Blessed is he who has part in the first resurrection...over such the second death has no power...Rev. 20:6. What is the second death? In this series we have clearly laid out what the scriptures reveal about the first resurrection. Jesus Christ rose from the dead -- this is the first resurrection. He provided the path for mankind to be reconciled to their Father in Heaven. If a human being repents of his sins and accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior, he is born again, and begins to reign with Christ on the earth. This is his first resurrection.
In order to understand the second death we should find out when the first death occurred. When Adam & Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden and ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil, death occurred. This is the first death. The Apostle Paul explains...just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned...Rom. 5:12
At the moment Adam & Eve sinned, the Kingdom of Heaven was removed from the earth and Satan became god of this world. What are the consequences of the first death? Eternal death - separation from God - forever is the consequence. Paul told us...the wages of sin is death...Rom. 6:23. But...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus Christ paid the price of death for the sins of all mankind so they can have eternal life with Him. There is one very important detail in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! What is that detail?
Some denominations teach that Christ died for the sins of all mankind, so all are saved and have the right to enter Heaven when they die - nothing more is required. The devil always gives a little truth in order to lure us into his kingdom.
Jesus told Nicodemus, a Pharisee...most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God...John 3:3. While Jesus Christ did pay the price of death for the sins of all mankind, each individual must repent of his sins to the Father in Heaven and accept His free gift of salvation. Paul explains...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new...II Cor. 5:17. In order to be "in Christ" one must be born again of the Spirit of Christ. We are given the choice to accept God's free gift of salvation or reject it.
The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them...and they were judged, each according to his works...then Death & Hades were cast into the lake of fire...this is the second death...Rev. 20:13-14. In the last blog, we explained that the rest of the dead were people who rejected God and His laws while they lived on the earth, and are residing in Hades until the fiery end of the world, where all human beings will appear at the Great White Throne judgment.
Do you remember the letters that Jesus wrote to the seven churches, one was to the church at Smyrna? He told them...do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer...indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days...be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life...he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches...he who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death...Rev. 2:10-11.
It is important to know that our faith will be tested for its genuineness, when God allows the devil to send trials and tribulations into our lives. Why would God do this? The Apostle Peter answers this question. He said...since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin...I Pet. 4:1. Sin separates us from Christ, yet suffering in the flesh causes us to call upon Him for help, thereby relying on Him for all things. No prideful beings will ever be allowed in Heaven again. If we overcome, we will not be hurt by the second death.
After the judgment at the Great White Throne...Death & Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. People residing in Hades experienced the first death when they were born into the world. Jesus offered the only way to avoid the second death. Since they rejected Him and His free gift of salvation, when they died and left the earth the penalty for their first death had not been paid. The consequence of their folly is the second death.
It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment...Heb.9:27. Mankind must accept Jesus Christ or reject Him while they live on the earth. There is no further chance to make this decision once they die and leave the earthy realm. If they deny Jesus Christ while they live on the earth they will suffer the judgment of the second death.
We have learned in this series that Satan Bound 1000 Years began the moment that Jesus was resurrected and began His 1000 Year Reign on the earth. It was at this time Satan lost his dominion over the earth, mankind and death. The angel cast Satan...into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished...but after these things he must be released for a little while...Rev. 20:3.
We have already defined the symbolism in this reference with the exception of the last sentence. What does it mean...after these things he must be released for a little while? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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