Gospel Reflections #259: What Happens in Persecution?

Revelation 2:10 "Be faithful, even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

These words are part of a letter sent to the Church of Smyrna. These words were said to the persecuted church of Smyrna.

To the Church of Smyrna, John also wrote before these words, "Do not fear persecution."

What does it mean to be faithful even unto death?

It does not mean that we will continue to be faithful until death, but that we have salvation because Jesus took the place of our sins, and that even if we die through persecution, we have been given resurrection, and we will certainly be resurrected when Jesus comes to receive us. We must continue to believe that Jesus will not give up on us, that He will not abandon us in any circumstance.

We don't even have the strength to do so, but by asking Jesus for help, by clinging to Him, by running to Him, He will hide us and be with us. The peace that comes from this experience is greater than persecution.

The cross of Jesus has given us the crown of life.

When we look not at the persecution outside of us, but at God who lives and works within us, we are not looking at the world, but at the Kingdom of God.

It is not we who are fighting persecution, but Jesus who is in our hearts.

We are to praise and rejoice in Jesus as a response to His victory behind Him who fights, and I believe that is our faithfulness to God!

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.