“Because you have kept the word of my patience….”   Revelation 3:10

 The Greek used for ‘word’ here is Strong’s #3056 (lógos) is a broad term meaning "reasoning expressed by words.”. This word is used over 300 times in the NT.  Thayer reads “….those things which are put together in thought, as of those which, having been thought, i. e. gathered together in the mind, are expressed in words.”

 

Primarily we know there is the Word of God from the New testament and that it is described as a Word of Life from Philippians 2:16, the Word of Truth from James 1:18, a Word of Righteousness from Hebrews 5:13, and from Matthew 13:19, we find they all are Words of the Kingdom.

 

We know there is the “Word of Faith” that Paul preached from Romans 10:8 and we have settled this as a firm foundation from which to build our lives, knowing that every word from God has life inherent in itself and carries within itself the power for us to believe it.  

 

Even so, let us consider how this Word of Patience is to be as foundational in our lives as these other “words”.   Hebrews 10:36tells us we have need of patience that after we have done the will of God, we might receive the promise. Apparently regardless of the Word we believe, without patience there will be no completed promise.

 

Ultimately our patience is exercised to this end: keeping us vitally connected to the Father.  The confidence we do not throw away is that Jesus is coming again and we are holding fast to the hope of eternal life.  There are crowns and rewards to be received at his appearing so we know our labors here are not in vain.  Romans 2:7 ~  those who through patience in well doing are seeking glory and honor and immortality and are assured the gift of eternal life.  

 

Patience (you know) literally means to remain under. Here in Revelation 3:10 it is the word hypomonḗ (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 3306 /ménō, "remain, endure") – properly, remaining under, endurance; steadfastness. 

 

Circumstances endeavoring to move us away from God, require us to remain under the authority of God and submitted to His will.  While we steadfastly trust His promise, patience is to be exercised.  We must simply settle down and WAIT for God to work.  Here in this place we are practicing, learning, building a heart condition that is not moved away from Him, but presses into Him, believing. Because, God looks at the heart, we must always be truthful about its condition. Where there is unbelief, it will cause us to depart from God (Hebrews 3:12).

 

Romans 5 reminds us in every temptation God is working to develop patience.  James 1:4 patience must have its perfect work so we can be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. In other words, without the exercise and development of patience something important is lacking in our conformity to Christ.   

 

There are so many things in this world designed to press us to doubt and to deny.   Just as Eve considered the tree long enough to believe a lie, we too, must know that we are continually being pressed to DIS believe every word God has spoken, concerning any and every part ofour life.

 

Satan comes to challenge God and His Word: Has God said?  He comes to rob the word being sown thus we engage in the good fight of faith. We resist Him, stedfast in the faith, with a strong, robust, working, active, energized faith that holds us to the Father and propels us into the areas assigned. We do our job ~ destroying works of darkness and advancing the Kingdom of Light.  

 

The promise in Revelation to the church at Philadelphia is because they had kept His word and had not denied His name. He promises to keep them from the hour of trial coming on the whole earth. 

 

His admonition:  “I am coming soon.  Hold fast what you have so that no one may seize your crown.” 

 

Let patience have its perfect work. We have need of patience that after we have done the will of God, we may receive His promise.