12/01/2025
In the eyes of our God who created the universe, breathed life into man, and on more than one occasion raised the dead... what is death? As humans we are so small, and our experience is so limited to this body and this existence, that all of our understanding of life and death are founded on this little slice of reality that we inhabit. So, as we look at our life and death through this drinking straw that is our world view, we convince ourselves that we know what death is; but do we? Let’s take a higher-level look at death...
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
James 2:26 ESV
Many people around the world believe that death is the end of our existence, but it is not. In fact, as believers in God and Jesus Christ there are two possible deaths, the first is the one we see from our physical perspective, through our own tiny drinking straw view of the world, and it occurs when our spirit becomes separated from our body. This is the death we see with our own eyes when a body stops breathing and begins its return to dust, but to us as Christians, we believe that although the body dies that the spirit continues on.
“And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.”
Revelation 20:13 ESV
However, there is a second death described in the book of Revelation that is much more profound, it is absolute and ends the life we once knew, and that God implanted in us. You could logically conclude that God breathed life into us, and at the end of days, if we are judged unworthy, He will inhale that breath of life back into Himself.
“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:14-15 ESV
God has the ability to give us eternal life, but He likewise has the ability to end our lives as well. In Revelation this is referred to as taking away our share in the tree of life. Eternal punishment, death, is the absolute end of life... or, as it is called in Revelation… the second death.
“and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
Revelation 22:19 ESV
Where does the idea that eternal punishment will be eternal torment vs absolute death come from? Some view Matthew 25:44-46 to mean that unworthy souls will be tormented forever by Satan in hell but can that interpretation possibly be true because Hebrews tells us that Satan will be destroyed. God is not vindictive, but he most certainly is just. Let’s read both of these passages...
“Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:44-46 ESV
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.”
Hebrews 2:14-16 ESV
So, there is a first death that we understand because we believe and witness it, and then there is a second death that once complete, and at the conclusion of judgement, will bring some to eternity in the presence of God, and others to an end forever... not torture, but nothingness; an end to their existence… a separation from God.
“The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.”
1 Corinthians 15:26-27 ESV
Let’s grasp the hem of Jesus’ garment and hold on for all we are worth. Let’s choose life through Him and avoid the eternal second death that awaits those who are judged sinful before God. We may experience the first death, but in Jesus we will never be included with those who follow Satan into the second death. Let’s worship the Son and bask in the grace of God. In Jesus Christ we are the heirs and joint heirs of eternity.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your perfect judgement, grace, and mercy. I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who suffered, died, and was raised from death that I could find redemption and forgiveness in your sight. Holy Father, never let me lose touch with the truth of His redemption, and through Him let me experience life unmeasurable in you. I praise your name Father, and lift you up in my life, that in death I might stand before you in righteousness and glory to receive life eternal by your grace. You are greater than death, you are Lord over all things, and in you life lives, and love abounds... Praised be your name always, for Holy, Holy, Holy are you God Almighty whose Son conquered death.
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."”
Matthew 25:46 ESV
Rich Forbes