It truly is appalling that the Divine warnings concerning wicked behavior are hidden from the understanding of Christian believers because their teachers and pastors are so willing to curry favor with them. But the fact remains: the second death always retains authority over these eight behaviors (Revelation 21:8) whether or not we are taught the truth of the Scriptures.

In the Book of Daniel we are informed that God has determined to make an end of sin. This means when the new Jerusalem descends from Heaven through the new sky and finds its eternal rest on the new earth, there will be none of the eight forbidden behaviors practiced by any member of the new Jerusalem or any member of the saved nations.

All who practice the eight behaviors, including Satan, Antichrist, the False Prophet, the rebellious angels, and people who have refused to be delivered by the Lord Jesus, will be present in the new world but incarcerated in the Lake of Fire.

In the thirteenth chapter of the Book of Matthew we are told that in the last days the Lord's messengers will remove from His Kingdom all behavior that offends God, and then all people who offend God. The idea is that if we will not surrender the behavior, then we ourselves will be cast into the Lake that burns with fire and sulfur.

How would you like to live in a new world in which there is no sin whatever?

I think sometimes that Christians believe we still will be sinners while we are in the new Jerusalem but we will be forgiven by "grace." No, this is not the case. This would mean the new world would be no different from the churches of today. And we certainly do not desire this!

All sin will be removed from the creation, not by virtue of dying and going to Heaven but by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. This work of the removal of sin, which is the spiritual fulfillment of the Jewish Day of Atonement, has begun today and I think will continue throughout the thousand-year period sometimes referred to as the Millennium. Every believer in Christ can now present himself or herself as a candidate for complete release from worldliness, lust, and self-will. It is a slow but thorough process.

If you doubt this is taking place today, I invite you to pray and ask the Lord to start you on the program of reconciliation to God through deliverance from the love of the world, from the lust and passions of the flesh and soul, and from self-will. Then cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He begins to set you free from every behavior over which the Lake of Fire retains authority.

"He who overcomes shall not be harmed by the second death."

Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6—NIV)

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Revelation 22:15—NIV)

To be continued.