Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 do not teach we must keep the 10 commandments in addition to the gospel.

  

Sabbatarians attempt to make a false distinction in Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 saying the verses prove we must keep the 10 commandments in addition to the Gospel of Christ.

"So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus." (Revelation 12:17) "Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. " (Revelation 14:12)

A. There are several "commandments of God" in the New Testament that are not the 10 commandments:

1. "And He answered and said to them, " Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition ? "For God said , ' Honor your father and mother ,' and, ' He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death .' " (Matthew 15:3-4) "commandments of God" include one of the 10 and one from the book: Ex 21:17; Lev 20:9
2. "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of Godour Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, " (1 Timothy 1:1) Here the commandment of God refers to giving Paul the authority of his apostleship. See Gal 1:11-12
3. "but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, " (Titus 1:3) Here the commandment of God refers to giving Paul the authority of his apostleship. See Gal 1:11-12

B. Sabbatarians create a False chart like this:

	Ten Commandments	Gospel of Christ, Law of Christ, New Testament, word of God.
Revelation 12:17	Who keep the commandments of God	hold to the testimony of Jesus
Revelation 14:12	Who keep the commandments of God	and their faith in Jesus

1. This is false because, as we have seen the expression "commandments of God" always refer to something other than the 10 commandments exclusively in the Old Testament, and never the 10 commandments in the New Testament.
2. The testimony of Jesus is sometimes that part of the gospel
3. If Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 prove the "testimony of Jesus" is the word of God, then what do we do with Rev 1:2 and 1:9 and 20:4? Here the word of God is distinguished from the "testimony of Jesus".

"who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. " (Revelation 1:2)

"I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. " (Revelation 1:9)

"And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand" (Revelation 20:4)

4. In Revelation 19:10 "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" "Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."" (Revelation 19:10)
5. In 1 Cor 1:6 it is merely the message of the cross, burial and resurrection. "even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, "(1 Corinthians 1:6) This certainly does not include the Lord's supper, taking brother to Court (1 Cor 6) etc.

Sabbatarians make a distinction saying that one is the gospel and the "commandments of God" is the 10 commandments. So they say that we are under the gospel but must also keep the 10 commandments. This passage doesn't saying anything about "faith in Christ" but the "testimony of Christ" which they say is the NT. My point to you was that such is a superficial distinction. The testimony of Jesus Christ is a part of the gospel as the commandments are, but none of these expressions are in reference to the 10 commandments. It would be as absurd as approaching Rev. 1:2 and saying there is a difference between the "testimony of Jesus Christ" and "the word of God." Rather, the "testimony of Jesus Christ" is a part of the "word of God." Also see Rev. 1:9. If and when a Sabbatarian brings this up, ask him if the Lord has any other commandments than the 10? If so, how can he be certain that Rev. 12:17 is reference the 10 and not to the commandments that Paul and the apostles wrote (cf. 1 Cor. 14:37)? Philip preached "the name of Jesus Christ" to Samaria (Acts 8:12); but the apostles heard that Samaria received the "word of God" (Acts 8:14). Therefore the testimony of Jesus is the word of God.

C. The proper chart is like this:

Revelation 12:17 Revelation 14:12	Who keep the commandments of God	Everything God expects the Christian to Obey
	hold to the testimony of Jesus and their faith in Jesus	Continue to accept Jesus died and was risen the their day.

We Speak truth in LOVE
"you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth" Jn 8:40