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Answer
In Jesus’ letter to the church of Smyrna, He warns the believers there that they are about to face extreme hardship, encouraging them to remain steadfast: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” «Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. », (Revelation 2:10, NKJV). Christians can persevere and be faithful until death or whatever else comes their way because God is faithful and His promises sustain.
In His Olivet Discourse, Jesus warned His disciples that, as the end times draw near, believers would face hatred, false teaching, a rampantly sinful culture, and persecution to the point of death (Matthew 24:9-14). But He also promised, “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved” «But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. », (Matthew 24:13). Christians who stand firm to the end and are faithful until death show they are genuine children of God. Our salvation is not dependent on our ability to remain saved but on the One who is faithful to save us. The Lord guarantees the fulfillment of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Revelation 2:8–11 instructs the believers at Smyrna not to fear the persecution they would suffer and calls them t
To be faithful until death is a call for Christians. It does not imply that salvation can be lost if they are unfaithful. However, being faithful even unto death provides evidence of genuine salvation. The Bible teaches that those who are born again are eternally saved because God is faithful. In John 10:27–30, Jesus declares, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” Believers are eternally secure because God is eternally faithful.
Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22) and have His power working in them to help them stand firm through life’s challenges (Romans 14:4; Jude 1:24-25). The Christians in Smyrna were enduring severe persecution, and Jesus predicted further hardships for them. He urged them not to fear what they would suffer and encouraged them to remain faithful until death. During His earthly ministry, Jesus also advised believers: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” «And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. », (Matthew 10:28). While people can harm the body, they cannot take away the eternal life bestowed by God. This truth instills hope in believers and empowers them to remain faithful until the end.
At death.
It is possible for Christians to remain faithful until death and not fear because of God’s enablement. God’s faithfulness assures us that what He promises is guaranteed (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 145:13) and strengthens us when we face hardships. Even though difficulties may come, even until death, Jesus promises to never leave us nor forsake us. He also tenderly cares for us (see Matthew 10:29-31). Ultimately, God promises to give believers life as their victor’s crown «Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. », (Revelation 2:10). Jesus promised us abundant life for now «The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. », (John 10:10) and eternal life in the future. These promises, linked to God’s faithfulness, inspire Christians to be faithful until death.
As Christians, we are not promised to be kept from persecution or difficulty, but we are promised to be kept in and through it. God is faithful; therefore, we, His people, can be faithful until death. Because of God’s faithful promises to us, we can say, “I will not fear; what can man do to me?” no matter what we face (Hebrews 13:5-6).
