In the first post of this series on the second death I explained that the Bible speaks of three distinct types of death: 1) spiritual death, 2) soulical death, and 3) physical death. Our Creator God, Jesus, came to earth as a man and died in order to bring us spiritual life and reconcile us to him once again. Although the Bible does teach about this most of the holy Word relates to the second death, the death of our soul. Most Christians do not believe that they will ever partake of the second death because they equate the spirit with the soul and thus do not understand the Bible’s warnings concerning the death of the soul. They believe that because they believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins that they have escaped the second death. They reinforce their error because they equate the second death and the lake of fire with Hell and they “are going to heaven,” don’t you know? These Christians do not understand that the following verse applies to every Christian who does not walk with and obey Christ:
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 KJV)
Christ spoke this warning to the Church of Smyrna, a church which endured great persecution. It was to this church that Jesus also said, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) God reserves the crown of life for his overcomers, for those who obey him. He does not give this crown to most Christians because most Christians do not obey him. Most Christians will thus be “hurt” by the second death. Those who will be hurt by the second death are those who did not “put to death” the misdeeds of their flesh while they had opportunity to do so. Paul says,
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity,passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice,slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:1-10 ESV)
Today we see a generation of Christians who scoff at holy living. Certain churches actively ordain “ministers” who practice homosexuality, adultery, or advocate abortion. For them sexual immorality, impurity, passion, and evil desire seems to not even exist. Yet Paul says that it is on account of these very things that “the wrath of God is coming.” Part of that wrath includes throwing these particular sinners, even if they are Christians, into the lake of fire. The Book of Revelation makes this quite clear.
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers [overcomes] will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 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.” (Revelation 21:5-8)
God does not reserve the second death for Christians only, of course. This fate awaits all whose names are not written in the Book of Life.
11 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. 12 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. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them,according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
The judgment seen in the verses directly above clearly includes non-Christians, and most Christians mistakenly believe that this passage cannot include them. Since they believe upon Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins they believe their names have been eternally written in the Book of Life. Yet, what does the Scripture really say about that? Once your name is written in the Book of Life does it always remain there? Jesus himself does not think that is necessarily so. He says,
“I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers [overcomes] will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:1b-6)
Christ’s clear implication here is that he will blot out from the Book of Life the names of those who do not overcome, of those who do not repent of their sins, of those who do not wake up and come out of Babylon, who do not come out of the world’s system. If we fail to “put to death” the sins of our flesh by the power of the Spirit now, just as Paul instructs us, then be assured that Christ himself will put them to death in the lake of fire. This is the second death.
