- Gems of Truth
When you do your best and
life still breaks you
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer … You may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Revelation 2:9-11
This letter by Jesus, given to John, describes the Christian church during the 2nd century — a letter to God’s people who were persecuted and tortured all throughout the Roman Empire. But this letter is also one for you and I today. Let’s unpack it.
“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)”
All of us go through trials and tribulation. Once we are converted, we live a different life than the people in the world. We might even struggle with poverty. But Christ says we are still rich. Rich in blessings. Rich in spiritual health. Rich in having the truth. Rich in character.
“Do not fear any of those things…”
Then, He said we shouldn’t fear those things we are about to suffer.
Don’t fear the future.
Don’t fear making the wrong decision.
Don’t fear being rejected or misunderstood.
Don’t fear remaining single longer than you expected.
Don’t fear being alone.
The tribulation might last for ten days — a timeframe in Scripture that stands for a short (but intense) period — but if we stay faithful unto death, Jesus will give us the crown of life.
“Be faithful until death”
The Smyrnaeans were in constant fear of physical death. We don’t even go through that. We might fear rejection. We might fear failure. We might fear not getting what we want, losing a job, not having enough money, losing our health, or being left out. But most of us aren’t wondering if we’ll be executed for following Jesus. And even though physical death might come, Jesus reminds us that it’s temporary.
Just like the Smyrnaeans, we have to keep our eyes fixed on the reward. Your reward is the crown of life — not a house or a job or a spouse.
“I will give you the crown of life”
You’re not waiting for the “perfect” spouse.
You’re not waiting for everything to be stable.
You’re not waiting for approval from others.
You’re waiting for your crown of life, reserved for you by God Himself!
That’s when true belonging & intimacy with our Redeemer will become a reality.
“Trials will come, but they are an evidence that we are children of God… Although we may be weak and helpless in ourselves, all the forces of heaven are at the command of the believing child of God, and the hosts of hell cannot make him depart from the right course if he will cling to God by living faith.”
Gospel Workers (1892), page 441
