By Brannon Howse
April 7, 2025

Greetings, friends, and welcome to this critical discussion rooted in the unchanging Word of God. On April 6, 2025, during Worldview Weekend Hour, I presented Lesson 36 in our ongoing study of the Book of Revelation, titled "The Endurance of the Saints and Their Rest and Reward." We dove into Revelation 14:12-13, a passage that speaks to the steadfast faith of tribulation saints amid unimaginable persecution. Yet, as I taught, it became abundantly clear that this text is being twisted by some to prop up a dangerous theological system—Calvinism—that I firmly believe presents "another gospel" (Galatians 1:6-9). Tonight, I’m here to set the record straight, not with my opinions, but with what God’s Word says—and doesn’t say.

The Text: Revelation 14:12-13

Let’s start with the Scripture itself:
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Revelation 14:12-13, KJV)

This passage, set in the context of the Tribulation, describes believers—saints—who refuse the mark of the beast, enduring persecution that bars them from buying or selling (Revelation 13:17). An angel has just warned of eternal torment for those who worship the beast (Revelation 14:9-11). Against this backdrop, these saints stand firm, empowered by their faith in Jesus Christ. Their "patience" or "perseverance" (Greek: hupomone, Strong’s #5281) reflects steadfast endurance in trials, and their "works follow them" into eternity as evidence of their faith—their works are not the root of their salvation but the fruit of their salvation.

The Biblical Meaning: Faith, Not Works

What’s the key takeaway? These saints aren’t saved by their endurance or obedience. They endure because they’re saved. Their faith in Christ—described as "the faith of Jesus"—produces the fruit of steadfastness. Robert L. Thomas nails it when he writes, "The connection of the commandments with the faith shows that obedience is not a requirement for sonship, but the result of it." Salvation comes by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), and the Holy Spirit empowers believers to stand firm. This isn’t about justification (being declared righteous); it’s about sanctification (growing in faithfulness post-salvation).

The reward? For these tribulation saints, it’s rest from their labors and a special recognition. They will receive a special reward. When this happens for the tribulations saints is unclear. But Christians or members of the church will receive rewards for our service and obedience at the Bema Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). These are rewards—not for salvation, but for service. As J. Vernon McGee aptly states, "God does not save anyone for his works, but he does reward us for our works." Their faith saves them; their works testify to it.

The Calvinist Twist: A False Gospel

Sadly, this beautiful truth gets mangled by Calvinists who wield Revelation 14:12 to prop up their doctrine of "perseverance of the saints"—the "P" in TULIP. John MacArthur, in his commentary, claims this verse "introduces one of the most important and most comforting doctrines in Scripture," asserting that "all those whom God has elected, called, and justified will never lose their faith, but will persevere in it until death." Sounds nice, right? But here’s the catch: he adds, "The doctrine of perseverance must not be misconstrued as teaching that believers will be eternally saved regardless of their belief or behavior."

Wait a minute. If salvation hinges on my behavior, how is that not works? MacArthur doubles down in The Gospel According to Jesus, writing: "Thus in a sense we pay the ultimate price for salvation when our sinful self is nailed to a cross. It is a total abandonment of self-will, like the grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies so that it can bear much fruit. It is an exchange of all that we are for all that Christ is. And it denotes implicit obedience, full surrender to the lordship of Christ. Nothing less can qualify as saving faith."

Friends, show me that in the Bible! You can’t, because it’s not there. Salvation is by faith alone—period (John 5:24; Romans 5:1).

John Piper echoes this heresy, claiming in a 2017 Desiring God article that "essential to the Christian life and necessary for final salvation is the killing of sin and the pursuit of holiness." Necessary for final salvation? That’s a works-based gospel, plain and simple. The Bible says, "He who believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment" (John 5:24). No qualifiers. No "enduring obedience" checklist.

Why This Matters: Justification vs. Sanctification

Calvinists like MacArthur and Piper conflate justification (a one-time act of faith in Christ) with sanctification (a lifelong process of growing in obedience). Justification is instantaneous—Christ’s righteousness imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Sanctification is ongoing, a struggle between the "old man" and the "new mind" (Romans 7:15-20). Paul himself admits, "The good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." Was Paul unsaved? Of course not! His salvation rested on Christ, not his performance.

