Read Revelation 2:8–11
Suffering is easier to endure when you know it will end soon. Consider a marathon. When you are tired and beat down, and there are 14 more miles to go, it is much more tempting to drop out than when you feel exactly the same way but can see the finish line just a quarter mile ahead. Consider how foolish it would be to stop then, to have worked so hard and come so far only to stop when you almost had it! This is the same encouragement Jesus gives to the church in Smyrna. Despite slander, persecution, and poverty, they have remained faithful to Jesus. So far, they have run the race and fought the good fight. Yet they still have farther to go. They will be thrown into prison for 10 days. These 10 days are not literal but a way of saying, “You only have another quarter mile—keep going!” When He says, “Be faithful to the point of death,” it is not clear if He is speaking of being martyred or natural death. What is clear, though, is that they should continue in faithfulness until the end of their life, whether it ends tomorrow, in 10 days, or in 10 years. But if it is years and years later, how could He say it will be short like 10 days? Because there is a prize that awaits them at the end: the crown, which is eternal life (see 2:10; James 1:12). Compared to the glory and joy of eternity, all momentary trials and afflictions are insignificant.
So, do you want to have the faith of a martyr? Do you want to have the endurance of a prisoner? Do you want to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? (see Matthew 25:21). Then consider the crown of life waiting for you at the end. Be encouraged by the hope of eternity with your perfect Savior. To be faithful to the point of death, be faithful today, and pray for God’s strength to finish the race well.
