"Be Thou Faithful Unto Death ...."

The church in Smyrna was undergoing very difficult times. In Revelation
we read that they were in poverty and undergoing tribulation. They also
had to deal with people that were blaspheming their teaching. It seems
that they had more than their share of problems.

When God looks upon our situation, He does not always see what we see.
When we have a problem, what we are looking for is a way out. We want
the problem removed so that we can get back to enjoying life. However,
sometimes what God wants us to know is that we can learn to deal with
the problem. He wants us to overcome the problem. It would be easy
for God to remove every obstacle, but then we would not grow or learn.

God's response to the saints in Smyrna was, "Fear none of those things
which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into
prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:
be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
(Revelation 2:10) Not quite what you expected, huh? Imagine asking God
to remove the troubles that you face and His response is something to
the effect of "Don't worry about your trouble. I know that you will
suffer far more than you are now. In fact, you will have greater
tribulation and you will be cast into prison. Some of you will die.
Just remain faithful and I'll reward you in the end." Is this the
will of the merciful God in Heaven? YES! For He tells us that we
can overcome and that a reward is waiting. God tells us about the
future and about our own strength. He has faith in us, if we would
but have faith in Him and His word. His response is not to remove the
trouble, but to let us know WE CAN OVERCOME.

Our Father in Heaven is merciful and kind, for He tells us what we
can do to overcome: remain faithful. Follow His will here and now,
that we may be with Him for all eternity. A crown of life is waiting
for each of us, and He will personally give it to us. [JW]

"... Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life."  (Revelation 2:10)