The Second Death
By Ron Boatwright

     The Bible speaks of two deaths. Let first consider the First Death and then we will consider the Second Death. In death there is a separation. The First Death is when we die physically. In our first death the physical body goes into the grave but our spirit goes back to God who gave it. We read in Ecclesiastes 12:7, that when we die physically, "Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it." This is the first death.

     Now the second death is for those who are going to be lost eternally in Hell. Those who are lost in Hell will be eternally separated from God. Being eternally separated from God is the Second Death, since death is a separation. We read in Revelation 21:8, "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

     The reason this is the Second Death is because of the separation from God. We read in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, "when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," Notice that it says that those who are lost will be separated "from the presence of the Lord", which is the Second Death. Let’s make sure we faithfully obey God so we will not have to endure the Second Death.