Context No. 2773 of 4322 · Revelation

Revelation 2:8-12: in context

8“To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: 9“I know your works, oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death. 12“To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: “He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:

The letter to the church at Smyrna is short and carries no rebuke at all, only comfort for a suffering people. Christ introduces himself as the first and the last, who died and came to life, and then says: I know your affliction and your poverty, but you are rich. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. The devil is going to throw some of you into prison, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

To a poor, hunted, frightened congregation, Christ does not promise escape. He promises his presence and a crown. He calls their poverty riches, and their coming imprisonment a testing with a fixed limit, ten days, not forever. And the charge is stark and tender at once: stay faithful all the way to death, and then death itself, the second death, will have no hold on you at all.

If my faithfulness cost me everything, do I believe the crown of life on the far side is worth more than what I would keep by giving in?

Sources

Revelation 2:10: "Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life."
James 1:12: "Blessed is a person who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life."
Matthew 5:12: "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you."