Revelation 2:10, “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 unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Not long after I became a Christian, I was facing a difficult moment. At this point in my life, I don’t even remember what it was. What I do remember is that this verse came to my mind, especially the part where it says, “You will have tribulation for ten days.” I started counting the days and realized my troubles were almost over. Although I had taken that verse totally out of context, in a very childlike way, it gave me confidence that everything was going to be alright. I wasn’t thinking about the magnitude of what that verse was saying.

I recently watched a series that dealt with the early days of the Christian church. The depth of commitment those early Christians had was inspiring. Through great sacrifice, they carried the Gospel to the world, just as Jesus had commanded them. Many of them were killed. It was Tertullian who said, “The blood of the saints is the seed of the church.” That willingness to die so that others may come to know Jesus continues still today.

As I thought about the sacrifices many have made, I couldn’t help but think about how blessed we are in America. We don’t think about someone killing us simply because we are Christians. We don’t have to hide our Bibles for fear of them being confiscated. Technology in some countries is used to identify people who go to church so they can be persecuted. Here in America, we have not faced that, yet.

It was that “yet” that got me thinking. According to the Book of Revelation, a level of hatred and persecution never before witnessed in the history of the world will take place as Satan and the Antichrist do everything in their power to wipe Christianity from the face of the earth. But millions will once again pay the ultimate price and will not deny Christ. That day is fast approaching.

As I thought about what has happened in the past, what is happening in parts of the world today, and what will happen in the last days, I kept wondering about the depth of my commitment. Would I be faithful unto death?