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"If any one is for captivity into captivity he goeth; if any one is to be killed with the
sword he is killed; here is the patience and faith of the saints" (see also 14: 12, 13 for
similar thought).
For forty-two months it will be given to the beast to make war with the saints and to
OVERCOME them. Many will have the patience and faith of Shadrach, Meshach and
Abed-nego and say, "but if not.......we will not serve thy gods". To this period belong
such Psalms as Psa. 10::--
"Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest Thou Thyself in a time of trouble?
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor.......the wicked boasteth of his heart's
desires.......the wicked through pride of his countenance will not seek after God."
The Psalm closes with the coming of the Lord:--
"To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that THE MAN OF THE EARTH may no
more oppress."
Again, Psalm 11: says:--
"If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?"
The answer is supplied in the next verse:--
"The Lord is in His Holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His
eyelids try the children of men, the Lord TRIETH the righteous."
"Here is the patience and faith of the saints."
"Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest,
this shall be the portion of their cup."
Here we have in one verse the awful outpouring of wrath detailed in the Revelation.
Psalm 12: again deals with the same period of trial:--
"Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children
of men.......the wicked walk on every side, when the vilest of the sons of men are
exalted."
Psalm 14: sums up the great man of Satan's right hand.
"The FOOL hath said in his heart, let God not be."
Doubtless in that day of darkness the "fools" will be, apparently, those who trust in a
God who saves them not, who cry to a God who is afar off. "Here is the patience and
faith of the saints", "the just shall live by his faith", "yet a little while and He shall
come, and will not tarry". Do we wonder that, patient as they were, John, who was their
brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus, records
the cry:--
"How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them
that dwell on the earth?"