He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.

In terms of our scriptural understanding this is a peculiar statement. We know the second death is eternal confinement in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. We know it is the everlasting home of the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, the whoremongers, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars.

We would expect the verse to say, "He who overcomes will not be thrown into the Lake of Fire" or "will not suffer the penalty of the second death."

A variation on this theme is as follows:

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

On such the second death has no power.

But notice:

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14,15)

Was cast into the lake of fire.

Compare:

Will not be hurt by the second death.

The second death has no power.

Was cast into the Lake of Fire.

The first two phrases are peculiar. We would expect them to say, "will not be cast into the Lake of Fire." The phrasings suggest that whether or not the victorious saints were thrown into the Lake of Fire it couldn't hurt them ("will not be hurt by the second death"; "the second death has no power or authority over them").

We have already stated that the Lake of Fire is the everlasting home of the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, the murderers, the whoremongers, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars.

Let us suggest that all of us, Christians or not, are under the authority of the Lake of Fire as long as we are fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderous, immoral, a practicer of sorcery, idolatrous, or a liar. God has spoken. Those who do such things will be hurled into the Lake of Fire. The Scripture cannot be changed.

But didn't Jesus come to change all this so whoever believes in Him can never be in danger of the Lake of Fire?

Not quite! Jesus did not come to change the unalterable Word of the Father!

Jesus came to forgive us and give us a fresh start. Then He through the Holy

Spirit goes to work to deliver us from fear and timidity, from unbelief, from practicing abominations, from the spirit of murder and hatred, from lust, from sorcery, from covetousness, from lying and treachery.

Salvation is deliverance from all that belongs in the Lake of Fire. You have to overcome these things before the second death can't harm you.

The Lake of Fire, the second death, always and forever retains authority over fear, unbelief, hatred, lust, and lying. The Word cannot be changed.

But when you are delivered from these abominable behaviors, the Lake of Fire cannot hurt you. It no longer possesses authority over you.

Now the phrases fit without having to force them like a wrong piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

So salvation is not only forgiveness but primarily deliverance from that which the Lake of Fire controls.

The question always arises: "What if I don't get the victory over all of these, will I be cast into the Lake of Fire?" The question usually (but not always) comes from someone who wishes to live the contemporary lukewarm "Christian" life without having to fear Divine judgment.

I cannot tell you what Christ will decide concerning any believer in the Day of Judgment. But I can tell you this. The Bible standard is far, far above what is being preached today. If you waste your talent it will be given to another and your home will be outer darkness. If you do not gain the victory you will not walk in the white robes of the priesthood with Jesus Christ and you stand in danger of having your name blotted from the Book of Life.