12/27/2018
4. Keep His commandments: testifies to one’s relationship (Revelation)
When we study the books of Hebrews through Revelation concerning keeping God’s commandments, the study can be enlightening for those who believe the Bible and allow it to be their sole source of truth. It can be damning for those who force the Bible into their preconceived theories, or ignore context, or reject the Bible as the final arbiter of truth.
In this section of scripture (Hebrews through Revelation), only First John mentions “keep/keepeth his commandments” using it six times, followed by the book of Revelation referring to “keep the commandments of God” found twice. These are the ONLY occurrences found in this section of the Bible. Here is the overview from First John already discussed in context earlier:
“if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3)
“keepeth not his commandments” (1 John 2:4)
“because we keep his commandments” (1 John 3:22)
“he that keepeth his commandments” (1 John 3:24)
“and keep his commandments” (1 John 5:2)
“keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3)
The details and CONTEXT of First John are discussed in the first three parts of this discussion, with attention now focused upon Revelation and specifically Daniel’s Seventieth Week (aka the 7-year Tribulation period). Chapter 12 refers to those whom the dragon hates—the ones that he wants to destroy. Satan wants to destroy the remnant of the children of God left on earth at that time. How are these believers described? It is a threefold description:
1. They are the remnant of the seed of Israel (the woman)
2. They keep the commandments of God
3. They have the testimony of Jesus Christ
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
How does the dragon know who the woman is and who makes up her remnant? He looks for those who are living right and doing right. The believer’s behavior confirms their testimony; it does not save their souls. The believer’s behavior betrays their position as believers; it does not save their souls. Yet, some read into the passage to mean that keeping the commandments of God earns them a position as the remnant and seed of the woman. Keeping the commandments of God does not make someone a believer, yet a believer can be identified as someone who keeps the commandments of God.
Two chapters later (chapter 14) is the only other time that “keep the commandments of God” is mentioned in these epistles. This verse does not say that one becomes a saint by keeping the commandments of God but points out that the saints of God are those who live right and have the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
How does the Bible distinguish the saints from all other people upon the earth at that time? The saints are the ones who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. The lost are those who worship the beast and his image and have received his mark. What stops a person from taking the mark and worshiping the beast and his image? Faith. Three verses earlier the anti-saints are clearly described.
Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Those who keep the commandments of God are identified as the saints. This is similar to a Christian who follows the Lord in believer’s baptism today. Getting baptized does not save but it surely identifies the believers and sometimes brings the persecution. Keeping the commandments in Daniel’s Seventieth Week does not make someone a saint but it surely identifies the believers and will bring the persecution.
