Revelation 14:12-13 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.… I. God has always a people for His name; He owns them to be SAINTS; and they are often found where we should little expect to find them. They are called holy for two reasons. 1. The first is taken from their dedication God. 2. The second is derived from their personal renovation. The instruments under the law were only holy by appropriation. No change passed upon them. It is otherwise with us; we must be "made meet for the" great "Master's use." Hence regeneration is necessary. II. ON THE CONNECTION THERE IS BETWEEN SAINTS AND PATIENCE. 1. Saints only have patience. A man may endure, and not be patient; there may be no religious principle or motive to influence him; it may be a careless indolence; a stupid insensibility; a kind of mechanical or constitutional fortitude; a daring stoutness of spirit resulting from fatalism, philosophy, or pride. Christian patience is another thing; it is derived from a Divine agency; it is nourished by heavenly truth; it is guided by Scriptural rules. 2. Every saint possesses patience. They do not indeed possess it in equal degrees. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit; it is an essential part of the Divine image restored in man. 3. It highly becomes saints to cultivate patience. "The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is in the sight of God of great price." It ennobles the possessor. It recommends his religion. It carries along with it a peculiar conviction. III. Some CASES in which the patience of the saints is to be rendered ILLUSTRIOUS and STRIKING. 1. It is to be displayed in bearing provocation. "It must needs be that offences will come." Our opinions, reputations, connections, offices, businesses, render us widely vulnerable. (1) His peace requires it. People love to sting the passionate. (2) His wisdom requires it. "He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. Anger resteth in the bosom of fools."(3) His dignity requires it. "It is the glory of a man to pass by a transgression."(4) It is also required by examples the most worthy of our imitation. 2. Patience is to be displayed in suffering affliction. 3. Patience is to be exercised under delays. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.WEB: Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." |
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