Kept From the Hour of Temptation (Revelation 3:10)
by Larry Cockerham

Many writers believe this is a reference to the "Great Tribulation" which shall come upon "all the world." Because the believers had kept His word, He would keep them from this time of tribulation. Notice that this is not a local trial, but one that will come upon the whole earth. Earlier we had mentioned that the last four churches would run contemporaneously with each other to the end of the age. The true church, represented by the church of Philadelphia, would be "caught up," whereas, the churches of Sardis, Thyatira, and Laodicea would enter directly into the tribulation period.

Observe that the church of Sardis did not know "what hour" the Lord would come "as a thief" (Rev. 3:3). The church of Thyatira would be "cast…into great tribulation" (Rev. 2:22). The church at Laodicea was told: "I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:16). The true believers of these churches will be caught out with the church of Philadelphia before the tribulation hour.

The tribulation will be a time of God's wrath and judgment upon "them that dwell upon the earth" (See Rev. 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8, 12, 14; 14:6; 17:2, 8). He will keep the believer "from" this time of tribulation rather than "through" it. Notice the promise of His soon return for the church of Philadelphia: "I come quickly" (Rev. 3:11), in contrast to the other three churches of Sardis, Thyatira, and Laodicea. Those who remain true to Him will in no wise lose their reward.