In Revelation 2:9–11, the risen Christ addressed the church in Smyrna who were facing intense tribulation, deep poverty, and hostility because of their faith in Christ. To this suffering church, Christ offered three powerful assurances:
- His opening words were, “I know…” Christ sees, remembers, and understands. There is deep comfort in knowing that our Lord is fully aware of what His people are going through.
- Christ assured them that what the enemy meant for harm, God would sovereignly use as a testing of their faith—to refine and strengthen (Rev 2:10).
- He also reminded them that their suffering had boundaries. Christ Himself sets the time limit of their suffering. He knows what His people can bear, and He will not allow the fire to destroy what He intends only to purify (cf. 1 Cor 10:13).
With such assurances, one might expect Christ to urge the church to persevere because their tribulation would soon end, or that the testing of their faith would shortly be completed.
But the call He gives is far more sobering: “Be faithful unto death.” (Rev 2:10)
Not, Be faithful because deliverance is just around the corner.
Not, Be faithful because the suffering will be brief.
It is a call to unconditional faithfulness—
Faithfulness even if deliverance does not come.
Faithfulness even if the suffering deepens.
Faithfulness even to the point of death.
The Reward for Death is Life
To such faithfulness, Christ promises a “crown of life” (Rev 2:10).
Apostle James echoes this same hope: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
And to the one who overcomes, Christ adds, “You will not be hurt by the second death.” (Rev 2:11)
In other words, the crown of life essentially is the promise of eternal life. The one who dies for Christ will live forever with Christ.
But isn't eternal life a guarantee given to whoever choose to believe in Him? How can it be seen as an additional reward to those who are faithful unto death?
Eternal life is not a “ultimate prize” for the persecuted—it is the ultimate confirmation of a genuine believer. Those who are faithful unto death do not earn eternal life; they reveal that true faith was in them all along. This is the sign of the perseverance of the saints. In other words, genuine believers will be faithful unto death.
Christ Himself says that their coming hardship would be a test (Rev 2:10). In Scripture, testing not only proves genuine faith exists —it purifies it so that it becomes more precious and pure (cf. 1 Pet 1:6–7).
The Hidden Joy in the Crown of Life
The risen Christ did not tell the church to do something which He had not. Christ Himself was faithful unto death (Phil 2:8). He endured the Cross “for the joy that was set before Him” (Heb 12:2).
The joy of obeying the Father.
The joy of reconciling sinners to God (2 Cor 5:18–19).
The joy of having us with Him forever (John 17:24).
I would like to suggest that the same joy that makes Christ endured death on the cross is the same joy that will make us endure death for His sake.
It is the joy of having Christ Himself—obeying Him, fulfilling His purposes and living with Him forever. For the crown of life is ultimately not about an eternal place but an eternal Person.
Longing for the Crown of Life
A believer who can be faithful unto death is one whose heart is already set on eternity with Christ. He does not long for Heaven only on his deathbed—he longs for Heaven throughout the whole journey.
Paul puts this longing into words: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” (Phil 1:21–23)
This is the posture we are called to cultivate:
A longing for Christ.
A desire for His reign.
A yearning to live with Him forever. (Matt 6:10).
When our daily walk with Christ is real, deep, and authentic, then when the day of testing comes, we too will be able to be faithful unto death—because our hearts have already learned to treasure the One who waits on the other side.