Tribulation for Ten Days?

Dr. Couch, what does it mean in Revelation 2:10 where the church of Smyrna is to have tribulation for ten days?

There are two interpretations: (1) the ten days represent something that we don't know about. So the meaning is “real” it's just that we don't know the context. (2) the great NT scholar William Ramsay says that it is a period which can be measured and that it will come to an end. The persecuted church “will live through it and survive, and has therefore no reason to be afraid of it.” Ramsay adds that it must be taken in a figurative or symbolic sense.

I take the first interpretation and meaning. We just don't know what the ten days are about but the period is real. When numbers, names, or figures of speech are given this usually means that they represent something that is actual and was known by the recipients. Actual numbers, names, or figures, when given, had to do with something that was known.

This ten days would be terrible for John goes on and says: “be faithful until death,” implying that some may die during this time. But John then adds that Christ says: “I will give you the crown of life.” This crown could be the same mentioned in 3:11: there is an hour of testing that would come upon the whole world (v. 10), “to test those who dwell upon the earth.” “But no one can take your crown” (v. 11). That is, you will not lose your eternal life.

What is said to one church is applicable to all churches and the believers who are the congregation and assembly. If this is salvation, all believers will be blessed with this fact of an unending life of blessing.

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

Did the Roman Empire Cover the Whole Earth?

Dr. Couch, in Luke 2:1 the passage says that Caesar Augustus had a census taken "of all the inhabited earth." Did the Roman Empire cover the whole earth? ANSWER:  No, this is a figure of speech, an expression used to describe the world dominated by the Roman Empire. The Bible is full of figures of speech, expressions that are exaggerations. We do the same today, use extremes that all understand are simply figures of speech. With all that is happening on the globe today we might say "The whole world has gone mad!" We really do not mean every square inch of the planet. This becomes an extreme to make a point. The Bible does the same, and people in that day did the same as well.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (6/10)

Which Mountain and Sea is Jesus Talking About?

Dr. Couch, when Jesus said in Mark 11:23 that whoever tells the mountain to be taken up and cast into the sea, is He referring to the Mount of Olives and the Dead Sea? ANSWER:  Both the Mount of Olives and the Dead Sea were visible from where He was speaking. Remember, He is using exaggeration as we would even today. He was speaking in an extreme illustration in order to get a point across. Christ is speaking about doubt in the heart. He wants people to believe that they can indeed "Have faith in God" (v. 22). The individual can "believe that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him" (v. 23b).    With common sense (and this is a key principle in Bible interpretation), one would know that the Lord is speaking about the extent of trust one should have with the things of God. He is really talking about spiritual issues not physical issues that are overblown. To see spiritual things happen is far more important than seeing simply physical things come to pass. And it takes a lot of spiritual trust to believe that God can change the hearts of people. Jesus went on: "I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you" (v. 24).    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (6/10)