PMT 2015-132 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
In Rev 3:10 we read of Christ’s statement the church at Philadelphia (not the church in Cleveland or Detroit!): Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth (3:10).
Because they are enduring for Christ—against all opposition, but especially from the Jews (3:9a)—he promises: “I also will keep you from the hour of testing” (3:10b). Since they kept (eteresas) his word, he will keep (tereso ) them becaus he blesses those who honor him. He will keep them from an hour of testing.
But how does he keep them from this dreaded hour? Does he take them out before the testing period, so that they might escape it altogether? Dispensationalists see this as an allusion to their pretribulational rapture (John F. Walvoord; Charles C. Ryrie; Robert L. Thomas). Or does he promise to uphold them through that period of testing? Though grammatically both interpretations are possible, the second one has more merit, for the following reasons.
First, it fits the context of the oracle which praises their past perseverance under trial: “you have kept the word of My perseverance.” Thus, the meaning appears to be: “You have endured thus far; I will carry you the rest of the way.”
Second, elsewhere in Revelation, the saints are called to endure through the storms they face (1:3, 9; 2:2–3, 10, 17, 19, 25–26; 3:3, 5, 8, 12, 21 12:11; 13:10; 14:4–5; 16:16; 17:14; 21:7). Why would they be promised escape from the trials here? In 7:14 we see the saints coming through “the great tribulation” with their robes washed in the Lamb’s blood. In 12:6, 14–17 we see them personally fleeing the wrath of Satan.
Charismatic Gift of Prophecy
(by Kenneth Gentry)
A rebuttal to charismatic arguments for the gift of prophecy continuing in the church today. Demonstrates that all revelatory gifts have ceased as of the conclusion of the Apostolic era.
See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com
Third, we might expect a clearer statement here to assure them that he meant something different from the whole movement of Revelation. For instance, we might expect a promise that he would “catch” them up (haparzo) from the world, such as in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. After all, Revelation uses this word for Christ who is taken out of the world at his ascension (12:5). Or he could have used the word “take up” (hupolamban ) as in Acts 1:9.
Fourth, the rapture view undermines the reason for their blessing. Just two verses later in 3:12, Christ promises certain blessings to “he who overcomes.” But according to the rapture view, they do not need to overcome, for they will escape the coming trial.
Fifth, in the next verse he declares that he is “coming quickly” and urges them to “hold fast what you have” (3:11b). This strongly suggests that they will have to endure the “hour of testing,” so that they not lose what they have.
Four Views on the Book of Revelation
(ed. by Marvin Pate)
Helpful presentation of four approaches to Revelation. Ken Gentry writes the chapter on the preterist approach to Revelation, which provides a 50 page survey of Revelation .
See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com
Six, throughout Revelation, Christ commands the saints to endure (see point 1). Significantly, in his high priestly prayer Jesus uses the same words when praying for his saints—to remain in the world. “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from [teres . . . ek tou ponerou] the evil one” (Jn 17:15; cp. terseo ek tes horas). Indeed, this was Christ’s own personal practice, as he prays before his death: “My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour” (Jn 12:27).
Of course, this whole encouragement and promise is not limited to the Philadelphia Christians. It will apply to all those in the churches if they remain faithful: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (3:13).
Thus, there seems to be no reason to assume a pre-tribulation rapture in Rev 3:10. Just as there seem to be no reasons for dispensationalism at all.
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Tagged: pre-tribulation, rapture
Postmillennial Worldview 
IF MATTHEW AND OTHER SCRIPTURES PROOF A POST TRIB RAPTURE, THEN WHY DOES REVELATION 3:10 seem to teach a pre trib rapture?
Although, revelation 3:10 seems to proof the pre trib rapture, there are a lot of others verses that proof a post trib rapture. Therefore, something is wrong. Revelation 3:10 in some translations say, ” because you have kept my word patiently, I will PROTECT you from the hour of trial. It is a mean of the translation you are using, because that might be confusing you. “Keep you from the hour of trial”, does not mean ” take you out of the hour of trial” as pretribilationist seem to be believing. Of this were representing a pre tribulation rapture, then why didn’t John say “Take” instead of “Keep”. Scriptures cannot be contradicting it self, therefore, some of us have misunderstood revelation 3:10. According, to the Gabriel translation (un popular) it says ” protect”. Therefore, I am not saying that all translations are false, but that some have different words, which cost different doctrines. Goodspeed translates 3:10- “Because you have kept in mind the message of what I endured. I will also keep you safe in the time of testing that is going to come upon the whole world, to test the inhabitants of the earth.” This translation, is causing people who use it get other doctrines. I use the NIV and although the words are similar they mean to different things NIV says ” 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. Good speed says “Because you have kept in mind the message of what I endured. I will also keep you safe in the time of testing that is going to come upon the whole world, to test the inhabitants of the earth.” The good speeding is teaching he will keep you safe, meanwhile the NIV says it will keep you from. Although, I believe my NIV might have an error on this verse, it can mean the same thing if you look carefully at it. ” Keep you from” does not mean ” take you from” and ” save you during ” also does not mean ” Take you from”. Keep you from is another synonym for save you during from but keep you from is kinda harder to understand, but if you use context you will understand it. It’s just like saying ” I’ll KEEP YOU FROM GETTING HURT and ” I will Save YOU FROM GETTING HURT” they mean the same thing, just using different words. But always remember, if you don’t use context is the bible, it will mean different things. I know revelation 3:10 does not mean anything such A a pre trib rapture, because if you go to Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and explore the scriptures they teach a post trib rapture, and since assuming revelation 3:10 means a rapture, without saying, mean while the other scriptures say a post trib rapture, scripture cannot contradict it self, specially with verses that proof the post trib rapture, with a verse that does not proof any pre trib rapture, but people assume on it. If it proofs pre trib, why did John not write the word “taken” rather, than “keep”. Therefore when you see Matthew 24 for example saying immediately after the tribulation of those days etc etc etc and he will send he Angels with a great sound of a trump and gather the elect. What do you call that? IMMEDIATELY after the tribulation,he will gather his elect. That’s post trib rapture. Revelation 3:10 is one of the most popular, if not most popular pre tribulation rapture verse, that deceives hundreds, probably thousands, if not millions. Keep you from can mean some things such as ” protect you from” “GAURD you from” but does not mean ” Take to you from”.