“Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.” Revelation 2:10-11 NLT
John the revelator, has to break the news to the folks who call Smyrna their home and home church. Bibleplaces.com writes, “Smyrna sat 35 miles (56 km) north of Ephesus, built near the ruins of an ancient Greek colony destroyed in the 7th century BC. Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, rebuilt Smyrna as a new Hellenistic city in the 3rd century BC. The city was later established as a Roman commercial center with a port on the Aegean Sea. The name of the city since about 1930 is İzmir” But at the time of John’s writing it was not a good place for Jesus followers. They were dirt poor and under tremendous persecution for being Christian.
It is interesting that John forewarns this church of what is to come, with some very specific details. “The devil will throw some into prison for ten days!” Biblical scholars believe it may have been ten YEARS! How would you like that prophetic news to be read in your church this Sunday? The pressure of being poor and now prison?
John’s tender words from God Himself is moving. Like slave runners in the ancient Greek games, the winner would receive the ultimate prize – their freedom. And, they would be given their freedom, not with a trophy but a woven wreath placed on their head – deemed, “the crown of life.” Caesar’s gift of life after living as a Roman slave. Paul, James, Peter and John use this secular symbol to remind the church that God is the ultimate ruler over life and even though God did not enslave anyone (sin does this), His own gift of life would be found through the crown of thorns placed on Jesus, accurately but mockingly calling him the king of the Jews.
God’s crown would not only be freedom, which is obtained here while still alive on this planet, but also for those who suffer on His behalf. It appears there will be some kind of special, particular crown given as an eternal reminder for all to see. There’s a bit of discussion about this crown in the New Testament. John uses the word, “stéphanos,” a victor’s crown, verses the word, “diádēma,” a royal crown. This crown appears to be unique in that the only way to receive this crown is through suffering or Martyrdom.
Might it be that there are those who will be known in heaven by this crown of glory. Not for their own applause, but to the beauty, the gift that few can endure, of being put to death for their faith. This glory is shared because it reflects Jesus willingness and determination to go all the way to death for His mission of salvation for humanity.
Prayer
Dad,
Of all the crowns mentioned in the New Testament, this one seems to be the most treasured and honored. Reserved for folks like Blandina, who was so young and new to faith, yet she actually wore out her torturers because she just would not recant, nor release her will to live and suffer for you! Astounding. I am humbled by that tenacity of faith in you. Forgive me for thinking, even a moment, that I have suffered through anything equivalent. I am truly blessed.