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Chosen no: R-381 a, from: 1882 Year. |
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The Second Death.
If there is to be a second, it
implies that there has been a first. Not only so, but the second must be like
or similar to the first, or it would not be a second. Neither an apple nor a
pear would be a second peach; so the second death, like the first, must be a
cessation of life or being. The second death is spoken of with reference to
humanity; and, since the first death--Adamic--passed upon all men, it follows
as a matter of fact, that the first death must be abrogated or set aside in
some manner, before the second death would be possible.
Death is the wages of sin. The first--the
wages of Adam's sin-- passed upon all men. He, having forfeited his right to
life, began to have the penalty executed on him-- "Dying thou shalt
die." He could not, of course, give to his posterity that right to, and
perfection of, life which he no longer possessed. Hence all partake of the
depravity both mental and physical, and all partake of the penalty--Dying we
die. In fact, we are born in a dying condition, or under the rule or dominion
of death. This universal death, we call Adamic death, because our father Adam
was the direct cause or source of it.
Were it not that this Adamic death
is to be destroyed by Christ, there never could be a second death. Life once
forfeited, could not be forfeited a second time, unless it first be restored. This
restoration to life is called a resurrection (Gr. anastasis-- a setting up
again--rebuilding-- restoring.) Jesus obtained of Justice the right to restore
mankind to life, by giving himself a ransom for them --a full satisfaction to
the claims of justice. He bought us with his own precious blood. (1 Pet. 1:19; and 1 Cor. 6:20.) Hence it is
that he can say, "O, death, I will be thy plagues; O, grave, I will be thy
destruction." (Hos. 13:14.) He presently, when united
with his Bride, will begin the work of destroying death by raising all mankind out
of it--"There shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust."
In the resurrected condition in the
Millennial Age, each member of the human family will have an individual trial,
testing his willingness to be obedient to the will of God. And the hope is,
that the large majority will "choose life and live," being helped in
their choice by the bitter experiences of the present Adamic death. Nevertheless,
Scripture reveals the fact, that in that age some will sin against light,
knowledge, and liberty, and die the second death--the wages of their own, and
not of Adam's sin.
The Lord shows the above differences
between the first and second death, and the present and future age, in Jer. 31:29,30. "In those days they shall say no more, 'The
fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. [R381 : page 4] But every one shall die for his own
iniquity: Every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on
edge"--"The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezek.
18:2,4.) This is a pointed Scripture; it shows that in the coming age the
parents' sins will not be upon the children; consequently it describes a time
when the first death has been abolished. But it tells of a second death too,
for it informs us that then, after release from death once--then, the soul
(person) that sinneth, it shall die. This could be no other than the second
death.
The first, or Adamic death is an
extinction of being, but is called a sleep, because God had foreseen and
forearranged that in due time all should be made alive. hence, while really
dead, and returned to the dust from whence they came, yet not so in God's sight--they
"all live unto him." From the standpoint of his plan and power, they
shall all awake again to life. They only sleep until the great Millennial day.
But the "second death" is not a sleep, because there is no hope of a
resurrection from it. Nowhere in Scripture is there any promise of release from
it --"There is a sin unto death (a sin against light and opportunity). I
do not say that ye shall pray for it." (1 John 5:16.)
The first, or Adamic death, was
accompanied by pain and distress in dying; but all pain and consciousness
ceased when the death was complete. So with the second death, it doubtless will
be accompanied by a certain amount of agony, but the agony will be at an end
when the second death is accomplished. Because there will be no resurrection
from it, because the second death will never be destroyed, therefore it is
called ever-lasting punishment. The punishment or wages is death, and the
second death is everlasting, because it will never be undone.
Does some one say--death shall be destroyed--there
shall be no more death? We ask which death will be destroyed?--is it not the first;
the death that passed upon all for Adam's sin? Yes, and its destruction was
often foretold, and the ransom to be given for the Adamic transgression was
often typified in the sacrifices of the four thousand years previous to Jesus'
sacrifice--the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Having taken
away their sin by paying their penalty for them, he obtained the right to take
away that death which was on the whole world as the punishment of Adam's sin. But
Scripture is silent regarding any ransom from the second death. On the
contrary, it says of those who sin willfully against full light and truth, that
"there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins [We would no longer have any
of the benefits arising from the sacrifice]. Henceforth such are exposed to the
full penalty of their own sin--the second death. (Heb.
10:26,27.)
But by taking a full Scriptural view
of the subject, we may readily convince ourselves that the second death will
never be destroyed. Call to mind the fact that a Saviour from the Adamic sin
and Adamic death was necessary, for "Without the shedding of blood there
is no remission" of sins. (Heb. 9:22.) Call to mind
also, the Scriptural teaching that every sinner requires a Saviour, and you
will see that if a thousand persons sinned thus individually, it would require
the death of a thousand redeemers to set them free from the second death--one
for each. This was God's reason for condemning the entire race in the person of
one man, viz.--that they should require only one redeemer; and only one
redeemer was provided. The race which was condemned to death because of one
man's sin, could, with justice, be released from death through the one Redeemer.
(Rom. 5:18,19.) Witness herein the economy which pervades
all of the Divine plans. Truly he condemned all in one that he might have mercy
upon all through another one. "Since through a man there is death, through
a man (Jesus) also there is a resurrection of the dead." (1
Cor. 15:21.)
Some, overlooking the fact that God
is just as well as loving, have arranged a theory for the ultimate eternal
salvation of all men; and, anxious to hold their theory, they are in danger of
neglecting the Scriptural doctrine of a second or everlasting death, for which
there is no sacrifice and no promised redemption. These tell us that the
"second death" is a symbol, and is used in speaking of symbols;
hence, it cannot be understood as applying to mankind, but to systems.
