Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 2:10

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer : behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison , that you may be tried , and ye shall have tribulation ten days , Be thou faithful unto death , and I will give thee a crown of life .

Thou art like to suffer yet sharper things than thou hast suffered; the Persecutions are but begun, but pluck up a good Courage, fear not your Enemies, Matth. 10.28.

You shall be cast into Prison, by Iews and Pagans, who are the Devils Instruments, and execute his Malice against you, which should both incourage you that your Fight is with the common Enemy of Mankind, and teach you to pity and Pray for your Persecutors who are but the Devil's Instruments, whose Hearts he hath filled with Malice against you.

Interpreters are divided about these Ten Days, what space of time is meant by them; some think the whole time of the Ten Persecutions, but they lasted above 200 years; others will have them the 10 years of Trajan's Persecution from 99, to 109. Others observe that in 10 days are 240 Hours, which make up the number of years from 85, when the second Persecution (under which Iohn at this time was) to 325, when all the Persecutions ceased, But to let these fancies go: It is either a certain number put for an uncertain; or, it signifies many days; as in Gen. 31.42. Thou hast changed my wages ten times, that is, many times, so 2 Sam. 19.43. Iob 19.3. Or, else it signifies a little time, as in Gen. 24.55. Amos 5.3. and 6.9. If we understand this Epistle, as only concerning the Church of Smyrna at that time, it may signify a small time. If we understand it Prophetically, describing the state of all Churches, till the Paga[illegible: 1 letter] Persecution ceased (which was more chan 240 years) ten days signifies a long time.

That your Faith, Love, Patience, Obedience may be tried.

Hold fast to thy Profession of Faith and Holiness, to the end of thy Life here.

And I will give thee Eternal Life and Salvation, which shall be a great reward. It is call'd a Crown of Righteousness ▪ 2 Tim. 4.8.