Making the journey on to the second death

We left off last week having gone through death’s doors and arriving at the bottom of the pit of Hell. Before we move on, it needs to be said that death is the great separator. In Revelation 20, the Bible teaches that when a person who has rejected Christ’s gift of eternal life dies, death is the repository of their body while Hell is that of their soul. This is taught similarly in Genesis 35 upon the death of Rachel.

Returning then to our journey after death, we fast forward over 1,000 years and find you, our subject, suffering in the bowels of Hell, so much so that you feel as though you have been there an eternity, yet there is no end in sight. Suddenly a new sensation comes over you as all Hell begins to tremor and shake, and now you forget about your torment as terror comes over you and you begin to scream. With that comes an immense explosion, and you find yourself standing amidst that sea of humanity you have been with for the last 1,000 years, but you notice that there is no ground — you are standing on nothing but thin air. And then you notice … but oh, how this be? That dead corpse you lived and breathed in during your short life on Earth has been given back to you, exactly as it was when you died.

Let me ask, how did you choose to die? Remember, we asked this before we started our journey. While it is certain that you will not die as you choose, you will be given back that rotting corpse for your journey on to the second death. All the pain that racked your body leading up to death will rejoin you as you stand naked before your judge. So, how did you choose to die?

Then, you look up in front of you and there stands an immense throne, the purest white in color. To one side of this throne you see angels seated behind a large table and books before them from which they will read. You see also another book, apart from all the rest, open on a simple lectern with another angel standing there prepared to read. On the other side of the throne you notice a multitude of people seated in a galley marked “Witnesses.”

Then in comes the Judge of all the Universe and a shout rings out, “All bow!” With this your knees buckle beneath you, and as you bow before the Judge, your tongue lets loose.

“Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Philippians chapter 2 says that every tongue will confess this on this day. As the Judge takes his throne and all once again rise, you notice that, one by one, everyone who was in Hell steps up, a book is opened and read, witnesses are called, that last book is searched, judgment is pronounced and with the pronouncement the defendant leaves, sort of hurtled through the air, toward a strange fiery glow on the horizon. You cannot make out the words, but apprehension grips your soul as you gradually move forward for your turn.

Finally, your turn has arrived and an angel stands and begins reading your book. Every last wicked thing you had ever done is read before all; there are no secrets here. Witnesses are called and testify that you were told of eternal salvation and the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ, but you rejected their pleadings. Finally, the last angel searches that last book and says, “No, my Lord, their name is not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

Slowly you turn your gaze to the one who sits on the throne and look deeply into his eyes, searching for mercy, but you find none. Instead, his words ring in your ears, “Depart from me.”

And with this, you, like the others, find yourself hurtling through space, landing in what Revelation 20 calls “The Lake of Fire.” This, my friend, is the second death. Unlike the first, however, where your soul and body separate, in this death you will remain separated from your Creator for the rest of eternity in the torments of everlasting fire.

My friend, let me remind you that this doesn’t have to be your fate, but let me also say that you have only this short time here on earth to change the course you’re on.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229 or ron.hamman@gci.net.