1515.. WHAT IS THE PATIENCE OF THE WHAT IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS?SAINTS?

REVELATION 13:10REVELATION 13:10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Why should the saints exercise patience?Why should the saints exercise patience?

Five reasonsFive reasons::

1.1. BeastBeast

2.2. Image Image

3.3. Mark Mark

4.4. Crisis Crisis

5.5. Faith: TestingFaith: Testing

What is the patience of the saints?What is the patience of the saints?

REVELATION 14:12REVELATION 14:12Here is the Here is the patience of the saintspatience of the saints: here [are] they : here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.of Jesus.

Desire to endureDesire to endure Desire to persevereDesire to persevere Desire to suffer longDesire to suffer long

God is in control…outcomeGod is in control…outcome God is our avengerGod is our avenger Suffer with ChristSuffer with Christ Servants not SuperstarsServants not Superstars

BIBLE EVIDENCE: PATIENCE OF THE BIBLE EVIDENCE: PATIENCE OF THE SAINTSSAINTS

LUKE 18:1-3, 5-8LUKE 18:1-3, 5-8

And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought men ought always to pray, and not to faintalways to pray, and not to faint; Saying, ; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. Yet because this widow me of mine adversary. Yet because this widow troubleth me, troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary mecoming she weary me. . I tell you that he will avenge I tell you that he will avenge them speedilythem speedily. Nevertheless when the . Nevertheless when the Son of man Son of man comethcometh, shall he find faith on the earth?, shall he find faith on the earth?

SYMBOLISMS & REPRESENTATIONSSYMBOLISMS & REPRESENTATIONSApplication: LUKE 18:1-3, 5-8Application: LUKE 18:1-3, 5-8

1.1. The Judge: Jesus ChristThe Judge: Jesus Christ

ELLEN G. WHITE, CELLEN G. WHITE, Christ object lessons, “hrist object lessons, “Shall Not Shall Not God Avenge His Own?”--pGod Avenge His Own?”--p.164.164

2.2. The adversary: Devil The adversary: Devil

1 PETER 5:81 PETER 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:whom he may devour:

3.3. The forsaken widow: Church or elect of God The forsaken widow: Church or elect of God [LUKE 18: 7][LUKE 18: 7]

WIDOW/CHURCH NEEDS PATIENCE: WIDOW/CHURCH NEEDS PATIENCE: GREAT TRIBULATIONGREAT TRIBULATION

MATTHEW 24: 21-22-24MATTHEW 24: 21-22-24For then shall be For then shall be great tribulationgreat tribulation, such as was not , such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. …But for the ever shall be. …But for the elect's sakeelect's sake those days those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. For there shall arise false Christ'sFor there shall arise false Christ's,, and and false false prophetsprophets, and shall show , and shall show great signs and wondersgreat signs and wonders; ; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.deceive the very elect.

REVELATION 13:13REVELATION 13:13And he doeth great wonders, so that he And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire maketh fire come down from heavencome down from heaven on the earth in the sight of on the earth in the sight of men,...men,...

HOW SOON WILL DELIVERANCE OF HOW SOON WILL DELIVERANCE OF THE SAINTS COME?THE SAINTS COME?

LUKE 21:1-3 [The widow’s mite] & 4-9 [Tribulation]LUKE 21:1-3 [The widow’s mite] & 4-9 [Tribulation]

-- Accost/assault/capture/persecute/imprisonedAccost/assault/capture/persecute/imprisoned

-- Betrayal by parents: Family & friendsBetrayal by parents: Family & friends

-- They will: Hate/kill you…Christ nameThey will: Hate/kill you…Christ name

ISAIAH 54:6-8ISAIAH 54:6-8

For the LORD hath called thee as a woman For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsakenforsaken and and grievedgrieved in spirit, and a wife of youth,… in spirit, and a wife of youth,…For a For a small moment have I forsaken theesmall moment have I forsaken thee; …; …In a little In a little wrath I hid my face from theewrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemerthe LORD thy Redeemer..

ISAIAH 54:10ISAIAH 54:10For the For the mountains shall departmountains shall depart, and the , and the hills be hills be removedremoved; but my ; but my kindness shall not depart from kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removedremoved,, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

Is this similar to what’s going to happen in the Is this similar to what’s going to happen in the end-time?end-time?

