Topical Bible: Faithfulness: should be to Death

Bible > Topical > Faithfulness

◄ Faithfulness: should be to Death ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Faithfulness, as a biblical concept, is a steadfast commitment to God and His commandments, enduring through trials and tribulations until the end of one's life. This unwavering loyalty is a hallmark of true discipleship and is exemplified throughout Scripture by various figures who remained devoted to God despite facing persecution, suffering, or even death.

The call to faithfulness unto death is poignantly captured in Revelation 2:10 , where the risen Christ exhorts the church in Smyrna: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." This passage underscores the promise of eternal reward for those who maintain their faith in the face of mortal danger.

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of faithfulness unto death. Daniel's companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, demonstrated this virtue when they refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, even under the threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3:16-18). Their declaration, "If the God we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up," exemplifies a commitment to God that transcends fear of death.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul serves as a paragon of faithfulness. Despite enduring numerous hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks, Paul remained resolute in his mission to spread the Gospel. In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 , he reflects on his life with the words, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing." Paul's life and writings encourage believers to persevere in their faith journey, regardless of the cost.

The ultimate example of faithfulness unto death is found in Jesus Christ Himself. His obedience to the Father's will, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, is the foundation of Christian faith. Philippians 2:8 states, "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Christ's faithfulness provides both the model and the means for believers to remain steadfast, as His Spirit empowers them to endure.

Throughout church history, countless martyrs have borne witness to the call of faithfulness unto death. Their accounts, preserved in historical accounts and martyrologies, continue to inspire believers to hold fast to their faith amidst persecution. The early church father Tertullian famously remarked, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church," highlighting how the steadfastness of these individuals has contributed to the growth and strength of the Christian faith.

In summary, faithfulness unto death is a profound biblical principle that calls believers to remain loyal to God, even at the cost of their lives. It is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the hope of eternal life promised to those who endure.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be you faithful to death, and I will give you a crown of life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Imprisonment and Death of John
... years must pass from prison to death, John was ... As the followers of Jesus should languish
in lonely ... that John the Baptist, to whose faithfulness Christ Himself ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 22 imprisonment and death.htm

Of the Persons by Whom, and the Uses for Which, Ecclesiastical ...
... with the deepest fear, in the spirit of faithfulness, and for ... which it was consigned,
and lest they should come under the punishment and death of Ananias ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii of the persons by.htm

Death to Self is the Way Out into a Life of Sacrifice.
... Even here in measure the faithfulness unto death and the crown of life go ... of the
signs around us make it seem as if we should not taste of death, and as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to self is the.htm

Epistle xxxvi. To the Clergy, Bidding them Show Every Kindness to ...
... 2376] They have persevered in their faithfulness, and stedfastness ... pass by the gate
of a glorious death to their ... of Christ; to whom, indeed, we should now show ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xxxvi to the clergy.htm

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... and favour upon his lips, instead of with condemnation and death; so God ... reacheth
to the clouds.' Strange that God's fixed faithfulness should be compared to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

Unbelievers Upbraided
... here below, his shameful sufferings, his vicarious death;"all these ... below, or in
my life above,"that should lead you to question my faithfulness to you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/unbelievers upbraided.htm

The Dedication
... revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he ...
righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 5 the dedication.htm

The Faithfulness of God in his Promises.
... 2 Tell of his wondrous faithfulness, And sound his power ... 5 [He that can dash whole
worlds to death And make ... Thou art mine;" Those gentle words should raise my ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 13125 the faithfulness of.htm

The Faithfulness of God in the Promises.
... Tell of his wondrous faithfulness,. And sound his power abroad; ... [He that can dash
whole worlds to death,. ... Those gentle words should raise my song. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 69 the faithfulness of.htm

At the Marriage Feast
... of that sacred rite by which His death was to ... pronounced a curse upon the man who
should put the ... them give evidence of their repentance by faithfulness to God ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 15 at the marriage.htm