Revelation 20 : 14 declares that the lake of fire is the Second Death.
Many Christians believe this lake of fire is a place of eternal torment or annihilation for those who do not believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, by the time they complete their earthly lives.
I struggle with this belief for many reasons, but mainly because of God's character:
Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. ... for God is love.
And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him.
[1 John 4 : 7 - 9 GNB]
and His declared purpose for His creation:
Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son's blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.
[Colossians 1 : 19, 20 GNB]
(There are three previous posts discussing the Lake of Fire which can be found by placing "Lake of Fire" in the search box on the right.)
So what is this death that the Bible calls the Second Death?
Surely a sensible starting point might be to discover and understand what the first death might be.
There have been so many differing opinions offered throughout the centuries regarding the first and second deaths. I have read several of them, but I have yet to find one that supports my offering here. If there are others that offer something similar - terrific - I just haven't found them yet; if not then my offering may be brave and leave me open to some challenge.
Nevertheless, let me share my thoughts that have been strengthening over recent years, and let's begin even further back with what the corresponding "births" might be.
The First Birth is our physical birth with its condition inherited from Adam
➧ we are born spiritually dead, not alive to God, indeed maybe hostile to God
➧ we are mortal, physically dying from the moment we are born
➧ both aspects of death apply to everyone as we are all related to Adam.
Therefore, just as sin entered into the cosmos through one man, and death through sin, so also death pervaded all humanity ...
[Romans 5 : 12 DBH]
The First Death is the physical death that all humans experience because we were born under Adam's legacy.
➧ although this death is certain, it is only temporary as we will all be resurrected at some stage in the future.
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 21, 22 NIV]
➧ however after this physical death we will still be spiritually dead - unless we've been born again beforehand.
As the Scriptures say: "There is no one who is righteous, no one who is wise or who worships God. All have turned away from God; they have all gone wrong; no one does what is right, not even one.
[Romans 3 : 10 - 12 GNB]
The Second Birth is a spiritual birth, called "being born again" or "being born from above" or "being in Christ".
This birth involves some big changes, for example:
➧ moving from spiritual death to spiritual life
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. [Colossians 2 : 13 NLT]
➧ becoming a new creature in Christ
Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 17 GW]
➧ becoming dead to sin and alive to God
... you also must regard yourselves as dead in relation to sin, but as alive in relation to God, because you are in Christ Jesus.
[Romans 6 : 11 Weymouth]
➧ receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit
And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put his stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised.
The Spirit is the guarantee that we shall receive what God has promised his people, and this assures us that God will give complete freedom to those who are his. Let us praise his glory!
[Ephesians 1 : 13, 14 GNB]
The Second Death is a spiritual death, the death of everything that offends God.
➧ includes the offences to be removed from those who have not had the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit involved in their lives (as those who have experienced the second birth will have by that time).
➧ includes the death of Hades (the realm of the dead) and Death itself.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of fire; this is the Second Death--the Lake of fire.
[Revelation 20 : 14 Weymouth]
When the Second Death has finished its work it will no longer be needed.
For Christ must rule until God defeats all enemies and puts them under his feet. The last enemy to be defeated will be death.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 25, 26 GNB]
And the result of the Second Death's work?
But when all things have been placed under Christ's rule, then he himself, the Son, will place himself under God, who placed all things under him; and God will rule completely over all.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 28 GNB]
Anyone like to discuss my definitions of births and deaths?
Please use the Comments section below - I am a keen seeker of truth and always prepared to discuss and refine or reshape my views.
Blessings, Barry
