The First & Second Death
The Inevitable
They say that there are three things that are certain in life - death, taxes and change - and personally, I would agree with them. Unfortunately, in the most part, they are all totally unavoidable. During the course of our lives, we learn how to deal with our taxes, and if we don't, we can via a myriad of available information. And for those of us who are more mature, we find ways to adapt to change. But how many of us even want to think about death?
Things that are unknown to us are things that we tend to fear most, but the Word of God tells us about death and what we can expect. In fact the Bible speaks of more than one death - two deaths to be exact. And if you are anything like me, I'm sure none of you even wants to die once, more or less twice! But the good news is that the second death is totally avoidable. Want to know how?
The First Death
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”
This is a sobering statement, but whether like to think of it or not, it is the truth. We will have to face up to the fact that we will die at some point (except for those who get caught up in the rapture of course), but what the Bible also says here is after death is the judgement. That's another topic for another blog however. What we can say here though is that the first death is completely unavoidable due to the failings and the sin of Adam, as detailed in the book of Genesis.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.
Genesis 3:19 (NKJV)
When Eve ate the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and gave it to Adam to eat, they disobeyed God direct command. Their disobedience meant that in that moment they obeyed satan and in doing so, they forfeited their dominion to him. God has already told Adam that if he was to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, death would be the result. Eve managed to be deceived after her encounter with satan and ate the fruit, and Adam followed along after her. God's words are true, yesterday, today and forever. What He says, He means. Therefore death was the final earthly result for Adam and Eve, and all of us, as their descendants, are now subject to the same.
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned
Romans 5:12 (NKJV)
This scripture also reminds me of how interdependent we are as human beings. What I do, and the choices that I make not only affect my life, but the life of my family members, maybe the life of my friends, and possibly the life of those that I am yet to meet. We see that sin entered the world through one man and death came along with it and therefore affects us all.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NKJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Roman 6:23 (NKJV)
The Second Death
Now that we've covered the origins of the first death which, as unpleasant as it is, is something that we are familiar with so let's move onto the second death.
The second death is something that we all completely want to avoid. The second death was not made for mankind, but unfortunately due to man's association with satan and the things of darkness, through disobedience to God, it is an inevitable consequence for that sin. However, the good news is through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the second death is not a concern for all who believe and follow Him. So what exactly is the second death?
“6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. ... 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Revelation 21:8 (NKJV)
The Scriptures above make it very clear what the second death actually is. When the end comes for time as we know it and once the judgments are given, hell and all those in it will be thrown into the lake of fire. This is an eternal separation from God from which there is no way back, forever. The scripture above lists the types of people who will be destined for this eternal separation. If they don't change their ways and repent, the second death will be their final destination.
Of all the items listed in verse 8, the unbelieving is what I want to highlight to you. The way out of the lake of fire and a eternity being separated from God is to be believing.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.
Revelation 2:11 (NKJV)
The Good News
There are some serious consequences for those who are subject to the second death. But there is a way to avoid it. A way has been provided for everyone to be in the place where the second death cannot hurt them. The good news is that the Lord Jesus's work on the Earth was to redeem mankind from the penalty of sin and for us to be reconnected in relationship with God. When we choose to believe in Him and the works that He accomplished during his lifetime on the Earth, and decide to walk with Him, we receive the gift of eternal life. It’s this gift of eternal life that saves us from the second death. This is the only way to ensure that you are safe from eternal condemnation.
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved
John 3:16-17 (NKJV)
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NKJV)
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:40 (NKJV)
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
It's my hope for you that you will open your hearts to the kind generosity and mercy of the Lord to turn to Him. Receive eternal life, and life abundant, and ensure that the second death has no power to hurt you.
