Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about #– #the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
I will put this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, “They are my people,” and they will say, “The Lord is our God.” ’
Some of those who have insight will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and cleansed until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.
When the ambassadors of Babylon’s rulers were sent to him to enquire about the miraculous sign that happened in the land, God left him to test him and discover what was in his heart.
Remember that the Lord your God led you on the entire journey these forty years in the wilderness, so that he might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.