DANIEL 11 & 12—Saints:DANIEL 11 & 12—Saints:1.1. A time of trouble…similar to Jacob’sA time of trouble…similar to Jacob’s2.2. Assurance of forgiveness of past sinsAssurance of forgiveness of past sins3.3. Michael will stand up for the SaintsMichael will stand up for the Saints4.4. Patience…TribulationsPatience…Tribulations 5.5. Faith: Severely testedFaith: Severely tested

PATIENCE OF JOB: ADVERSARYPATIENCE OF JOB: ADVERSARY

Did Job loose everything he had?Did Job loose everything he had? Did Job loose his servants, children, health, and his Did Job loose his servants, children, health, and his

wife?wife? Did Job loose his friends?Did Job loose his friends? Did Job cry out to God for justice? Did Job cry out to God for justice? Was there a delay? Does Job give up? Was there a delay? Does Job give up? Does Job keep on persisting like the widow?Does Job keep on persisting like the widow? Does God answer Job at the end of his torment?Does God answer Job at the end of his torment? Does God restore or double all his possessions? Does God restore or double all his possessions?

[JOB 42:10][JOB 42:10]

JOB’S NINE P’SJOB’S NINE P’S

Possession Possession Position or status Position or status

PartnerPartner PsychePsyche

Physical bodyPhysical body ProtectionProtection ProfessionProfession Posterity Posterity PeasantsPeasants

WHO WAS JOB’S ADVERSARY?WHO WAS JOB’S ADVERSARY?JOB 41:1JOB 41:1

Canst thou draw out Canst thou draw out leviathanleviathan with an hook? or his with an hook? or his tongue with a cord [which] thou lettest down?tongue with a cord [which] thou lettest down?

Who is Who is leviathanleviathan??

ISAIAH 27:1ISAIAH 27:1In that day the LORDIn that day the LORD with his sore and great and with his sore and great and strong sword strong sword shall punish leviathanshall punish leviathan the the piercing piercing serpentserpent, even , even leviathan that crooked serpentleviathan that crooked serpent; and ; and he shall he shall slay the dragonslay the dragon that [is] in the that [is] in the seasea..

Did Job give up his patience?Did Job give up his patience?

SAINTS: TESTED LIKE JOB & THE SAINTS: TESTED LIKE JOB & THE THREE HEBREW BOYSTHREE HEBREW BOYS

Hebrew Boys: Golden imageHebrew Boys: Golden image

Did Nebuchadnezzar imposed a nationwide law Did Nebuchadnezzar imposed a nationwide law against worshipping the true God?against worshipping the true God?

Could God have delivered those three boys before Could God have delivered those three boys before they were thrown into the furnace? they were thrown into the furnace?

Was their faith severely tested?Was their faith severely tested? Did these tests and experiences strengthened their Did these tests and experiences strengthened their

faith?faith?

WAS THERE A DELAY?WAS THERE A DELAY?

DANIEL 3:28--[Delay vss. 20-28]DANIEL 3:28--[Delay vss. 20-28]

Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who who hath sent his angelhath sent his angel, and , and delivered his servants delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's that trusted in him, and have changed the king's wordword, and yielded their bodies, that they might not , and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

EARTH’S COMING CRISIS: SAINTSEARTH’S COMING CRISIS: SAINTS

Who is going to bring on this crisis?Who is going to bring on this crisis?- The beast [Sea], his mark, and his number…The beast [Sea], his mark, and his number…- The beast [Land] or the image to the beastThe beast [Land] or the image to the beast- False prophet (s)False prophet (s)

MATTHEW 24:21MATTHEW 24:21For then shall be For then shall be great tribulationgreat tribulation, , such as was not such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.nor ever shall be.

- Hebrew boys: Seven times Hebrew boys: Seven times - Patience of the saints: Seven last plagues Patience of the saints: Seven last plagues

CANAANITE WOMAN: SYMBOL CANAANITE WOMAN: SYMBOL MATTHEW 15:22-28MATTHEW 15:22-28

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] son of David; my mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, and besought him, saying, Send her awaySend her away; ; for she for she crieth after uscrieth after us. …Then came she and worshipped . …Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, him, saying, Lord, help mehelp me. But he answered and . But he answered and said, said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast [it] to dogscast [it] to dogs. And she said, . And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' tabletable. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, . Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O O woman, great [is] thy faithwoman, great [is] thy faith: : be it unto thee even be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hourfrom that very hour. .

