Revelation 14:12

This verse contains John’s word of encouragement to believers in the Great Tribulation (cf. Revelation 13:10 b, 18; Revelation 17:9). It is better to experience the beast’s punishment, even martyrdom, than God’s punishment.

This verse is not saying that if genuine believers apostatize and worship the beast they will lose their salvation and suffer eternal punishment. It is saying that if they worship the beast they will experience temporal punishment from God along with beast-worshippers (Revelation 14:10). This temporal punishment is only the first phase of the punishment that unbelievers will experience (Revelation 14:11), but it is the only phase that believers will experience (cf. Romans 8:31-39).

In view of their hope, believers during the Great Tribulation should persevere in obedience and trust, good works and faith in God, plus ethical conduct and reliance on Jesus Christ. This is an encouragement to persevere, not a guarantee that the saints will persevere. [Note: Beckwith, p. 658; Moffatt, 5:439; Robertson, 6:413. See Robert N. Wilkin, "The Mark of the Beast and Perseverance; Revelation 14:9-12," Grace Evangelical Society News 6:6 (June 1991):2-3.] Obedience to God’s commandments and continuing trust in Jesus will see the faithful through these days of tribulation successfully.