Revelation 2:10 10Fear nothing of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Jesus knew the difficult situation of the Smyrnan believers and then described what would happen to them. The description goes from general to specific. Their suffering would come at any moment, and so they could be spiritually prepared for it. Their suffering was due to the devil, the great adversary of God’s people. This is the first specific mention of Jesus’ foe who will create trouble for Christians throughout the book of Revelation. Obviously, the devil, as a spiritual being, could not physically put these Christians into prison. The devil works through people to create suffering. These people have bought into the lie that has plagued humanity since the Garden of Eden and shows up in selfish, misguided, and corrupt governments.
The time in prison of ten days is one of the many numerical symbols in this book that should not be taken literally. In this verse, it represents that their imprisonment will be limited in time and will come to an end. It would be a time of testing for the Smyrnans. When social pressure or physical suffering comes, would they remain true to their faith in Jesus, even to the point of death? The threat of their lives was serious. They would soon face a great test. What would hold them firm was their hope of the crown of life, representing eternal life. This test was not a theoretical warning but indeed came true with the documented martyrdom of Polycarp, a famous second-century Christian. Jesus, who died in a similar way of suffering, as the resurrected one could give the crown of life to his faithful followers.
Suffering often produces fear. No one likes to suffer because it comes with pain, sorrow, and uncertainty. We do all we can to avoid it. Knowing that suffering is coming also helps us prepare for it. Jesus warned that all who follow him would face rejection and hatred by the world (John 15:18-25). The character growth and the hope we have (Romans 5:1-4) help sustain us through the suffering. Suffering tests our faith. We can respond in two ways: grow stronger or give into the pressure and grow weaker. If we feel our faith is weak, we can lean on others around us who can hold us up when we do not have enough strength to hold ourselves. Our suffering is limited since not even death can keep us from Jesus. Suffering to the point of death may seem a terrible thing— and it is, but Jesus promises life after death. There is a crown waiting for those who do not give up, even to the point of martyrdom. Those who do lose their lives for the sake of Jesus will be rewarded in a special way. A crown symbolizes a reward and royalty, the hope of heaven described throughout Revelation. The Smyrnans needed this encouragement, and we also need this no matter what type of suffering we are facing.