Revelation: To The Church In Smyrna—The Crown of Life | May 7, 2023

Revelation 2:10b-11 ESV

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. ¹¹ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

 1 Corinthians 9:24-45

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ²⁵ Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

2 Timothy 4:7–8

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

1 Peter 5:4

⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 

James 1:12

¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

 “The major single theme of this letter is that Christ will bring “life” out of “death.” Nothing they could suffer would fail to lead to God’s vindication and their reward. In the book as a whole, as well as in the church of Smyrna, this was a promise especially for those who would pay with their lives.”^[1]

The motivation to persevere as a follower of Christ is eternal life with Him. Run your race! Stay the course. Finish well.

^[1] Osborne, G. R. (2002). Revelation (p. 135). Baker Academic.