“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” (Rev.21:8). The “second” death represents total obliteration of the sinner. The wages or the payment, for a sinful life is eternal death, not eternal life in “another” place or eternal torture in a fire. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom.6:23). Death and life are on opposite poles of the equation: where one is, the other will not be found.
The “second” death (Rev.20:6) does
not represent eternal life in a hell-fire that nearly but not quite, destroys the sinner. Death does not represent “eternal,
alive and conscious, separation” from God. The “second” death represents exactly what scripture says it represents. And
scripture is clear: it represents death and total annihilation. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the
soul. But rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt.10:28). No “immortal soul” will
survive the second death. The “second” death represents total destruction of the being, both body and soul—annihilation, extinction,
obliteration, eradication. THE BIBLE: “The soul who sins shall die” (Ezek.18:20). No “immortal” soul will exist in a “place
of separation” or in darkness for untold millions upon millions of years as a punishment for 20, 30, or 90 years of sinful behavior
on earth. We humans recoil and cringe at over-punishing a person who murders another human being. We do not want to put
lawbreakers on the rack. The courts will not allow a petty thief to be hanged by his neck until dead, and we certainly do not
torture criminals with hot coals on their chests. That is unjust. We want to be sure lawbreakers are given their “rights”
and “just dues.” And indeed, in
The apostle Paul gives two opposites—two opposing conditions: (1)death (the absence of life in any form) versus (2) life. My friend, which one will you choose? Choose life that you and
your family may live! (Deut.30:19). God will have mercy and compassion on whomever he will (Rom.9:18-21). God is the Potter;
we are the clay. Entrance to Salvation is through a New Birth. A follower of Christ, in order to become a true believer,
must be reborn. In the vernacular, he must be born-again. When a person is “reborn” a very new principle or “nature” is
added to his being, and he is propelled toward Jesus Christ. “Jesus … said to him … unless one is born again, he cannot see
the
“He who believes in him [Christ] is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned
already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (Jn.3:18). “Beloved, now we are children of
God…” (1Jn.3 :2a). If we are not born children of God, we are not “sons” and “daughters” of God. Some say that “all” people
are God’s children. That is wrong. Not everybody qualifies to be called God’s children.
Although salvation is free in the sense of earning it, there is a cost involved. Believers are admonished to “count the cost” of following Christ. You cannot “do” anything to gain salvation, but if you do nothing in respect to salvation, you cannot be saved. God demands obedience after one is regenerated and brought to Christ (Lk.14:26-30). A believer must readjust his priorities in life. God must come first. Jesus Christ must be praised and God must be worshiped. The believer must be obedient and willing to give up worldly possessions and associations, if necessary. This does not mean that he must do so, only that he be willing to do so. Salvation is not an easy thing.
(Continued...)