It is a matter of regret, that a
desire to uphold a theory should lead any one to take this ground, for it is not
true. Nowhere is second death applied to symbols or systems. We demand a
Scripture for such an assertion. As a proof of its use relative to systems, we
are referred to Rev. 20:14,15; and 21:8. We recognize the
fact that this book is full of symbols and word-pictures, but its pictures are
full of meaning; and it abounds also in literal statements. This is no excuse,
however, for ignoring its teachings as meaningless. If systems are mentioned as
dying a second death, it would prove that such systems had once existed, died,
revived, and then died again. Many false systems now exist, which must die with
this evil age. But will such evil systems come to life again, and flourish
during the Millennial reign of Christ, and need at some future time to die a second
death? Nay, verily. But all should notice that the expression "second
death" or any equivalent expression is never used in the Bible with
reference to systems.
There is not the semblance of a system
connected with the account of the second death in the above references. One
reads: "And death and hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the
second death, even the lake of fire. And if any was not found written in the
book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire."
Here the words "lake of
fire," are used symbolically, as elsewhere, to represent destruction; but
no systems are mentioned as being destroyed here. The scene is laid in the
Millennial Age, when, under the reign of Jesus and his Bride, Satan is bound,
and the White Throne (reign of righteousness) is established in the earth. Then
the dead, small and great, being brought forth from death and hades, are judged
or tried by the opened books--the Scriptures. Then a record will be made of all
worthy of ever-lasting life as God's human sons--called a book, or record of
life, or of those worthy of life.
[A book or record of life is made
during this Gospel Age also--but a different one entirely. The one now being
made is of those accounted worthy of the new nature--to be changed from human
to divine beings. Hence we see that there are two books of life--one for the
overcomers of this age--new divine creatures, and "another" book of
life for those who are counted worthy in the next age.]
As the work of raising mankind out
of the Adamic death and the tomb progresses--they (death, and hades--the grave)
are said to be destroyed or "plagued," or cast into a lake of
fire--cast into destruction. [R382 : page 4] When the
last one has been delivered from the power of Adamic death and the tomb, then
the lake of fire [the judgment] will have destroyed death. But while the
judgment of God (symbolized by fire) will thus destroy the Adamic death, it
will also be the agency for destroying all men unworthy of life. And thus it is
that it is to them the second death, as we read--This is the second death, even
the lake of fire. And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was
cast into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:14,15. Rev. version.)
In the succeeding chapterwe have a
pen-picture of the Millennial Age, in which the church and her Head--
Jesus--are in glory, and the throne or kingdom of God
is established among men. Through this glorified church, God dwells with men,
and the Millennial Age of blessing progresses. During that age the former
things (sorrow, pain, and death as results of Adamic sin) pass away, and death
(Adamic) shall be no more. (Verse 4.) This is accomplished by him that sits in
the throne--the Christ, head and body; hence it cannot in any sense belong to
this age, when we pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on
earth." It must belong to the coming age, when the words of the Master
will be fulfilled: "Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Speaking of those of that Millennial
Age who overcome, or are found worthy of life, we read that they shall be God's
sons--earthly sons, as Adam before he sinned was an earthly son. (Luke 3:38; and 1 Cor. 15:47,48.) Then,
speaking of the class found unworthy of life in the close of the Millennium,
after having enjoyed all its privileges and favors, we read --"The
fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, fornicators, and sorcerers, and
idolaters, and all liars --their part shall be in the lake that burneth with
fire and brimstone; which is the second death." The judgments of God which
shall devour these, are here, as elsewhere, represented by the two most
destructive agencies known. (Fire is everywhere a figure of destruction, and
burning brimstone is the most deadly agency known. It destroys every form of
life.) This is the second death, because as we were just informed (verse 4) the
general death-- Adamic--was no more--it had been completely destroyed by taking
out of it the entire race.
Who can object to this decree of
Justice, that all who will not come into harmony with the God of love and his
loving plans when full knowledge and ability are possessed, should be cut off
from life--die for their own sins--the second death. God will have a clean,
sinless universe, all harmonious, all perfect; and to accomplish this he must
either coerce men, or destroy those who would require coercion. He tells us
that the latter is his plan, and it becomes us to assent to it. Does some one
say that God's mercy endureth forever, and he will raise men from the second
death, and give them further opportunity? We answer that if sin is willfully
and persistently pursued regardless of knowledge, regardless of ability to do
right, regardless of punishments, it would be useless to repeat the same
operation. Besides this, we have shown that a ransom price and redeemer would
be necessary for each sinner, and God reveals no such plan in his Word. Is it
best to attempt to be wise above what is written? Does not every Scripture
bearing on the subject teach that Christ and his Bride will reign a thousand
years, and that in that thousand years all evil and every enemy of righteousness
shall be destroyed --even death [Adamic] the great enemy? Then the entire earth
and its nations--all whose names are in the second book of life (the others
being destroyed by the second death) will be delivered up to God, even the
Father. 1 Cor. 15:28; and Rev. 20:4.
Though Lazarus and various others who were brought to life, died again, theirs
was not a second death, because they were never fully brought from under the
dominion of the first, or Adamic death. They were merely aroused for a time from
the unconsciousness of death, to a small measure of life, soon to relapse again
to sleep until the morning when Adamic death shall be swallowed up in victory.
W.T. R-381 a : page 3 – 1882 r.