In each blog, I often reference many different topics that I've already covered (or will soon cover), and maybe you've missed. Please review my blogs to read more...
CLICK HERE! for an index to previous blogs.
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Part 1 left off asking a question concerning Revelation 20:14:
Rev 20:14 And death and hell WERE CAST INTO the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Death is cast into The Lake of Fire.
Hell is cast into The Lake of Fire.
and afterwards...
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
"This is the second death".
What does that mean?
Second death?
_______________________________
First - a couple of notes...
STRONG's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, page 219, #4442, pur; a primary word; "fire" (literally OR FIGURATIVELY. Pur is used (besides its ordinary natural significance):
[1] of the holiness of God, which consumes all that is inconsistent therewith, Heb. 10:27; 12:29; cf. Rev. 1:14; 2:18; 10:1; 15:2; 19:12;
(1a) similarly of the holy angels as His ministers, Heb. 1:7;
(1b) in Rev. 3:18 it is SYMBOLIC of that which tries the faith of saints, PRODUCING WHAT WILL GLORIFY THE LORD;
[2] of the divine judgment, testing the deeds of believers, at the judgment seat of Christ I Cor. 3:13 and 15;
[3] of the fire of DIVINE JUDGMENT upon the REJECTERS of Christ, Matt. 3:11 (where a distinction is to be made between the baptism of the holy Spirit at Pentecost and the "fire" of divine retribution; Acts 2:3 could not refer to baptism); Lk. 3:16."
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I touched on this briefly elsewhere, but I want to come back to this in more depth now.
1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; OF WHOM I AM CHIEF.
Most people believe that when Paul said he was the "chief of sinners" he was just blowing hot air - trying to play super humble or something. That he was so spiritual that he equated persecution of the church with being the grossest sin of all time.
Rev 2:11 ... He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power...
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This IS the second death.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore-mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which IS the second death.
The lake of fire is distinctly defined as the second death (Rev 20:14; Rev 21:8).
Into The Lake of Fire is cast all that is still at enmity with God.
Remember, this is at the Great White Throne Judgment, at the end of the Millennial Reign. The Church has already been resurrected and taken to be with Jesus (prior to the beginning of the Millennial Reign).
Unbelievers are still in their graves awaiting their resurrection to the Great White Throne Judgment all throughout the Millennial Reign (plus the ones that will die during the Millennial Reign!)
They have not been reconciled to Christ.
They are still at enmity with God (see Eph 2:11-22).
They won't be at enmity for long though...
God will change their ways. No longer will any sin or carnality exist anywhere in the universe - it will be burnt up by God's Judgment. The wicked "will learn righteousness" (Isa 26:9-10).
We are told that the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
The Lake of Fire, otherwise known as "the second death", still has a purpose for the aions (ages). It cannot be "destroyed" yet... it's not time yet.
We are also told that Christ is the One who abolishes death and brings life and incorruptibility to light.
2 Tim 1:10 yet now is being manifested through the advent of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, Who, indeed, abolishes death, yet illuminates life and incorruption through the evangel.
How and when it will be abolished is told to us in 1 Corinthians 15.
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam ALL die [not just believers or not just unbelievers... ALL], even so [so also] in Christ shall ALL [not just believers or not just unbelievers... ALL] be made alive [G2227 - zoopoieo].
This takes place at the consummation:
1 Cor 15:23-26 But EVERY man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming [believers]. THEN comes the end [consummation], when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death [including the second death].
The main confusion on the subject of the second death has been brought about by the refusal to believe that it is a death at all.
Jud 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal [G166 - aionion] fire.
Isa 26:9-10 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world WILL LEARN righteousness.
Php 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that EVERY tongue should confess...
... that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Some choose to do so in this life.
Others will learn to do so in the next.
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Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
CLICK HERE! for an index to previous blogs.
______________________________
Part 1 left off asking a question concerning Revelation 20:14:
Rev 20:14 And death and hell WERE CAST INTO the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Death is cast into The Lake of Fire.
