What do the 'ten days' of tribulation in Revelation 2:10 mean?
The 'ten days' of tribulation in Revelation 2:10 represent ten distinct periods of time during the Roman Empire when the church came under horrible pressure. These believers were tested, suffered imprisonment and persecution, but remained faithful, and the Lord promised them a crown of life if faithful unto death.
Les explains that the 'ten days' in Revelation 2:10 were ten distinct periods of time during the Roman Empire when the church came under horrible pressure. The church of Smyrna was going through horrible pressure, and though poor in material things because persecution took away income, jobs, and wealth, they were spiritually rich. The devil would cast some into prison for their faith, that they may be tried or tested. These believers did not give up; they went through it because the Lord had promised to be with them. They were told to be faithful unto death, and they would receive a crown of life. Les notes that believers do suffer tribulation, and that it has only been in recent centuries that western civilization has guaranteed rights and freedom of worship.
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.