able to shelter his people when widespread trials arrive.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because you have kept my word in quiet strength, I will keep you from the hour of testing which is coming on all the world, to put to the test those who are on earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Because thou didst keep the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of the trial that is about to come upon all the world, to try those dwelling upon the earth.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the whole world to try them that dwell upon the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole habitable world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Context
This assurance follows commendation and vindication (verses 8–9). It deepens their encouragement by looking beyond local troubles to a worldwide testing. The promise gives motive for perseverance and sets up the urgent exhortation of verse 11 to hold fast. The flow is: faithful endurance recognized, enemies humbled, future trials anticipated, yet Christ himself guarantees keeping power. Next, he calls them to guard their present gains so no one steals their reward.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 2:10
Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
- Revelation 17:8
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.
- Matthew 6:13
And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
- Revelation 1:9
I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patiencewhich arein Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.
- Revelation 8:13
And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.
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