Hell is cast into The Lake of Fire.
and afterwards...
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
"This is the second death".
What does that mean?
Second death?
_______________________________
First - a couple of notes...
STRONG's Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, page 219, #4442, pur; a primary word; "fire" (literally OR FIGURATIVELY. Pur is used (besides its ordinary natural significance):
[1] of the holiness of God, which consumes all that is inconsistent therewith, Heb. 10:27; 12:29; cf. Rev. 1:14; 2:18; 10:1; 15:2; 19:12;
(1a) similarly of the holy angels as His ministers, Heb. 1:7;
(1b) in Rev. 3:18 it is SYMBOLIC of that which tries the faith of saints, PRODUCING WHAT WILL GLORIFY THE LORD;
[2] of the divine judgment, testing the deeds of believers, at the judgment seat of Christ I Cor. 3:13 and 15;
[3] of the fire of DIVINE JUDGMENT upon the REJECTERS of Christ, Matt. 3:11 (where a distinction is to be made between the baptism of the holy Spirit at Pentecost and the "fire" of divine retribution; Acts 2:3 could not refer to baptism); Lk. 3:16."
_____________________________
I touched on this briefly elsewhere, but I want to come back to this in more depth now.
1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; OF WHOM I AM CHIEF.
Most people believe that when Paul said he was the "chief of sinners" he was just blowing hot air - trying to play super humble or something. That he was so spiritual that he equated persecution of the church with being the grossest sin of all time.
Not so. God's Holy Spirit did not inspire Paul to "blow hot air" to make himself look artificially humble!
Paul (Saul before his conversion) really was the WORST sinner that has ever lived in the history of the world (including the Hitlers of this world!).
There is a very important reason for understanding how gross a sinner Paul really was (Scripture tells he was set as a "pattern").
There is a paramount reason why you will NEVER be able to out-sin Paul.
NO ONE has ever been able to out-sin Paul.
NO ONE has ever been able to out-sin Paul.
Men like Hitler and Hussein may have come close, but no one will ever hold that infamous distinction of being the "chief, preeminent, foremost sinner of all time" but the apostle Paul.
Jesus Christ had to fill that position two thousand years ago so that we could come to an understanding of upon Whom the ends of the ages are come!
Here's the proof:
The phrase "beyond measure" in the KJV (Gal 1:13) is translated from the Greek word hyperbole and has two primary usages:
"TRANSCENDENT" as found in Scriptures, such as:
2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL [eonian] WEIGHT of glory.
The Greek translated "exceeding" is huperbole, and means TRANSCENDENT.
Transcendent describes something that is highest, incomparable, consummate, matchless, preeminent, sublime, perfect, unequaled, unparalleled, and unrivaled!
In other words the highest possible degree. Nothing is higher than that which is huperbole -- TRANSCENDENT
"INORDINATE" as we read in:
CLV Gal 1:13 For you hear of my behavior once, in Judaism, that I INORDINATELY persecuted the ecclesia [church] of God and ravaged it.
Inordinate describes something that is excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, unreasonable, and too much.
"inordinately" is translated from the SAME GREEK WORD huperbole which is also translated "transcendently"!
Here then is the Biblical truth of this matter.
To the degree that "transcendently" describes the HEIGHT of God's goodness and glory, so likewise does the word "inordinately" describe the HEIGHT of evil that Paul perpetrated on the Church of God.
God's transcendent (huperbole) goodness and glory are unparalleled.
Likewise, Paul's inordinate (huperbole) slaughter (murders) and threatenings are also, unparalleled.
God's Word does not say in vain that Paul was the CHIEF, FOREMOST, PREEMINENT (absolute WORST) of ALL SINNERS WHO HAVE EVER LIVED!
He really WAS.
God changed Saul to Paul with a flash of light in a matter of a few seconds.
Also note... Paul didn't ask to be changed... he was on his way to persecute Christians!
God changed Paul's heart without even consulting with him.