Jesus Christ became my savior and my Lord at the moment I placed my faith and trust in Christ alone as the perfect Lamb that paid the price for my sin on the cross and defeated death and the grave through His resurrection. After justification comes sanctification; and I began to conform my life to his character and nature through the now indwelling Holy Spirit that helps me to understand the Bible and give me the power to live the Christian life. Sanctification is a life-long process as I seek to daily surrender all areas of my life to His Lordship by denying my will and pursing obedience and faithfulness. When sanctification is described as how you hold on to your justification then a works based gospel is born. 

Yet Calvinism insists you must "persevere" to prove you’re elect. Who decides what’s enough? MacArthur writes in Saved Without a Doubt, "If a person fails to love and obey the Lord through the trials of life, then there is no evidence that he possesses saving faith." So, if I stumble, doubt creeps in—am I really saved? That’s not comfort; that’s torment. The Bible says, "These things I have written to you who believe… that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). Assurance, not anxiety, is God’s promise. The ministry of Piper and MacArthur is not only preaching a false gospel but distorting the character and nature of God and stealing the peace of true believers with their false gospel of works. 

The Broader Heresy of Calvinism

This isn’t just about one verse. Calvinism’s five points—Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints—distort God’s character. They claim God predestines billions to hell with no choice, that Christ’s sacrifice isn’t freely offered to all (contra John 3:16), and that you can’t know you’re saved unless you produce enough fruit. Bob Kirkland’s book Calvinism: None Dare Call It Heresy nails it: 

"Today, a growing number of churches, ministries, and Christian colleges are promoting Calvinism. While Calvinist scholars claim that Calvinism is complex (and they have indeed created a complex system), the rudiments of it are very basic, and it can be readily understood.To call something heresy is clearly a strong accusation and should never be done flippantly. For something to be heresy, it must deviate from the fundamental teachings of the Bible. And nothing can be more serious than a deviation from the Gospel itself. Calvinism does present “another gospel.” John Calvin taught that God will be glorified by bringing billions of people into this world for no other purpose than having them burn in Hell for eternity. This alone depicts a view of God found nowhere in Scripture; in essence, this misrepresents God but also creates a platform upon which “another gospel” has been built that is both fatalistic and makes the sacrifice of Christ no longer freely available to “whosoever may come.” Salvation is no longer a matter of choice. Furthermore, the Calvinist can never actually know if he or she is one of “the elect” thereby placing the Calvinist “Gospel” on a foundation of doubt rather than true biblical belief in the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. If that is not heresy, then what is?"

Thomas Jefferson, in an 1823 letter to John Adams, called Calvin’s God "a demon of malignant spirit." I agree 100%.  When Calvinism attributes evil—like the Holocaust—to God’s decree (as Piper’s staff has suggested), it blasphemes His holy nature. Scripture says God "desires all men to be saved" (1 Timothy 2:4), not a select few.

A John Piper's national conference Mark Talbot proclaimed: "This includes — as incredible and as unacceptable as it may currently seem — God’s having even brought about the Nazis’ brutality at Birkenau and Auschwitz as well as the terrible killings of Dennis Rader and even the sexual abuse of a young child." 

This is to this day posted on the website of John Piper and I have a screen shot of this article in my presentation. 

The heresy of John Piper, as well as what I think can be described as antisemitism, is well documented. Yet, in March of 2024 John MacArthur had John Pier sitting with him on his church platform for his conference. 

A Call to Biblical Fidelity

Friends, Revelation 14:12 isn’t about Calvinist perseverance; it’s about tribulation saints whose faith in Christ empowers them to endure. Don’t let anyone twist this text—or any Scripture—to peddle a works-based gospel. Galatians 1:8-9 is clear: "If anyone preaches another gospel… let him be accursed." I’m not here to win popularity contests. I’m here to teach God’s Word faithfully, as a watchman warning against deception and to warn of the men that have risen from within (Acts 20:30).

Examine your faith tonight. Are you trusting in Christ alone for justification? Are you growing in sanctification, not to earn salvation, but to honor your Savior? And are you ready for glorification, when we’ll stand before the Bema Seat—not to be judged for salvation, but rewarded for service? That’s the gospel. Simple. Biblical. True.

If this resonates with you, support our work at WorldviewFoundation.com. We’re fighting apostasy in these last days, and we need watchmen like you. Until next time, I’m Brannon Howse. Take care.

WATCH FULL SHOW: https://worldviewtube.com/tv/video/how-revelation-1412-used-calvinists-…