The Second Death

The list of those who merit such destruction surprises some. The cowardly? Unbelieving? Other sinners listed here are perhaps not so surprising, such as murderers. What is clear, however, is that all of these are describing not mere deeds but character attributes.

It is not those who have once fallen into these sins who are destroyed, but those whose characters have been shaped until they can rightly be called “murderers,” for they are habitually given to commit such acts and refuse to be changed.

The cowardly are among those who refuse to stand for God, allowing fear to drive them into receiving the beast’s mark on the hand. An example of the unbelieving is given in the Israelites who died in the wilderness, refusing to believe that God could bring them into the Promised Land and, therefore, were being disobedient to Him habitually. How many today refuse to believe that God can cleanse us from unrighteousness and, thus, do not take measures to overcome sin?

“Sorcerers” is an interesting term here; it means a druggist or poisoner. These are those who practice the dispensing of bogus cures, whether that be a counterfeit to God’s methods of remedying disease or a false gospel.

The world is overwhelmed today with people who are given to the sins listed, but we are not left without hope to escape condemnation. “Such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). The Spirit of God is promised to those who ask (Luke 11:13), and He will do in us a work that we cannot do for ourselves.

It is left with us to take up this gift by faith, remembering that it is not a single sin here or there but the character we form that ultimately comes under review.

Dear God, help me daily to choose You and the eternal life You freely offer us all.

For Further Study: Titus 1:2; 1 John 5:16; Psalm 34:16

Key Bible Texts

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. (Revelation 21:8 KJV)