ar what the Spirit saith to
the Congregations: he who overcometh, will not be hurt by the
second death."--Rev. 2:8-11.

The angel of the church in Smyrna is supposed to have been Polycarp, who,
rather than to apostatize, was burnt alive in that city about A. D. 166.
That church had passed through the trial of poverty, and was found "rich
toward God," Luke 12:21. It had suffered from the blasphemy of unbelieving
Jews, who had a synagogue there and were particularly active at the
martyrdom of Polycarp. But "He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly;
neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a
Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the
spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God,"
Rom. 2:28, 29. And the crucified and risen Saviour has said, that they are
"of the synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews, and are not, but do
lie," Rev. 3:9.

Not a word of reproof is addressed to this faithful flock; but they were
to be still further tried, and a terrible persecution was foretold, which
should continue ten prophetic days. Ten years was the duration of the last
and bloodiest persecution under Diocletian, from A. D. 302 to 312, during
which all the Asiatic churches were grievously afflicted.

This church passed triumphantly through all those trials; and Smyrna is
now the most flourishing city of the Asiatic churches. It contains a
population of 100,000, and is the seat of an archbishop. From 15,000 to
20,000 of its inhabitants are still professedly Christian.

The "crown of life," promised to those who are faithful unto death, is to
be given at Christ's second coming, "who shall judge the quick and the
dead at his appearing and kingdom," 2 Tim. 4:1: "Henceforth there is laid
up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that
love his appearing," _Ib._ 8. "Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which
the Lord hath promised to them that love him," Jam. 1:12.

Those who shall not be hurt of the "second death," are those who shall
attain unto the resurrection of the just, at the commencement of the
millennium. "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first
resurrection: on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be
priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign wi