Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. —Revelation 2:10
How do you read the first part of our verse? Let me share how I often read it, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer!!! We have an inbuilt aversion to suffering, God has created us this way and it is a gracious thing. If we didn’t have this, we would run headlong into all kinds of danger. So when we’re told outright that suffering is coming, it gets our attention.
The church of Jesus Christ is no stranger to suffering. From its birth to the present day, believers in one place or another have suffered and continue to suffer greatly for the name of Christ. It is what we have been promised as we follow Him, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).
As we read these words to the church in Smyrna, how can we obey the Lord and not fear the suffering that will be ours?
Remember the author of the letter. “The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life” (Revelation 2:8). The One who tells the church, and us, not to fear the suffering that we will face for following Him, is the One who has no beginning or end and, at the same time, has died and risen. What a wonderful description of the Son of God Incarnate! God takes on flesh to suffer and die and then rises again. God tells us not to fear and He does this as one who has tasted suffering and death for us—and has overcome!
Remember, the suffering is not without purpose. One of the most difficult aspects of suffering is when we find no apparent purpose in it. A woman can endure great pain in childbirth knowing she is bringing forth new life; an athlete can put his body through serious pain when he’s focused on the medal and podium. But when suffering comes and it seems pointless, it is an unbearable weight. The church in Smyrna is told that their suffering has a purpose: “That you may be tested.” God is the one testing them, and us, amidst our trials. This is not to destroy us, but “So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
Remember that suffering has a built-in end date. “For ten days you will have tribulation.” How wonderful and encouraging it is to know that our trials have a preordained time of completion. If finding no apparent purpose makes suffering unbearable, seeing no end only makes it worse! Yet here we see that God has already set the boundaries. Like when Satan afflicted Job (Job 1:12, 2:6), God’s testing of His church is also within His control and He has already determined when it will end.
Remember the great reward. This suffering is not without reward! Rather, if we will be faithful—even if that means death—Jesus Christ, the One who is “the first and the last, who died and came to life,” is He who “will give you the crown of life.” When death no longer holds power over us, we are truly free to face suffering without fear. Our eternal God will raise us from the dead and give us newness of life in His presence.
For Reflection
What do you fear most about suffering? How does God meet you in your fears through this passage?
How can you better remember and support brothers and sisters who are suffering greatly for the gospel just now?
How might you ready yourself for the suffering to come? Polycarp was the bishop of Smyrna in the second century and was martyred around AD 153. Read his story for encouragement.
Simon MaWhinney is a native of Northern Ireland. He pastored there for five years before moving his family to study at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. He is married to Lynda and they have six kids. Simon hopes to return to pastoral ministry after his studies. Scripture memorization and meditation have been the greatest means of enjoying God’s presence in his life.