Patience of the Saints
“12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
(Rev 14:12-13 KJV)
In contrast to the physical torment that sinners will suffer, the saints will be blessed for their martyrdom. This promise is given to those that keep his commandments and hold on to faith. Keeping His commandments and holding on to faith are common themes that God expects from His people.
Patience – 5281 ὑπομονή hupomone {hoop-om-on-ay’}
Meaning: 1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance 1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings 1b) patiently, and steadfastly 2) a patient, steadfast waiting for 3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
Origin: from 5278; TDNT – 4:581,581; n f
Usage: AV – patience 29, enduring 1, patient continuance 1, patient waiting 1; 32
Keep – 5083 τηρέω tereo {tay-reh’-o}
Meaning: 1) to attend to carefully, take care of 1a) to guard 1b) metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is 1c) to observe 1d) to reserve: to undergo something
Origin: from teros (a watch, perhaps akin to 2334); TDNT – 8:140,1174; v
Usage: AV – keep 57, reserve 8, observe 4, watch 2, preserve 2, keeper 1, hold fast 1; 75
Commandments – 1785 ἐντολή entole {en-tol-ay’}
Meaning: 1) an order, command, charge, precept, injunction 1a) that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office 2) a commandment 2a) a prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done 2a1) a precept relating to lineage, of the Mosaic precept concerning the priesthood 2a2) ethically used of the commandments in the Mosaic law or Jewish tradition
Faith – 4102 πίστις pistis {pis’-tis}
Meaning: 1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it 1a) relating to God 1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ 1b) relating to Christ 1b1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God 1c) the religious beliefs of Christians 1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same 2) fidelity, faithfulness 2a) the character of one who can be relied on
Origin: from 3982; TDNT – 6:174,849; n f
Usage: AV – faith 239, assurance 1,
Blessed – 3107 μακάριος makarios {mak-ar’-ee-os}
Meaning: 1) blessed, happy
Origin: a prolonged form of the poetical makar (meaning the same); TDNT – 4:362,548; adj
Usage: AV – blessed 44, happy 5, happier 1; 50
Notes:
1 from henceforth…: or, from henceforth saith the Spirit, Yea
Rest – 373 ἀναπαύω anapauo {an-ap-ow’-o}
Meaning: 1) to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength 2) to give rest, refresh, to give one’s self rest, take rest 3) to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation
Origin: from 303 and 3973; TDNT – 1:350,56; v
Usage: AV – rest 4, refresh 4, take rest 2, give rest 1, take ease 1; 12
Labours – 2873 κόπος kopos {kop’-os}
Meaning: 1) a beating 2) a beating of the breast with grief, sorrow 3) labour 3a) trouble 3a1) to cause one trouble, make work for him 3b) intense labour united with trouble and toil
Origin: from 2875; TDNT – 3:827,453; n m
Usage: AV – labour 13, trouble + 3830 5, weariness 1; 19
Works – 2041 ἔργον ergon {er’-gon}
Meaning: 1) business, employment, that which any one is occupied 1a) that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking 2) any product whatever, any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind 3) an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work