Also note... Paul didn't ask to be changed... he was on his way to persecute Christians!
God changed Paul's heart without even consulting with him.
Paul immediately went from the chief of sinners to:
Act 9:6 ... trembling and astonished, said, 'LORD, WHAT WILL YOU HAVE ME TO DO?
My point?
If God can do that with the worst sinner to ever live (throughout history) what do you think He'll be able to with any of us?
Including Hitler, Hussein, Bundy, Manson, Dahmer, you, me... ?
Do not put limitations on our ALL patient, ALL powerful, ALL knowing, ALL loving Father.
Now... back to the Lake of Fire - otherwise known as...
___________________________
... the SECOND DEATH
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore-mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which IS the second death.
The lake of fire is distinctly defined as the second death (Rev 20:14; Rev 21:8).
Into The Lake of Fire is cast all that is still at enmity with God.
Remember, this is at the Great White Throne Judgment, at the end of the Millennial Reign. The Church has already been resurrected and taken to be with Jesus (prior to the beginning of the Millennial Reign).
Unbelievers are still in their graves awaiting their resurrection to the Great White Throne Judgment all throughout the Millennial Reign (plus the ones that will die during the Millennial Reign!)
They have not been reconciled to Christ.
They are still at enmity with God (see Eph 2:11-22).
They won't be at enmity for long though...
God will change their ways. No longer will any sin or carnality exist anywhere in the universe - it will be burnt up by God's Judgment. The wicked "will learn righteousness" (Isa 26:9-10).
We are told that the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
The Lake of Fire, otherwise known as "the second death", still has a purpose for the aions (ages). It cannot be "destroyed" yet... it's not time yet.
We are also told that Christ is the One who abolishes death and brings life and incorruptibility to light.
How and when it will be abolished is told to us in 1 Corinthians 15.
It is to be abolished by means of universal vivification (made alive).
This takes place at the consummation:
The main confusion on the subject of the second death has been brought about by the refusal to believe that it is a death at all.
Regardless of what Scripture just said above, many believe it to be an eternal torture chamber where death will never come to those wicked unbelievers!
We must remember that this phrase "the second death" is not to be explained - it IS itself the explanation of what is to be understood by "The Lake of Fire"...
... meaning, the term "second death" explains what "The Lake of Fire" IS.
The most striking case of the fire of Divine Judgment is found in the overthrow of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Indeed, they are expressly said to be set forth as an example:
(We covered this partially in other blogs.)
But even this extreme case carried no thought of final annihilation to the mind of our Lord or to the prophets.
Ezekiel assures us that Sodom shall return to her former estate (Eze 16:55).
Our Lord assures us that they shall have toleration in the Day of Judgment (Mat 10:15; Mat 11:24; Mar 6:11; Luk 10:12).
Death and resurrection are exhaustively treated in 1 Corinthians and there it is we should look for clear statements as to the ultimate goal.
There we are distinctly told that the last enemy that shall be abolished is death (which must refer to the lake of fire, for the first death cannot be the last enemy).
And there we are told that it is to be done by a universal vivification rather than resurrection.
The term "resurrection" is applied to those who have afterward died again, such as those who suffer the second death. Hence there is not a resurrection, merely, from the lake of fire but a vivification beyond which there can be no death.
We were just told that "death" will be last enemy destroyed at the end of the ages.
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A lady recently related in one of the journals how she went through a nasty blizzard to view a flower-show.
With one step she passed out of the wild night, the deep snow, the fierce wind, the biting frost, into a brilliant hall filled with roses, tulips, hyacinths, azaleas, heliotropes, and orchids.
So it will be at the conclusion of the eons at the consummation.
Those who had tasted to the full of the bitterness of punishment will emerge from the second death leaving sin / carnality behind them and will become Sons of God and heirs of all things.
They missed out on the gift, and promise of "aionion life", but they also will:
Php 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that EVERY tongue should confess...
... that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Some choose to do so in this life.
Others will learn to do so in the next.
____________________________
Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
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