Topical Bible: Temptation: Christ Keeps Faithful Saints from the Hour of

◄ Temptation: Christ Keeps Faithful Saints from the Hour of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of temptation is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, representing trials and challenges that test the faith and obedience of believers. In the New Testament, the promise that Christ will keep His faithful saints from the "hour of temptation" is a profound assurance of divine protection and deliverance.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural reference for this promise is found in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 3:10 , Jesus addresses the church in Philadelphia, saying, "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." This verse highlights the reward for steadfastness and obedience to Christ's commands, emphasizing that those who remain faithful will be shielded from a period of severe trial.

The Nature of the "Hour of Temptation"

The "hour of temptation" is often interpreted as a future time of tribulation and testing that will affect the entire world. This period is characterized by widespread challenges to faith, moral integrity, and spiritual endurance. The promise to be kept from this hour is seen as a divine intervention, where Christ actively protects His followers from succumbing to the pressures and deceptions that will be prevalent during this time.

Christ's Role as Protector

Christ's role as the protector of His faithful saints is consistent with His character and mission as depicted throughout the New Testament. In John 17:15 , Jesus prays for His disciples, saying, "I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one." This prayer underscores the ongoing spiritual protection that Christ provides, ensuring that His followers are safeguarded from the ultimate harm of falling away from their faith.

Faithfulness and Perseverance

The promise of protection from the hour of temptation is contingent upon the believer's faithfulness and perseverance. The church in Philadelphia is commended for keeping Christ's command to persevere, which implies a steadfast commitment to living according to His teachings despite external pressures. This perseverance is a hallmark of true discipleship and is rewarded with divine preservation.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the assurance that Christ will keep His faithful saints from the hour of temptation reinforces the doctrine of divine sovereignty and grace. It affirms that while believers may face trials, they are not left to endure them alone. Instead, they are supported by the power and presence of Christ, who ensures their ultimate victory over sin and temptation.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the promise of being kept from the hour of temptation serves as both a comfort and a call to action. It encourages Christians to remain vigilant in their faith, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to trust in Christ's ability to deliver them from spiritual danger. This assurance motivates believers to live lives of holiness and devotion, confident in the knowledge that their faithfulness will be met with Christ's unfailing protection.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 3:10
Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ and his Table-Companions "And when the Hour was Come, He ...
... all times of trial, and depression, and temptation, I will ... him into the market; for
there he keeps himself to ... Now, the Lord Jesus Christ sat at the table with ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/christ and his table-companions and.htm

Satan Considering the Saints
... the engineer, endeavouring to make a railway, keeps his eye ... may tend to drive us
nearer to Christ, may teach ... he permits it, he will with the temptation make a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/satan considering the saints.htm

Sharing Christ's Life
... Temptation after temptation have I endured until it appeared as ... so slight a jerk
that he still keeps on upon ... a life that cannot be suspended," Christ seems to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/sharing christs life.htm

Enduring to the End
... preacher of the Word will be familiar with temptation. ... love of your own souls, be
faithful unto death. ... faith brings the soul to Christ, Christ keeps the faith ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death.
... The storms of temptation beat upon him; but he stands firm ... old, he "hath respect
to the recompence of reward," keeps heaven in ... "Through Christ strengthening him ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xx the fear which.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... He also that questions his faithful management of his ... therefore I was not coming
aright to Jesus Christ. ... in, may yet be overtaken with a temptation that may ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... man, to the uttermost sin, to the uttermost temptation. ... all your iniquities.' (Amos
3:2) God keeps a very ... are already justified by the blood of Christ such as ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

Perseverance
... Temptation is a medicine for security; the more Satan tempts, the ... an invisible glory;
and he who has Christ in his ... the pilot keeps his ship, his ship keeps him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 perseverance.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... and maintained his innocence against all and every temptation. ... this doctrine saves
the Divinity of Christ and of ... the unity of the Godhead, and keeps the proper ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

Concerning Persecution
... Patience keeps the heart down from murmuring. ... He who would not burn for Christ was
afterwards made to burn for his ... Blessed is the man that endures temptation . ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm