What Is The Second Death?

Review - The First Death

Remember Jesus said to his disciples,

Luke 12:4
"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
(from New International Version)

Another Death

Jesus then went on to say,

Luke 12:5
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
(from New International Version) 

According to the Bible Dictionaries, 'hell' referred to a deep gorge near Jesualem where rubbish and waste matter was continually thrown. The waste matter continually smouldered or burst into flame. It was used metaphorically for the final lake of fire.

The Second Death

The final lake of fire is the other death.

Rev 20:15
If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
(from New International Version)

The previous verse tells us that the lake of fire is the second death.

Rev 20:14
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
(from New International Version)

It should be strongly emphasised that this is not an eternal dying or an eternal frying, but a death.

When Is This Second Death?

If you will refer to the page 'Future History', and then the section 'The End Of The Thousand Years', the second death occurs at the nominal date given of 3150 AD [HIGHLY SPECULATIVE OF COURSE, but it serves to show the sequence of events].

The General Rule For Life And Death

Paul defined the rule in a few words,

Heb 9:27
. . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
KJV

All the billions who have ever lived will be given life once more at the end of the millenium. Most will never even have heard of Jesus Christ or of the laws of God. 

Then in the years remaining, all will be taught the truth. They will see the evidence of a thousand years of right living. Satan will again tempt men, and they will have to choose between everlasting life and death. This is the time of judgment.

John 6:45
It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
(from New International Version)

Rev 20:7-8
7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth- . . .
(from New International Version)

Exceptions To The General Rule

There have been a minute number of people raised from the dead in this age: by the prophets; by Jesus when he went about healing; by the disciples. Hence for them it was given twice to die.

Then of course there is the tiny percentage called 'the elect' who will meet Jesus at his coming. Their resurrection is at the beginning of the millenium, and it is called by Paul the better resurrection. God invites you to join this elect.

Heb 11:35
. . . others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection
KJV

1 Cor 15:51-52
51 . . . we will all be changed- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised . . .
(from New International Version)

Matt 24:30-31
30 . . . all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
(from New International Version)

May God in his infinite mercy grant that you and I "be in that number" with the saints, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who is the coming King.

This page on the Second Death created 28sep06
upd.4oct06