Be Faithful Unto Death

Rev 2:8  “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. 

Rev 2:9  “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 

Rev 2:10  Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

Rev 2:11  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ 

Those of the church in Smyrna who would not say that Caesar is Lord and burn incense to him were persecuted. Their jobs were taken away, they were in extreme poverty and some had great fear, even death in the arena. Jesus spoke through the prophet John that he saw and commended them. They were spiritually rich. Their time in jail would be ten days and if they died that they would receive a winners crown from Jesus who is the first and the last. The Alpha and the Omega. Those who conquered by faith to the end would not be judged and suffer a second death. They would live forever in the eternal kingdom of God. Another reference that seems to reinforce suffering for Christ is in 1 Peter.

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 

1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 

Our faith in Jesus should be greater than our comfort. If we suffer for the defense of the gospel, then we are in his will and are not sinning by disobeying him. We live in crazy times and towards the end of the age people will have to worship the Antichrist in order to sell or trade. They would be given the mark of the beast, 666.  We should learn to stand up for what is right and not give in to tyranny. Speak the truth in the spirit of love.