|
ESCAPE FROM THE SECOND DEATH
When the life goes out of a body we call it death. There is a “second death.” Revelation 21:8 says: “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.” Sinners will be consigned to this place of suffering because of their sins – including their rejection of Christ. They are called here the “unbelieving.” Having been resurrected from the first death and judged, they are condemned to this place for eternity. As awful as it sounds, there is no escape from this place once individuals are consigned there. But if you are reading this, there is escape. It cannot be earned by works or good deeds. It cannot be earned by going through some religious ritual. The Bible is clear on this: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast,” (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is only one person who can give eternal life which is escape from the second death. The Bible is clear on (1) who it is that can give eternal life: (2) to whom it can be given: and (3) of what it consists. Jesus, in prayer to His heavenly Father made this statement: “As thou [God] hast given him [Jesus] power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,” (John 17:2-3). Peter preached about the Lord Jesus saying, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” (Acts 4:12). No other person ever has or ever can save sinners from the second death. Many people hate the truth that the Bible says to whom eternal life can be given. Christ received authority “to give eternal life to as many” as were given to Him by His Father. No more and no less! That truth ought to humble sinners. It ought to cause them to realize that salvation is not dependent on their will, their decision, their anything. Whom Christ saves is solely dependent upon the Father. But instead of being humbled by this truth, sinners rise up in anger against God and accuse Him of being unfair. The third point is most important: “life eternal” consists in knowing the Father, “the only true God.” Again Jesus said, “...no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him,” (Matthew 11:27). You cannot get to God anymore than you can walk into the White House and introduce yourself to the President! Christ must reveal the Father to lost sinners. This is a supernatural work of Christ apart from which there is not salvation.
|
