Law keepers are very well trained in their error. Whenever they see the word commandment they think of the 10 commandments.

Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 14:12 are NOT speaking about the Ten Commandments.  If you look at the Greek word for “commandments” it is the word “entolas” which means teachings, instructions or commands.  This word is used always in John's writings when He is referring to the instructions or teachings that came from Jesus Christ.  When John refers to the Ten Commandments in his writings he uses a different Greek word, “nomas.” John is making a distinction of the commands under the old covenant and the new Covenant.

As with anything, we must read it in context to get an accurate understanding of the meaning behind the words. We also need to make a distinction of what is said before the covenant was implemented, while they were still under the Old Covenant.

I Jn 2:7-8 “Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.”

The word “commandment” is made to appear as support for the Old Testament commands by those who want to fit the Old Testament model into the New Covenant. This word when used by the apostles is NOT speaking of the commandments from the Mosaic Law. If we read this in context and go back to the preceding verses (and also read further on) we can understand this correctly.

I Jn. 2:3-5: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

I Jn 3:24: ‘Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

What commandments is he speaking of? The previous v.23 “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just He gave us commandment.” So this scripture has absolutely nothing to do with the Old Testament commandments. Furthermore, the term from the beginning means when they first heard Jesus teach, which also supports it is about the commands from Jesus. John 15:14, 17 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” v.17”These things I command you, that you love one another.”

Jn. 13:34: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jn. 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Again supporting this point is what we began with, I Jn. 2:7.: “Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

John defines for us what the “commandments” of God are.  I Jn. 5:2-3: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments (Gr. entolas).  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments (entolas); and His commandments (entolae) are not burdensome.”

We aren't left to guess what these “commandments” are.  The context of I John 3:22-24: believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded (entolaen) us.  The one who keeps His commandments (entolas) abides in Him.” It is referring to Acts 1:2 when Jesus stayed for another 40 days AFTER his resurrection to teach. Its says, “until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen.” Once Jesus ascended and was glorified He sent the Holy Spirit that gave them new commands on how to live in the new covenant that would operate by grace and not law.