“crown” in verse 10 is not a king’s crown, but a crown, or wreath, placed on the head of the victor, or winner, in a race or athletic contest. So even if Christians die, they are victorious. Satan was behind the persecutions. In the second and third centuries at least ten periods of persecution occurred under the Roman emperors. Most were short, and some did not reach far into the provinces. Even so, millions of Christians were burned at the stake, thrown to hungry lions, tortured and killed in many