Smyrna is a neighboring seaport city to Ephesus. It has known tribulation and destruction.
Jesus empathizes with the Smyrna Christians. They are suffering tribulation and poverty, but the worst is yet to come.
Jesus' words of hope and challenge are, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Think about this: NONE of us knows when our death will come; BUT which of us will be "FAITHFUL unto death" in order to receive "THE CROUWN OF LIFE"? Is that CROWN important enough to make you willing to commit to following Jesus?