One of the great distinguishing features of the Christian is that he suffers with Christ and, more than this, that he is content to wait, as Christ waits, for the great day. He is not anxious for the glory of the world now; his portion is not here; the Christian is waiting, as becomes the bride, for the exaltation of the Bridegroom over the earth.
The bride knows that the Bridegroom is exalted in heaven, and her heart is where her treasure is. Christ is glorified at the right hand of God, and her present joy is to know well that He who is her Bridegroom is coming, that He will first gather to Himself His bride, and that in due time He will display His bride with Himself in glory.
Christ is patiently waiting to come; He looks onward to the future as much in heaven as He did when He was on the earth.
Because we keep the word of His patience, He says, "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation [or trial], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
Those who keep the word of His patience are not to be there when the hour comes; that is to say, it is a complete removal from the time of the trouble. The church of God will be exempt; the faithful will be kept from it. By the faithful I mean all the children of God. [35]