Revelation 2:10

New International Version (NIV)

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Meditation

In the shortest of the seven letters to the churches, Jesus brought no complaints against the church in Smyrna, only a commendation for their spiritual richness despite their affliction and poverty (Revelation 2:8-9). They were poor materially because they would not compromise their faith like some other churches did. Their non-compromising stance on the cultic practices of the Roman culture resulted in the denial of many social privileges. What a church that was!

Today, many are compromising their faith for economic and social expediency. That’s the prevailing situation today, and you can’t do otherwise if you want to survive, they say. Yes, there is a price to pay for genuine faith, a cross to carry for true discipleship of Jesus Christ (Luke 9:23-26), but He can sustain the faithful in every situation (Is. 43:2).

A compassionate and gracious God that He is, Jesus revealed the imminent persecution to them (Revelation 2:10). Trying times were ahead. Still, the Lord of the church encouraged them to be fearless and faithful. He is the initiator of their faith, and He would stand with them to the end of it (v.8; Hebrews 12:2). No matter what the government of the day did to them, Jesus admonished the church to remain true to their faith in Him (Revelation 2:10). That is what we miss these days.

We often cower under threat and easily succumb to external pressure. We have become unassertive and timid before the world. If only we would heed Jesus’ rebuke to the disciples after He calmed the storm: Where is your faith (Luke 8:25)?   

Isn’t it wonderful to have a Master who knows our current and future events and plans to take care of us (Revelation 2:9-10)? Such knowledge demands we trust Jesus because He knows the devil’s plans concerning His church today (10). He knows how Satan uses people to accomplish his wicked plans against us (Ephesians 6:10-18). The good news is that He knows how to keep us from those snares and sustain us through the storms of life so we can endure and prevail (Psalm 91:3-16).

Jesus urged the Smyrna congregation to remain fearless and faithful, even unto death. In the same way, we can also be brave and resolute in opposing the treachery of the world for His sake. Christ motivated the Smyrna church with the promised crown of life. He promises the same reward to all who love Him and endure persecution for His sake (James 1:12). We must, therefore, take our stand for Jesus in every circumstance and situation (Daniel 1:8), trusting His faithfulness to secure us in Himself.

He who is our Savior and Protector will give you His joy to be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10) till we win the ultimate victory on the shores of heaven.

Pray with Me

Our dear heavenly Father, strengthen our faith in your Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit to take our stand against the assault of this world and the temptations we face each day because of your name on us. Thank you for your full armor that equips us for this warfare for victory in Christ. Amen.