"The Hour Of Test"

Jesus goes on to say: "Because you kept the word about my endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to put a test upon those dwelling on the earth. I am coming quickly. Keep on holding fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." (Revelation 3:10, 11) Although the Christians of John's day would not survive to the Lord's day (beginning in 1914), their confidence that Jesus was coming would give them power to keep on preaching. (Revelation 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:2) The "crown," or prize of everlasting life, awaited them in heaven. (James 1:12; Revelation 11:18) If they were faithful to the death, no one could deprive them of that reward.-Revelation 2:10.

What, though, is "the hour of test"? No doubt, those Christians in Asia had to cope with a further wave of terrible persecution from imperial Rome. Nevertheless, the major fulfillment is the hour of sifting and judging that finally arrived during the Lord's day, climaxing from 1918 onward. The test has been to determine whether on is for God's established Kingdom or for Satan's world. It is for a comparatively short period, an "hour," but it is not over yet. Until it is, we must never forget that we are living in "the hour of test."-Luke 21:34-36.

In 1918 the John class of anointed Christians-like that staunch congregation in Philadelphia - had to face opposition from the modern-day "synagogue of Satan." Religious leaders of Christendom, who claimed to be spiritual Jews, slyly maneuvered the rulers to suppress true Christians. Nevertheless, these tried hard to 'keep the word of Jesus' endurance'; hence,, with spiritual help, a significant "little power," they survived and were aroused to enter the door that now opened before them. In what way?

Next time: "An Opened Door"