Revelation: Crown of Life

 Revelation: Justification by Faith

Crown of Life

[By M.L]

Revelation 2:8, 10–11 (ESV)
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life...
10. 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.
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.’"

There were people in Smyrna who were facing death. The first death would come to them in a painful manner, through intense persecution.
However, these believers were promised that they would not experience the second death. They would receive a resurrection when Jesus returns.
But to achieve this, they had to conquer. There was a crown of life to be won. Paul speaks about this crown (wreath):

1 Corinthians 9:25–27 (ESV)
"Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
27. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

James also speaks of this crown:

James 1:12 (ESV)
"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."

Overcoming would require a great struggle and much spiritual discipline, but it was, and still is, certainly possible.
Life is portrayed as something we must strive for, something we are yet to receive. In ourselves, we do not possess life or immortality. By nature, we deserve death and are nothing more than dust. There is no special energy or soul within us that lives on by itself. Life is something we must fight for.
Jesus is our life. We need Him even to exist:

Colossians 3:4 (ESV)
"When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

1 John 5:12 (ESV)
"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

But how does the Bible describe human beings?

Daniel 12:2 (ESV)
"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."

Genesis 18:27 (ESV)
"Abraham answered and said, ‘Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.’"

Psalm 37:38 (ESV)
"But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off."

Psalm 104:35 (ESV)
"Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!"

This is how the Bible speaks about mankind. This is our end.
But the Son lives forever. He is the First and the Last. He descended into the grave, but the grave could not hold Him. Now He has risen as the head of humanity.
When we are near death, our hope should not lie in an immortal soul or some form of life within ourselves. We must know that even our very existence depends on Jesus, who is our life. We will rise when He returns and wake up as from a sleep.
He is our anchor, He is the rock. Whoever builds on Him will remain forever. This is the only hope for those who endure persecution—a hope that is solid and unshakable.

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