Revelation 2:10-11

Revelation 2:10-11

[10] Fear  none  of those things which  thou shalt  suffer:  behold,  the devil  shall  cast  some of  into  prison,  that  ye may be tried;  and  ye shall have  tribulation  ten  days:  be thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I will give  a crown  of life.  [11] He that hath  an ear,  let him hear  what  the Spirit  saith  unto the churches;  He that overcometh  be hurt  of  the second  death. 

What does Revelation 2:10-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The citizens of Smyrna had a reputation for being faithful to the emperor because of their previous acts of fidelity to him. The crown of life is probably the fullness of eternal life as a reward (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Hebrews 2:9; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 4:4). This appears to be a victor"s crown (Gr. stephanos) given for enduring the trials and tests of life even to the point of death without denying Christ. It is not the gift of eternal life but the fullness of that life (cf. John 10:10, et al.). The person who endures these trials will receive the crown of life after Jesus Christ has approved him or her. This approval will take place when the Lord evaluates that believer"s works at the judgment seat of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 3:13). He will award the crown at this judgment ( 1 Corinthians 3:14). [1]
Believers" CrownsTitleReasonReferenceAn Imperishable CrownFor leading a disciplined life 1 Corinthians 9:25A Crown of RejoicingFor evangelism and discipleship 1 Thessalonians 2:19A Crown of RighteousnessFor loving the Lord"s appearing 2 Timothy 4:8A Crown of LifeFor enduring trials James 1:12; Revelation 2:10A Crown of GloryFor shepherding God"s flock faithfully 1 Peter 5:4
The Greeks called Smyrna "the crown of Asia Minor" because of its beauty as a city. Moreover every year a few city administrators, rulers, and priests received a crown of leaves for their faithfulness to their duties.
". . . it is noteworthy that Smyrna was famous for its games ... in which the prize was a garland." [2]
Christians will not (a double negative in Greek: "not in any way") suffer injury or harm (Gr. adikethe) by the "second death." The second death is eternal separation from God. It follows the first death, which is separation of the soul from the body.
"It is not annihilation, but conscious unending punishment." [3]
"By litotes this [4] intimates a superlative triumph over the second death. But since the second death is actual banishment from the presence and life of God ( Revelation 20:14-15), the litotes also intimates a splendid experience of the divine life and presence." [5]
Litotes is a figure of speech in which the writer expresses an affirmative idea through the negation of its opposite. Examples include, "I am not amused" (meaning "I am very annoyed"), "I won"t forget that" (meaning "I"ll remember it"), and "That test was no snap!" (meaning "That was a tough test!"). For some biblical examples, see Acts 12:18; Acts 15:2; Acts 17:4; Acts 17:12; Acts 19:24; and Acts 27:20.
The point of the Lord"s promise is that those who remain faithful will experience eternal life to the utmost in the life to come. The first death might hurt them briefly, but the second death would not hurt them at all. [6]
Historically the church experienced intense persecution during the post-apostolic era until Constantine elevated Christianity to the official religion of the Roman Empire. As mentioned before, some interpreters have correlated the10 days of persecution ( Revelation 2:10) with10 periods of persecution instigated by10 Roman emperors between A.D54 (Nero) and A.D284 (Diocletian). [7]