Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for TEN DAYS. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10 NLT)
As I was teaching a Bible Study last week on the seven churches of Revelation and how they apply to us today as individuals, as separate congregations, and as the Church of Jesus Christ as a whole, I was a little unprepared for a question that arose. The question was, “What does the ten days mean in Revelation 2:10, which was Jesus’s words to the suffering church of Smyrna?”
As I began to look up what it meant, I was not satisfied with any of the commentaries I found. Then I started thinking about it and came to the following conclusion by rightly dividing the Word of God. I believe the ten days are what we can count with our fingers. Ten days of suffering on this earth are absolutely nothing compared with eternity with Jesus. Jesus gave us the following stern warning:
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NLT)
What we see happening around the world, especially with Australia, leaves no doubt that we are going through pre-tribulation trials and persecution. There is also no doubt that things will quickly get worse and worse as prophesied. This is all in preparation for getting the world ready for the Antichrist to come on the scene and slip into total power. Jesus told us these two things:
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:28 NKJV)
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20 NKJV)
We do not know exactly how long it will be until the Rapture takes place. We just know it will be very very soon. Everything according to prophecy is in place. We also do not know how much we will have to suffer beforehand. We just know the handwriting is on the wall and Christians are the real target. The catalyst is this Plandemic the world’s elite have had in the making for decades. Their end result is what they refer to as the “Great Reset”.
Depending on how much we may have to endure before the Rapture, we need to take seriously what Peter, Paul, John, and Luke relay to us so that we can put things into perspective. As I said at the beginning, “Ten days (which we can count on our two hands) of suffering here on this earth is absolutely nothing in the light of eternity with Jesus”:
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT)
For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. (Romans 8:16-18 NLT)
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)
They strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22 NLT)
Annointing 
I love your blog and you sharing Smith Wigglesworth. I personally don’t hold to a pre trib view, I hold to a post trib view. That is where we disagree, but we agree on that Jesus is coming back. God bless you.
Thanks for the comment. Something to think about: In the book of Daniel, when the oven is heated 7 times hotter (7 year Tribulation), where was Daniel? He was promoted to a higher position (Rapture). Just one of God’s gracious assurances He has laced into His Word for Overcomers in these End Times. Romans 11 along with Revelation 5 to 19 makes it clear that the Tribulation is about the Jews to realize that the one that they pierced was truly the Messiah.
Brother I learned the pre trib in bible school and in church. I know all the arguments. When you read the Bible and let Jesus just speak there is no secret rapture, there are only 2 comings of Christ.. not three. Jesus would have plainly told us that He would come secretly yet that is no where to be found. You have to play off words and stretch and assume things. The theme of the Bible is persecution and enduring not escapism.. God bless
If you know all the arguments, so do I. You mistakenly call the Rapture “a coming of Christ” which it is not. It is an invisible meeting in the air, not a setting foot on earth. If you look at it the way you defined it, then Jesus also came, both, when Stephen was martyred and Saul was knocked to the ground. Remember, it is not what you interpret. It is only what God intended it to say.