Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Patience. 'The word of my persevering endurance' is my Gospel word, which teaches it in expectation of my coming (Revelation 1:9). My endurance is the endurance which I require and I practice. Christ Himself now endures, patiently waiting until the usurper be cast out, and all "His enemies be made His footstool." So, too, His Church, for the joy before her of sharing His coming kingdom, endures patiently. Hence, (Revelation 3:11) follows, "Behold, I come quickly."
I also. The reward is in kind: 'because thou didst keep,' etc., 'I also (on my side) will keep thee,' etc.
From, х ek (G1537), not apo (G575)] - '(so as to deliver thee) out of,' not to exempt from temptation.
The hour of (the) temptation - the appointed season of affliction (Deuteronomy 4:34, the plagues are called "the temptations of Egypt"): the sore temptation coming on: the great tribulation before Christ's second coming.
To try them that dwell upon the earth - of earth, earthy (Revelation 8:13). "Dwell" implies their home is earth, not heaven. All mankind, except the elect (Revelation 13:8; Revelation 13:14). The temptation brings out the fidelity of those kept by Christ, and hardens the reprobates (Revelation 9:20-21; Revelation 16:11; Revelation 16:21). The persecutions which befell Philadelphia shortly after, were the earnest of the great tribulation before Christ's coming, to which the Church's attention in all ages is directed.