Revelation is a very simple book with a very simple message.
No matter what crazy things we see happen on the earth, God is on His throne. (“Throne” shows up in Revelation over 40 times). Nothing happens on this earth He does not first authorize. (Power is given, a crown is granted to the four horsemen of the apocalypse etc).
In all the travails of the earth, God just asks us to be faithful witnesses, and not fear death. That is how we overcome.
Witness is usually a translation of Greek “martyreo”, which is also translated “martyr” when context shows the witness lost their physical life. But a good “martyreo” should not fear any sort of death. Death just means “separation”, as with a spirit from a body. We are called to not fear rejection (separation from people). We are called to not fear loss (separation from possessions). We are called to not fear shame (separation from approval of others).
This is the path God calls us to. To live in obedience, so He can bless us beyond our imagination. We are called to do an outstanding job of demonstrating that this is the case now, in this life. What is available to us in the reward of the next life is even more amazing, so amazing we can’t imagine it.
“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.”
– Revelation 4:1-2