In the letter to the church of Philadelphia, a significant promise is made: Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. This hour of trial refers to a time of immense pressure and temptation, when deception will be widespread, a powerful tyrant will demand worship, and financial controls will challenge faithfulness. It will be a period marked by blatant idolatry, religious deception, and the attractiveness of worldly luxury and ease, making it easy to become distracted or to compromise. Christ's promise centers on perseverance, described as courageous endurance or cheerful, hopeful endurance under suffering. This is not passive waiting but active spiritual resistance against Satan, the world, and personal carnality. For those who have already proved their faithfulness through consistent perseverance, Christ assures protection from the worst of this trial. Their track record of constancy under duress demonstrates their readiness, and thus, they may not be required to endure the hardest tests. The concept of being kept from this hour involves reciprocity. Just as we desire God to guard and hold us fast during this time of trial, we must diligently guard and maintain our responsibilities to the covenant now. If we actively attend to our faith and relationship with God, He will take an active interest in our well-being during that challenging period. For those who are already keeping His command to persevere, they will face hardship but will receive a blessing of protection because they are accustomed to walking through life with God and drawing upon His strength.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was a strong belief among some that the church would be taken to a Place of Safety, hidden from the Great Tribulation prophesied to come upon the earth. This expectation lingered, with many wondering if each holy day might be the moment of departure to a secure location. Despite the passage of time and significant changes in the world, the question remains whether the church will still be taken out of the turmoil of the Tribulation and protected. Revelation 3:10 speaks of being kept from the hour of trial, a promise given to those who persevere, as Jesus declares, "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." This concept of protection aligns with Ezekiel 5:3, where a small portion is bound securely, suggesting a meaning of being hidden or guarded in a secret place. The idea of hiding is recurrent in Scripture, often associated with safety or divine protection, and it underscores the notion of a Place of Safety where God will shield His faithful at the end. Ezekiel 5:4 further indicates that even among those initially hidden, some may be removed to face severe testing, revealing that the focus should not solely be on reaching a Place of Safety, but on being worthy to enter the Kingdom of God at Christ's return. Jesus Christ, as the High Priest, will judge and decide who is protected from tribulation, looking for those who have kept His word and not denied His name, as noted in Revelation 3:8. Zephaniah 2:2-3 also urges repentance and seeking the Lord, suggesting that those who comply with His will may be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger. Ultimately, God will decide who is hidden from the hour of trial, emphasizing the urgency to align with His commandments and seek righteousness.