“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.”
Do not fear what you are about to suffer — behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction; be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life — the tribulation is bounded (ten days) and purposeful (testing), not meaningless suffering. "Faithful unto death" echoes the martyrdom path; the crown of life (stephanos zōēs) is the victor's laurel in the agon of faith, eschatologically eternal.
Church Fathers on Revelation 2:10
“I know your tribulation and your poverty, but you are rich.” For He knows that with such men there are riches hidden with Him, and that they deny the blasphemy of the Jews, who say that they are Jews and are not; but they are the synagogue of Satan, since they are gathered together by Antichrist; and to them He says:— “Be faithful unto death.” That they should continue to be faithful even unto death.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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