"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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." - Rev. 2:10-11
A true testimony of salvation will harmonize with the testimony of Holy Scripture. It is our responsibility to examine ourselves to make sure that our definition of Christianity is biblical (2 Cor. 13:5). Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-10)! It is not our work; it is God's work. Therefore, it will produce in believers obedience and perseverance according to the Scriptures. This is a matter of life and death.
The Crown of Life: James 1:12, Matt. 24:13, 1 Cor. 9:25, 2 Tim. 4:8, 1 Pet. 5:4, Matt. 25:34, Gal. 4:6-7, Rom. 8:17, 1 Cor. 6:9-10, Eph. 5:3-5, Gal. 5:19-21, Dan. 7:18, 22, Rev. 2:26-28, 3:21, 5:9-10, 20:4, 6, 21:7-8, Lk. 19:11-27
The Second Death: Rev. 20:6, 14, 21:8
The Second Death: Rev. 20:6, 14, 21:8
Evidently, the “crown of life” is only given to those who are “faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10). Accordingly, it was written, “he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt. 24:13). The trial is necessary (Rev. 2:10, James 1:12). There are winners and losers. You are going to have to fight for it if you are going to win it (1 Tim. 6:12, 2 Tim. 4:7-8, 1 Cor. 15:10)! This was the perspective of the Apostle Paul concerning the “incorruptible” crown that he desired to win (1 Cor. 9:24-27).
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” - 1 Cor. 9:24-27
The “crown of life” is the only means to escape “the second death” (Rev. 2:10-11, 20:6, 14). In other words, the crown of life is a “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8). It is a “crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4). Literally, this crown is only given to those who are deemed worthy to be called the children of God (Rev. 21:7-8). Why? Because the crown symbolizes an inheritance of the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Eph. 5:3-5, Gal. 5:19-21).
As sons and daughters, Christians are heirs of God, and therefore a part of our inheritance is to become Kings and Queens under Christ (Gal. 4:6-7, Rom. 8:17, Rev. 5:9-10). This isn’t a figure of speech. This inheritance includes “thrones” and “power over the nations” to “rule them with a rod of iron” (Dan. 7:18, 22; Rev. 2:26-28, 3:21, 20:4, 6). Each designated territory of rule during the Millennial Reign will differ according to the faithfulness of each saint during their pilgrimage on earth (Lk. 19:11-27).
As sons and daughters, Christians are heirs of God, and therefore a part of our inheritance is to become Kings and Queens under Christ (Gal. 4:6-7, Rom. 8:17, Rev. 5:9-10). This isn’t a figure of speech. This inheritance includes “thrones” and “power over the nations” to “rule them with a rod of iron” (Dan. 7:18, 22; Rev. 2:26-28, 3:21, 20:4, 6). Each designated territory of rule during the Millennial Reign will differ according to the faithfulness of each saint during their pilgrimage on earth (Lk. 19:11-27).
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