If there is a second death, then there must be a first death. The first death is our physical death.

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Genesis 3:19 emphasis mine)

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27 emphasis mine)

In Genesis 2:17 God tells Adam, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Obviously, Adam did not die physically until over 900 years later, but on the day he sinned, he began dying physically. Also, on that same day, he died spiritually.

Death means “separation.” In physical death, we are separated from our body, or as Paul calls it, our tent or tabernacle. In spiritual death, we are separated from God.

Someone said, “Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once.” We who have been born again in Jesus Christ will experience the first resurrection, but never the second death. We are overcomers in Christ Jesus. We are “born twice, but die once.” Those without Christ are “born once, but die twice.”

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)

“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 with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)

What is an overcomer?

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)

What is the second death?

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14)

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

All of us are partakers of sin. The difference between the lost sinner and the saved sinner is that those who have been saved by faith in Jesus are born again spiritually. His blood has covered our sins and cleansed us (garment of salvation). Not only that, He has cloaked us with His own righteousness (robe of righteousness), and it is Jesus’ righteousness God sees when He looks upon us.

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3:9)

“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:” (2 Peter 1:1)

The self-righteousness of the lost sinner is all he has and will not stand up under the scrutiny of a holy God.

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:41, 46 emphasis mine)

All of mankind is born once (physically). All of mankind physically dies once (with a few Biblical exceptions, such as the rapture for example).

No believer will die twice, but every unbeliever will die twice, the second time being cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. See again Revelation 20:14; 21:8.

The lake of fire (second death) is eternal separation from God. It was prepared by God for Satan and his angels, but those who have never trusted in Christ will also be there for eternity. See again Matthew 25:41, 46.

Some may think I’m being very negative in talking about these issues, but isn’t it better to get it out in the open now? Some may say, “You’re scaring me!” Isn’t it better to be scared now and do something about it, than to be horrified when it is too late?

Some teach that ‘when a lost person dies their soul dies along with their body. Therefore, there is no life for them after the grave.’ I’m sure they have the following passage in mind.

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

Let me point out two important observations in this passage.

1. The Greek word for “destroy,” apollymi is meant to be used as follows: The idea is not extinction but ruin, loss, not of being, but of well-being. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the New Testament Words)
2. Revelation 20:14 (see above) says clearly that “death and hell” are “cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Through death, every lost soul goes to hell. Hell, and every soul therein, are cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death.

Notice carefully the next two verses.

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:20)

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)

In Revelation 19:20 the beast and false prophet “were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” One thousand (1,000) years later, at the end of the Millennium, Satan (the devil) “was also cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are.” The beast and false prophet are still alive in the lake of fire, 1,000 years later, when Satan (the devil) is also cast in. All those at the great White Throne judgement will also be cast alive into the lake of fire. (See verses above.)

Some also teach that the lost will suffer for a period of time and then will be released from the lake of fire, but along with the beast and false prophet, all “shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10 above)

Every person cast into the lake of fire will be there because of their rejection of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, their works must either measure up to the works of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, or they must have called upon Jesus to be saved while they were alive physically. No one is perfect but God, so that’s out. Did they put their faith in Jesus and Him only to be saved while they were physically alive? Since they are at the White Throne judgment, the answer is obvious. There is no hope.

A man can spend an eternity trying to “work off” their debt to God, but it is humanly impossible to ever accomplish that feat. To even think that is possible is the ultimate in satanic pride.

Also, think about this. Most everyone, if they knew there was nothing after death but ‘nothingness,’ or if they could at least ‘work it off’ after a period of time, would spend their entire lives brow deep in their favorite sins with no intentions of ever repenting.

Then there are those shouting, “That’s not fair! I want what’s coming to me!” Every person in the lake of fire, the second death, will certainly receive that. Those who are wise will certainly not want what is coming to them. These instead will call upon Jesus and gladly receive God’s grace, which does not give us what we deserve, but what we do not deserve, the glorious riches of all that is of God.

The bottom line is that all who avoid the second death have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, and all who partake of the second death have refused the only path to God.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

Grant Phillips

Email: grantphillips@windstream.net

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

 

We have two indoor cats, sisters that have never been outside. They look nothing alike. One is grey and black with long hair. Her name is Pepper. The other is black and white with short hair. Her name is Mittens. Don’t laugh, but my wife and I are convinced they understand more human words than we understand cat words, which is zero.

I had an appointment at 10:00 this morning to take Pepper in to have her hair trimmed, then for her shot at the vet’s office, which is in the same building. Pepper was under my feet all morning, wanting a snack, until I called the vet’s office around 9:15. I haven’t seen her since. I had to reschedule her hair trimming appointment and needless to say, her shot at the vet’s office. She is hiding from me, and this isn’t the first time this has happened.

I got to thinking about this from another angle, and I had to ask myself, “I wonder how often I have run off to hide from God?” How many times has He wanted to do what is best for us, but we have hidden ourselves from His presence, so we think? I can’t find Pepper right now and there is no point in looking, but can we really hide from God? Indulge me while we read what King David had to say about this.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them. (Psalm 139:7-16 NASB)

Wow! Regardless of where we are, what we are doing and even thinking, God is there. He knows all, and I mean “ALL.” There is no place to hide from Him. That’s really something to think about; especially when we think we’re getting by with ‘mischief.’ Maybe that’s why two of God’s attributes are called being ‘omnipresent’ and ‘omniscient.’

He knows all about us before we were even formed in our mother’s womb. He knows how many days we will live even before we live the first day.

We sing of Santa Claus, “he knows when you’ve been bad or good,” but that is actually a lie. However, in God’s case, it is most definitely true in every sense of the word.

I spent a lot of time in the past trying to hide from God. Have you? Maybe that is what you are doing right now. If you are a child of God, quit wasting your life and come out of hiding. We really aren’t living at all until we are living in His will. I’m not saying that everything is going to be a beautiful bed of roses. I am saying that true peace and happiness can only be found when we are in His will, living out in the open in the warmth of His light.

Maybe you’re not a child of God. Do you really think He knows nothing about you or what you’re going through? Do you really think He doesn’t care? Whether you are His child or not, Jesus says,

“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7 NASB)

If you were not important to God, He would never have died and rose again so you could have eternal life with Him. If you were not important, He would never have provided so much for you if you call upon His Son Jesus to be saved.

We cannot hide from God. Many will laugh it off and say, “Nonsense!” He still knows who you really are, not what you portray to others, but who you ‘really’ are. He knows where you are. He knows your heart.

At the Judgment Seat of Christ, every Christian’s works will be judged by Jesus Christ in order to present us with rewards for our faithful service. Salvation is not an issue. That is settled. He wants to reward us for what we have done for Him. Are you in hiding, or living for Him out in the open?

At the great White Throne Judgment, every unbeliever of all ages will stand before Him to be judged for their works. Again, salvation is not an issue, because no one standing before Him on that day will have salvation. They will not possess eternal life, but instead eternal death. Only their works will be judged, and no one will have enough. Their works will have to measure up to the works of Christ, and none will. All will be cast into the Lake of Fire. Are you in hiding? He knows all about you. Why not come to Him now and ask Him to save you?

“For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Romans 10:5-13 NLT)

Christians, if we’re going to hide, let’s do it God’s way.

“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” (Psalm 119:114)

Grant Phillips

Email: grantphillips@windstream.net

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html