The Patience of the Saints

The word “patience” is translated as “endurance” in today’s verse. The “saints,” the Bible’s term for the people of God, will certainly undergo persecution under the universal rule of the beast and his image (Revelation 13:15). Today’s verse gives the prescription for enduring through that time of trial to emerge ultimately victorious.

At the end of time, God’s people will “keep the commandments of God” by “the faith of Jesus.” This phrase means that they have both faith in and the faith of Jesus to save their life: “The gospel of Christ … is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. … For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16, 17).

Contrary to popular belief, salvation for the human race did not end at the cross. When you accept Christ’s gift of eternal life, you accept that He will transform you into His express image, that He will abide in you and you in Him (John 15:4). You will “be found in Him, not having [your] own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philippians 3:9). What is righteousness? “All [God’s] commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:172). You are righteous when you keep God’s commandments.

In what will “the patience of the saints” culminate at the end of time? “The testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:3, 4). “The patience of the saints” will cultivate a people fully transformed into the image of Christ, a people perfectly obedient to God’s will. The faith that Jesus had on the cross will be recreated in them (Hebrews 12:2).

These “saints” will be the full demonstration of God’s plan of salvation. The entire universe will then see the result for every individual who has by faith accepted Christ throughout the history of the world. Keeping God’s commandments isn’t legalism; it is the ultimate goal of God’s redemption.

Heavenly Father, thank You for “the faith of Jesus,” which both covers our sins and gives us the power to obey You.

For Further Study: Daniel 3:16–18; 11:32–35; Revelation 13:10

Key Bible Texts

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12 KJV)