Revelation 2:8-12: a reflection

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:

To the suffering church at Smyrna, poor and oppressed and facing worse to come, the risen Christ speaks words of encouragement and promise. Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer, he says; you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. He does not promise them escape from suffering; he calls them to be faithful through it, even to the point of death, and holds out the promise of the crown of life. The call is to faithfulness in the midst of suffering, sustained by the promise of the reward Christ will give to those who endure.

Notice the call and the promise: be faithful through suffering, and receive the crown of life. Christ does not tell the church at Smyrna that they will be spared suffering; he acknowledges that suffering is coming, even to death. But he calls them to be faithful through it, not to abandon him under the pressure of suffering; and he promises the crown of life to those who endure faithfully. The faithfulness is to be maintained through the suffering, sustained not by escape but by the promise of what Christ will give. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life: the call to endure faithfully, held up by the sure promise of the reward.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too are called to be faithful through suffering, sustained by the promise of the crown of life. We may face suffering for our faith, pressure that tempts us to abandon Christ; and we can fear it, or give way under it. But Christ calls us to be faithful through suffering, not promising escape but holding out the crown of life to those who endure. The promise of what Christ will give sustains faithfulness through the hardest suffering. When you face suffering that tempts you to abandon Christ, do not fear or give way; be faithful through it, sustained by the promise of the crown of life. Be faithful to Christ through whatever suffering comes, not abandoning him under pressure but holding to the promise of the crown of life, as he told the church at Smyrna to be faithful to death and receive the crown of life; for Christ calls us to faithfulness through suffering, and the sure promise of the reward he will give sustains those who endure.

Lord Jesus, to the suffering church at Smyrna, poor and oppressed and facing worse to come, you speak words of encouragement and promise. Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer, you say; you will have oppression for ten days; be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. You do not promise them escape from suffering; you call them to be faithful through it, even to the point of death, and hold out the promise of the crown of life. Show me the call and the promise: be faithful through suffering, and receive the crown of life. You do not tell the church at Smyrna that they will be spared suffering; you acknowledge that suffering is coming, even to death. But you call them to be faithful through it, not to abandon you under the pressure of suffering; and you promise the crown of life to those who endure faithfully. The faithfulness is to be maintained through the suffering, sustained not by escape but by the promise of what you will give. Take that to my heart, for I too am called to be faithful through suffering, sustained by the promise of the crown of life. I may face suffering for my faith, pressure that tempts me to abandon you; and I can fear it, or give way under it. But you call me to be faithful through suffering, holding out the crown of life to those who endure. When I face suffering that tempts me to abandon you, keep me from fear or giving way; help me be faithful through it, Lord, sustained by the promise of the crown of life, as you told the church at Smyrna to be faithful to death.