“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” – Rev. 2:10
In this letter to the church at Smyrna our Lord speaks of the persecution and suffering they would encounter, and tells them “Fear none of those things“. Then He issues this charge, “be thou faithful unto death“. In other words, be faithful regardless of the circumstances, even if it results in death.
Thankfully our situation is different than theirs, but our obligation is the same. Regardless of the severity of the suffering, the difficulty of our duty, or the danger of death we are not dismissed from our duty. We are to remain faithful until the day we die even if doing so brought it to us. In good times, bad times, and the worst of times we are to be faithful, even if it leads to our death.
Is not that what we see in the case of our Lord Himself? Christ was faithful to the Father to the finish – although it was “unto death“. And it was for you that he died. In light of that let us remember what pether wrote, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps“.(1 Pet. 2:21). We are being put to the test and most folks are failing. They are more concerned about pleasure, protection, and provisions than they are about pleasing the Lord.
Don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying that sick people should leave their sick bed, rush off to church where they will infect others, just so they can say they were faithful in attendance. I’m saying that we ought not spend our lives running scared, dodging our duties, just because something bad might happen. You run a risk, so to speak, every time you leave your house. But that’s the price you pay for living. The bottom line is this – if we are physically able we ought to do as the Lord commands even if it results in death. No amount of verbal gymnastics can explain that away. Some might say it is unfair, unreasonable, and unwise, but they are wrong. We can and we should be faithful to the Lord regardless of the results.
Speaking of results, I want you to notice the precious promise given to those who obey. The Lord says, “I will give thee a crown of life“. Wow! That should serve as motivation for ministering. Looking ahead to our rich reward enables us to endure whatever we are forced to face, for the sake of remaining faithful. Just to hear our Lord say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21) should be enough to encourage us to do as He commands. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
