Faithful Unto Death: Daily Thoughts from Revelation (Revelation 2:8-11)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a member of the confessing church in Nazi Germany, and a resister against Hitler and the Nazis. His writings about and resistance to Nazism landed him in jail and the concentration camp. When, in a fit of anger, Hitler ordered him and others who conspired against Hitler to be executed, he told a friend, “This is the end—for me the beginning of life.”

Death by persecution is taken very seriously by Jesus and brings with it wonderful promises. It is not the case that if you survive the persecution you don’t also have the same wonderful promises, it is just that being faithful unto death is the ultimate evidence of one’s faith.

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.  “‘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. 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. 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.’”  (Revelation 2:8-11 ESV)

Would I be faithful to Jesus unto death?  That was the real question facing this church.  To them Jesus describes himself as the first and the last, who died and came to life.  He knew what it was to be faithful to God unto death.  He showed us how.

He has nothing but words of commendation for this church, which, though financially poor, is spiritually rich.  And they are experiencing persecution.  Why does the Lord allow this?  Why did he allow himself to be persecuted?  Sometimes the only way a rebellious human race can see God’s love and grace is when their hatred and violence against us results in joy and forgiveness from us.

Jesus commands this church not to be afraid of what they will suffer.  Jesus’ encouragement not to fear does not anticipate that we will not have any fear. Jesus had tremendous fear as he faced his death (Mark 14:32-35). But Jesus’ immediate fear was offset by his assurance that when the Father’s will was done there was ultimately no reason to fear because God’s purpose for this persecution would be perfect. Believers may fear the pain and suffering of persecution but not the ultimate purpose for it, nor the blessedness that will come from it in our personal lives.

Jesus tells this church that they will be imprisoned and have tribulation, and some of them will die.  But this will result in the crown of life, an eternal existence in the presence of God that more than makes up for what they suffered.  They will be exempt from the second death, the assignment of all unbelievers to the Lake of Fire, depicted in chapter 20 of this revelation.  The one who conquers is the true believer.