Page 27 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2010

“…MANY OF THOSE WHO SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH SHALL AWAKE, 27
SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, SOME TO SHAME AND EVERLASTING ABHORRENCE…” Dan. 12:2

The second death, just like the first death, does not end their misery. The soul and spirit return to a place
of torment, this time worse than the first because their new state of agony will be according to their
works.

“AND I SAW THE DEAD,
SMALL AND GREAT, STANDING BEFORE GOD…
AND THE DEAD WERE JUDGED ACCORDING TO

THEIR WORKS…AND THEY WERE JUDGED,
EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS…
THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH.” Rev. 20:12-14

“…AND THE SMOKE OF THEIR TORMENT ASCENDS
FOREVER AND EVER; AND THEY HAVE NO REST
DAY OR NIGHT…” Rev. 14:11

“…CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE… “THE SECOND DEATH”
AND THEY WILL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT
FOREVER AND EVER…” Rev. 20:10
“…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.”
Rev. 21:8

There is an old gospel riddle that says,
“IF YOU ARE BORN TWICE, YOU WILL ONLY DIE ONCE,
BUT IF YOU ARE ONLY BORN ONCE, YOU MUST DIE TWICE.”

This is what that riddle means: The Christian is born twice, once physically and a second time spiritually
for “Unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God…you must be
born again” (see Jn. 3:5-7). However, the non-Christian is born only once, (physically) and having no
spiritual relationship with God through Jesus Christ, must therefore die twice. This is why the Scriptures
keep speaking of “the second death.” Entrance into heaven comes only through a proper relationship
with Jesus Christ, all others face Hell, first for a season, and then for eternity in the Lake of Fire which is
the second death.

“…AS THE FATHER RAISES THE DEAD AND GIVES LIFE TO THEM, EVEN SO THE SON GIVES LIFE TO
WHOM HE WILL… THE FATHER HAS COMMITTED ALL JUDGMENT TO THE SON….MOST ASSUREDLY,
I SAY UNTO YOU, HE WHO HEARS MY WORD AND BELIEVES IN HIM WHO SENT ME HAS EVERLASTING

LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME INTO JUDGMENT, BUT HAS PASSED FROM DEATH INTO LIFE.”
John 5:21-24

It is a simple truth. The Christian who has a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ will be
raised as part of the first resurrection and judged by Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ. It will
be a judgment not for sins which Jesus Christ has forgiven by His shed blood, but rather a judgment
unto eternal rewards in Heaven for how the believer has lived as a Christian. He/she can be rewarded
greatly or suffer loss of those rewards and yet still be saved (See 1st Cor. 3:8-15). It is the believers works
that are being tested at this judgment.

The non-Christian who does not have a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ will be raised
from the dead as part of the second resurrection which leads only to “the second death” and eternal
punishment in the Lake of Fire. This judgment will take place at the Great White Throne Judgment just
prior to the coming of new heavens and a new earth (see Rev. 20:10-15). This is a judgment of works as a
non-believer. Without Jesus covering their sins by His blood, then their sins remain upon them and they
must be judged accordingly by Jesus in His role as the Righteous Judge. Beware, for no mercy will be
shown at this Judgment! There is no second chance to repent of sins after death!

“BEHOLD, NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME… NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.” 2 Cor.6:2

Pastor Randy Shupe