Second Death
We are all aware of physical death. We see it frequently in accidents, illness, wars, natural disasters, etc. We also may have heard the term spiritual death though many throughout the world may not have heard this term or may not comprehend its meaning.
DEAD
The Bible speaks of both types of death. Those outside of Christ are alive physically, but they are spiritually dead-"dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1).
The Bible also speaks of eternal, or everlasting, death. Those who persist in their unbelief remain forever in spiritual death-eternal separation from God-which Scripture calls the "second death "
(from Nels
on's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
We first hear the term second death in Revelation chapter 2 in the Lord's comments to the church at Smyrna.
11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death .Rev 2:11; NIV.
What does the Lord mean by second death?
Death
The "second death " (Rev 2:11) is the everlasting perdition of the wicked (Rev 21:8), and "second" in respect to natural or temporal death.
(from Easton's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Some have contended that the second death is literal annihilation - that they will be obliterated and no longer even exist.
ETERNAL DEATH
The idea that the "second death " (Rev 20:14) is in the case of the wicked their absolute destruction, their annihilation, has not the slightest support from Scripture, which always represents their future as one of conscious suffering enduring for ever.
(from Easton's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
HELL
Hades, "hell," is used for destruction (Matt 11:23; 16:18). Jesus has its keys, and will at last consign it to the lake of fire which is the second death ;
(from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998, 2003 by Biblesoft)
Those who participate in the first resurrection, the resurrection of the righteous, will not be affected by this second death.
6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Rev 20:6; NIV.
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death . Rev 20:14; NIV.
Those enemies of the Lord left out of the first resurrection will assigned to the placed referred to as "the lake of burning sulfur", the place of eternal punishment. We are told very clearly that, "This is the second death ."
8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death ." Rev 21:8; NIV.
Category: Tabernacle
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