Tried And True

Let us muse today from Revelation 2:10 and the church at Smyrna. Oh how this church was tried by the Lord and found faithful and true. There is an admonition not to fear anything that they may suffer. Throughout the Bible we are told to expect suffering, to count it all joy when, not if it comes. He tells them Satan will cast some of them in prison to be tried for ten days. The length of time takes us back to the days of Daniel and his friends being tried ten days. The phrase ten days speaks of the complete work of being tried and tested. He encourages them to be faithful unto death. Oh how we must persevere unto the end. We cannot give up until we have reached the finish line. The city of Smyrna was known for its athletic games, so the next statement would be very familiar to them. He told them to be faithful and I will give you a crown of life. The crown was the wreath of victory. It may look like here we are losing, but over there it will be clear to all that we won the victory.