“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
We don’t know why Christ decrees for some churches to suffer persecution while others live in peace for long periods of time. What we do know is that when faced with persecution, we are given a wonderful opportunity to glorify God! While we should never seek suffering or try to provoke persecution (that would be ungodly), we should never shy away from it either.
There is enormous persecution of Christians in the world today. We should be praying for persecuted Christians and also preparing ourselves should our own comfortable situation begin to change. If our King decrees that we should suffer for our faith, then may we each be found faithful in that time!
Choose now, while things are pleasant, what’s more important to you: Christ or comfort, life on this earth or the crown of eternal life in heaven. Reflect now on what compromises you will refuse to make to hold on to your popularity, social status, finances, freedom, family, or life.
While persecution isn’t good and we’re called to pray that we would live in peace, greater good for God’s Kingdom can come out of persecution. We should understand that Christ rewards us for faithfulness in the face of whatever persecution we may encounter. He will place the crown of life on the heads of those who are faithful to their death. Commit yourselves now to always choose faithfulness over any personal benefit on earth.