WAS THERE A DELAY IN THE WAS THERE A DELAY IN THE CANAANITE’S WOMAN’S REQUEST?CANAANITE’S WOMAN’S REQUEST?

MATTHEW 15:28MATTHEW 15:28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wiltwilt…. ….

LUKE 18:7LUKE 18:7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?with them?

PSALMS 22:1, 2 PSALMS 22:1, 2 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken meMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? O ? O my God, I cry in the my God, I cry in the daytimedaytime, but thou hearest not; , but thou hearest not; and in the and in the night seasonnight season, and am not silent. , and am not silent.

““MY GOD…” GOD IS SILENT!MY GOD…” GOD IS SILENT!MATTHEW 26:39, 42, 44MATTHEW 26:39, 42, 44

And And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from methis cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but : nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]. as thou [wilt]. He went away again the second time, He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be donedone. And . And he left them, and went away again, and he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same wordsprayed the third time, saying the same words..

MATTHEW 27:46MATTHEW 27:46

……Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? …Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? …My God, my God, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken mewhy hast thou forsaken me??

DID JESUS HAVE FAITH IN HIS FATHER?DID JESUS HAVE FAITH IN HIS FATHER?

HEBREWS 5:7, 8HEBREWS 5:7, 8Who in the days of his flesh, Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he fearedand was heard in that he feared; ; Though he were a Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;he suffered;......

MATTHEW 28:2MATTHEW 28:2And, behold, And, behold, there was a great earthquakethere was a great earthquake: for the : for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon itupon it. .

HOW WILL THE SAINTS OF GOD HOW WILL THE SAINTS OF GOD LEARN PATIENCE?LEARN PATIENCE?

ISAIAH 48:10ISAIAH 48:10

Behold, I have Behold, I have refined theerefined thee, but not with , but not with silver; silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of I have chosen thee in the furnace of afflictionaffliction..

JOB 23:10JOB 23:10

But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath hath triedtried me, I shall come forth as gold. me, I shall come forth as gold.

ELLEN G. WHITE, ELLEN G. WHITE, THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, pp. 618, 619, pp. 618, 619, 630-631630-631

Jacob was driven almost to despair; but he knew Jacob was driven almost to despair; but he knew that without help from Heaven he must perish. He that without help from Heaven he must perish. He had sincerely repented of his great sin, and he had sincerely repented of his great sin, and he appealed to the mercy of God. He would not be appealed to the mercy of God. He would not be turned from his purpose, but held fast the Angel, turned from his purpose, but held fast the Angel, and urged his petition with earnest, agonizing cries, and urged his petition with earnest, agonizing cries, until he prevailed. As Satan influenced Esau to until he prevailed. As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob, so he will stir up the wicked to march against Jacob, so he will stir up the wicked to destroy God's people in the time of troubledestroy God's people in the time of trouble. . He He numbers the world as his subjects; but the little numbers the world as his subjects; but the little company who keep the commandments of God are company who keep the commandments of God are resisting his supremacyresisting his supremacy…. ….

……As Satan accuses the people of God on account of As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and firmness, will be severely tested. firmness, will be severely tested. Their faith does Their faith does not fail because their prayers are not not fail because their prayers are not immediately answeredimmediately answered. Though suffering the . Though suffering the keenest anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not keenest anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not cease their intercessions. Day and night they cry cease their intercessions. Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance. Yet they cease not their unto God for deliverance. Yet they cease not their earnest intercession. But they must wait yet a little earnest intercession. But they must wait yet a little longer. The very delay, so painful to them, is the longer. The very delay, so painful to them, is the best answer to their petitions. best answer to their petitions. As they endeavor to As they endeavor to wait trustingly for the Lord to work, they are led to wait trustingly for the Lord to work, they are led to exercise faith, hope, and exercise faith, hope, and patiencepatience, which have been , which have been too little exercised during their religious experiencetoo little exercised during their religious experience. . Yet for the elect's sake, the time of trouble will be Yet for the elect's sake, the time of trouble will be shortened. shortened.