However, on death, the Bible speaks of two deaths for two kinds of people – the righteous in Christ (not just church goers) and the others (called the unrighteous). The first death which is a temporary death experience can happen to all peoples but some will escape it. The Bible says the righteous in Christ that are alive when He appears will be taken up to be with Him (raptured) and will have missed this death. Christ one day returns on earth with the raptured saints to reign for a thousand years and at the end of the millennium, the arrested Satan is permitted to deceive some for a while. All that are alive on earth when God brings an end to the earth and the heaven as we know it and comes to judge on a great white throne – will also have missed the first death. The Bible tells us not to fear this first death.
There are also rare cases of saints like Enoch and Elijah who did not see this death.
Genesis 5 [24] And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Matthew 10[28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
I Thessalonians 4[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The second death is the one that should be feared – as this is an everlasting death. All who are in Christ will miss the second death – which is also called hell or the lake of fire and brimstone. This is the death that many obviously wish did not exist. All unbelievers who encountered the first death will be resurrected (brought from Hades) for a meeting with the second.
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.
Revelation 20[14] And death and hell(hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was 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.
When the thief on the cross died - Christ told him he would immediately be in paradise. We also know that when the unrighteous die, death keeps him in a place of torments called Hades(not hell) until resurrection for judgment. The body of the believer that dies is resurrected much earlier to be with Christ before other saints when the trumpet sounds at the experience called the rapture.
Luke 16[22]...: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom
I Corinthians 15[51] Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The thief on the cross met Jesus at his very last minute and was spared the second death. This tells us only Christ knows those who are saved – for the bride must be veiled until the appointed time. More clear is the truth that He will say to many “ I never knew you”. There will be strange surprises for many that were greatly used – even to do miracles and lead others aright.
Luke 23[42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. [43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise
A final lesson from the story of Lazarus and the Rich man. All who are alive need to give thought to death today and consider the deaths they want to see and the nature of their afterlife. For the afterlife and death are far more relevant and important experiences than this life which at its fullest is only a drop in a huge ocean - even if in that drop, we achieved great things and were deservingly celebrated by all nations and peoples. All that happened was only in a drop ...and we must now face the ocean determined by whether we were truly in Christ or not.
Give your life to Jesus and be saved. Salvation in Christ plainly put is deliverance from the everlasting and eternal second death...the Bible says those who are saved will not see this death.
John 8 [51] Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Lord, have mercy on us. Give your life to Jesus today, come to Him and be saved. I do thank God for the awesome legacy of computer technology that Steve left behind.
Genesis 5 [24] And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Matthew 10[28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
I Thessalonians 4[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The second death is the one that should be feared – as this is an everlasting death. All who are in Christ will miss the second death – which is also called hell or the lake of fire and brimstone. This is the death that many obviously wish did not exist. All unbelievers who encountered the first death will be resurrected (brought from Hades) for a meeting with the second.
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.
Revelation 20[14] And death and hell(hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was 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.
When the thief on the cross died - Christ told him he would immediately be in paradise. We also know that when the unrighteous die, death keeps him in a place of torments called Hades(not hell) until resurrection for judgment. The body of the believer that dies is resurrected much earlier to be with Christ before other saints when the trumpet sounds at the experience called the rapture.
Luke 16[22]...: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom
I Corinthians 15[51] Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The thief on the cross met Jesus at his very last minute and was spared the second death. This tells us only Christ knows those who are saved – for the bride must be veiled until the appointed time. More clear is the truth that He will say to many “ I never knew you”. There will be strange surprises for many that were greatly used – even to do miracles and lead others aright.
Luke 23[42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. [43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise
A final lesson from the story of Lazarus and the Rich man. All who are alive need to give thought to death today and consider the deaths they want to see and the nature of their afterlife. For the afterlife and death are far more relevant and important experiences than this life which at its fullest is only a drop in a huge ocean - even if in that drop, we achieved great things and were deservingly celebrated by all nations and peoples. All that happened was only in a drop ...and we must now face the ocean determined by whether we were truly in Christ or not.
Give your life to Jesus and be saved. Salvation in Christ plainly put is deliverance from the everlasting and eternal second death...the Bible says those who are saved will not see this death.
John 8 [51] Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Lord, have mercy on us. Give your life to Jesus today, come to Him and be saved. I do thank God for the awesome legacy of computer technology that Steve left behind.
About the author
Bode Ososami has pastored and faithfully declared the gospel of Christ at Covenant House Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church God – Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria for nine years and now pastors The House of Victory 59, Itire Rd, Surulere, Lagos. He has published 4 books –. Wealth out of Ashes (his second book) was recognised for an award by USA BookNews (2009 National Awards) in the Christian Inspiration Category. His third book, The Majesty of God was published in December 2010. A fourth book, Perfect Fall Wedding: The Coming of Christ has just been published. Bode is married to Bimbo Ososami and they have three sons Adedolapo, Tosin and Mayowa. His blog is http://recessionproofchristianlife.com/This article was culled from his post in The Christian Post
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