Second Death

Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”  John 3:36  God’s judgment is holy, just and necessary.  Those who reject God’s provision claim: “I do not need reconciliation”; “I will define truth”; I will rule myself; or “I know better than God”.   Such rebellion creates hardened hearts, moral decay and spiritual blindness.

Physical death separates the body and the soul. The soul of every person is held in Hades until time for the white throne judgment.  The righteous are held in comfort while the wicked are held in suffering.  Upon the second coming of Christ, those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus will be resurrected to eternal life.  This is the first resurrection that ushers in the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.

At the end of this time, Revelation 20:11-12 says, "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done."   All humanity will stand before God and be judged according to their deeds and their acceptance of Christ. Those who have rejected the gift of Christ are condemned to the lake of fire – the second death.

Those destined to the fiery lake are described in Revelation 21:8: “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Of those destined to the fiery lake, observe the first noted: the cowardly.  Do not be cowardly in proclaiming the gospel, speaking God’s word or in acknowledging Christ.  Instead, declare boldly in your word and deeds to proclaim Christ Jesus to the glory of the Father.  This will be to the Trinity’s pleasure and delight!

While God does not delight in the death of anyone, Hell (Gehanna) is the final outcome for persistent rejection of God’s love, mercy and grace. Make Christ your inheritance.   “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection.  The second death has no power over them, but they will become priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him.”  Revelation 20.6

“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”  1 John 5:12 

Again – “Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”  John 3:36  

The choice is yours!   Choose life!  Or choose death!

(Hint: There is not a third option.)

Someone’s eternity depends on it!

Awaken the sleeper!