Right after the 3 angels sound their warnings to worship God and not worship the beast there is this tiny little verse. It is sandwiched right in the middle of Revelation chapter 14 between the three angels loud warnings and the second coming of Jesus, described as the harvesting of the earth. But don’t let it’s size fool you. It has a very important meaning. Here’s what it says.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. – Revelation 14:12
God does not call on his faithful people to revolt or begin a national uprising. He calls them to be patient. It reminds me of another great Bible verse.
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. –Psalms 27:14
What will God’s followers be doing while they are waiting for Jesus to come and rescue them from this crazy world of sin and destruction?
They will be patiently and faithfully keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. They don’t keep the commandments because it will earn them anything. They do it because of their great love for Jesus and their trust in what He says. Just like Jesus trusted his Father in heaven, they have a firm faith or trust in Jesus and believe that what he tells them to do is the best way to live. Not only that, they trust Jesus to work in them and know that they can do nothing of themselves. As a bonus, their characters shine as lights in the world.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. – Philippians 2:13-15
Wow! God is so awesome! He not only is coming to rescue you, but he will help you follow all his ways – which are the most awesome, best ways in the world – because he loves you and wants the best for you.
Jesus summed up God’s commandments the following way.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. – Mark 12:29-31
These two commandments summarize the ten commandments. The first four are about loving God with all your heart. The last six are about loving your neighbor as yourself.
Here’s a free printable to help you easily remember the 10 commandments. As we put them in our minds ask God to put them in your heart. He has given you this promise.
I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.* – Hebrews 8:10
I want to have the patience of the saints and keep the commandments of God – exactly like this awesome group of God’s followers described in Revelation 14. Ask Jesus into your life today and He will write his ways on your heart. His ways are always the best ways – the perfect ways of love.
*Scholars Note: Hebrews 8 states this promise is for the house of Israel. For more about “Who is Israel?” read about The Lord’s Army.
