The Second Death
Rev. John W. Gerald
I. HEED THE WARNINGS
Revelation 2:11 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.
The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. It is best to take heed to His warnings. The message to the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 warns and guides us in the safe spiritual way. We should accept it as for us in this day.
II. ALLOW NOTHING TO OFFEND
Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Sin springs out of the heart and mind, but the instruments of sin may be our members, hands, eyes, ears and tongue. To cut off a hand or foot because it is the instrument of a sin would serve as a true reminder of the seriousness of our sins. It would truly be better to enter into life maimed, than to be cast into hell fire with all of our members intact. We should take serious warning!
III. FIRE PREPARED FOR SATAN’S FOLLOWERS
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
We must not try to deceive ourselves into thinking that we are going to heaven when we have not been born again of the Spirit from above. No hypocrite, or person falling into any of Satan’s deceits, will get to heaven on a false hope. We may believe a lie with all of our heart, but it will not save us.
IV. THE FIRST TO BE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
The principal forces of Satan assembled at the time of the end, though they have ruled the world, will crumble before his face at the last, and be cast bodily into the lake of fire. They will not be given any respite in hell. They will have no time waiting for the final judgment. It will be executed upon them immediately! The Beast is commonly believed to be the Anti-Christ. The false prophet is his second in command, his right hand man! He is the one who deceives the whole world and persuades them to worship the Beast. Together they will overcome every nation and power on the earth. The LORD from heaven will be the only one who can bring them down. He will do it completely!
V. THOSE WORTHY TO ESCAPE
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
In the first resurrection all of Christ’s servants will rise up from the earth, whether dead or alive, to meet the LORD in the air! He will descend upon the earth at the time of judgment upon the wicked nations, rulers, kings and princes at the last. At this time He will set His feet upon Mount Zion and deliver His people Israel from all their enemies!
VI. EVERLASTING TORMENT FOR SATAN
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Now the devil himself will be cast into the lake of fire, where the Beast and the false prophet have been for one thousand years already. The devil had a respite for one thousand years in the bottomless pit! But the time of waiting is over at last!
VII. DEATH AND HELL ARE NOT FINAL
Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
So many people have believed that Hell was forever and eternal, but this has been a place for condemned souls to await their final judgment. Death and hell, the grave and the sea will give up their dead to the final judgment. These two verses tell us who will be cast into the lake of fire; all who are not found written in the book of life. I hope that your name will be found in the book of life with mine!
VIII. ALL WHO WILL BE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Christians will face only one death besides death to sin. When their LORD comes, he will call them out of their graves and give them a glorified body in which to live and praise Him forever in His eternal kingdom. After these join their LORD in heaven, the rest of the dead will remain in HELL until after the thousand years, at which time they will arise and receive their bodies. They will be judged in their bodies, and cast into the lake of fire with Satan and his angels. This list will give you some idea of who will be cast into the lake of fire with Satan.
A.) The fearful
Those who under fear of persecution or of loss of life itself, have gone back on Christ. Many have gone back when faced with these dangers.
B.) Unbelieving
Those who resist in the face of indisputable evidence.
C.) The abominable
Those who are polluted with unnatural lusts - such as homosexuals.
D.) Murderers
Those who take away the life of another human being without legal right, and those who hate another in their heart.
E.) Whoremongers
Adulterers, fornicators, prostitutes, and all other immoral practitioners.
F.) Idolaters
Those who offer any kind of worship or reverence to anything but God.
G.) All liars
Everyone who speaks untruth when he knows the truth, and even those who speak the truth only in part so as to deceive.
Paul said: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God". 1 Corinthians 6:11
Amen, and so may it be! Some have made a profession of a commitment to Christ, but in reality, there has been no real change. Some started out well, but have fallen by the wayside. Some, like a dog, have returned to their own vomit!
But some, like Paul, have kept the faith, run with patience the race that was set before them, and have a crown laid up for them at the end.
Which is it with you? Will you be pure and holy, or defiled and unworthy of heaven?
