Part 7
The Second Death
But what about those who have seared their conscience and given
over their will to rebellion, hatred and sin? Those who have known
the truth of God, but have willfully rejected His forgiveness and
love, will be burned up in a lake of fire. "Then Death and Hades
were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And
anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake
of fire" (Revelation 20:1415).
Here is the second deaththe eternal death penalty from which there
is no resurrection. Those who have sealed their mind never to
repent or surrender to Jesus Christ, will be totally burned up.
They will suffer the torment of knowing their fate before their
final execution. But a loving and merciful God will put them out of
their misery for all eternity.
Then, the whole earth will be purified by fire! "But the day of the
Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will
pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with
fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be
burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved,
what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and
godliness" (2 Peter 3:10).
Once the earth is purified by Gehenna fire, the lake of fire,
everyone will either be a glorified member of Gods family (as
described in 1 Corinthians 15, the "resurrection chapter")or they
will be dead for all eternity, burned up in the lake of fire. The
Devil and his angels (as immortal spirits) will be tormented
forever. That is their fate, not humanitys!
God is a God of absolute justice and absolute love. He will give
everyone the opportunity for salvation in His time and in His way.
The Devil has deceived the whole world and has blinded the vast
majority of human beings on earth today. But God has a plan of
salvation, even for the wicked sinners of Sodom. They will have
learned an excruciatingly painful lesson and will have their chance
in the White Throne Judgment. And those who have been the innocent
victims of injustice and genocide will be healed, restored and
blessed with their first opportunity for salvation!
Those who are called, faithful and chosen in this age, will rule
with Christ in His Kingdom. They will help teach, serve and rule
the earth with Christ for 1,000 years. After this "Millenium" comes
the resurrection to judgment. Then, finally, the real hell firethe
lake of firewill consume the incorrigibly wicked.
Until then, we must heed the Apostle Peters warning, "Therefore,
since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons
ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and
hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the
heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will
melt with fervent heat?" (2 Peter 3:11)
Yes, we must be spiritually vigilant and faithful, looking forward
to a wonderful future, a hope-filled future you have heard about on
the Tomorrows World telecast and in the pages of this magazine.
Peter continues, "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look
for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to
be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" (2 Peter
3:13). Indeed, we can rejoice with the apostle Peter that there is
hope for all of us through our Savior Jesus Christ.
