13:10
“If anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed[c] with the sword,
with the sword they will be killed.”[d]
This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.
“If anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed[c] with the sword,
with the sword they will be killed.”[d]
How interesting that in between two of the most evil beasts this earth will ever see, we get a recap of an everlasting "God TRUTH". This principle is first stated in Genesis 9:6, and was used later by the prophets (Jeremiah 43:8-13; Jeremiah 15:1-4; and Zechariah 11:4-14). Here John points out that the very few believers who make a commitment to Christ during this middle of Tribulation time, will be held captive or killed. These believers already sense that they will be asked to take the mark of the beast (verse 17).
This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.
The use of 'This calls' implies that at this very point before the "earth beast" appears, the saints must take a passive stand. E.W. Bullinger indicates that there are "three great requisites for those 'times of trouble'".
At this point in the tribulation, "flight" is not an option; only PERSEVERANCE and FAITH remain. But we only need to look at our Example (Hebrews 12:1-2) and the reward (Hebrews 10:32-39).
[c] Some manuscripts anyone kills
[d] Jer. 15:2