The Second Death

Rev 20: 12-15 KJV

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (the grave) delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (A final spiritual and physical death.)

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 21: 8 JKV

But the fearful, the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcereres, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (A final spiritual and physical death.)

There are several interesting things being said in these verses.

First off, where to the dead come from who are to be judged?

According to the God's Word, death, hell or correctly translated the grave, and the sea.

What happens to death and hell?

They're cast into the lake of fire, along with everyone whose name is not found in the book of life after they've been judged.

What is the second death?

It is a final spiritual and physical death.

2 Thessalonians 1: 8 -9 KJV

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Can you imagine anything more horrible than to wake up from death. Be judged by God. See His glory and Jesus, Know that the choices they made in life lead them here. Then to be sentenced to the lake of fire and suffer a final physical and spiritual death? No wonder there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Whoa! Wait a minute...we're taught that they suffer all eternity. Do they?

Rev. 20: 10 JKV

And the devil that decieved them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and forever.

Notice who WILL be suffering day and night for all eternity. The devil. The beast and the false prophet. Nothing is said about anyone else.

Yes, very aware of what tradition teaches. But the Bible does exhort us to study the word of God ourselves, not just absorb what is taught or been passed down via theology.

Study these verses yourselves. Do word studies on them. Find out what they really say. And don't be afraid if they rock your theology. God wants us informed what He really means. Not tradition. 








 

At the Cross, the dutiful son

As Westerners, we miss a very important event at the cross. Mary, Jesus mother, was there. The Bible never says what happened to Joseph, but we can assume he was dead. As the first born son, it was Jesus responsibility to care for his aging mother. Everyone in the Eastern cultures know this.

So, here he is, dying, and Jesus makes sure his mother is taken of by one of his disciples. What a beautiful and touching image of him making sure she would be loved and cared for, and not tossed out in the streets penniless.

A very significant event. An important one. Don't over look it!

Greater

Greater is the One living inside of me, than he who is living in the world.

A very powerful phrase in the currently popular song, Greater by Mercy Me.

God has already won the battle. The devil lost.

Too bad most Christians don't live like it. 

God's Not Dead - movie review

A college professor demand's all his students write on a piece of paper, God is dead. Sign it and turn it in. One student, a Christian, can't bring himself to do that. What happens is that he is given the chance to prove his case and the class gets to decide - despite what this might and does cost him.

A wonderfully written and pretty well acted film that speaks to all of us who have been in this position. And asks the question, if it were you, would you stand up for what you believed in?

Great guest appearance by the Newsboys who sing, of course, God's Not Dead.

The Watchers - Revelation, a Review

Recently I watched the Christian Science Fiction film, The Watchers, Revelation. It follows the adventures of two families as they encounter 'Aliens', the government's knowledge of these beings, and the final outcome.

Spoiler alert. I do talk about some of the scenes in the film. 

My reaction was, great, here's another film depicting aliens as demons. Sure enough, that was exactly what happened. The only interesting twists was that the demons were supposedly 'helping' mankind by supplying information about advanced technology. It was a repeat of what happened in Genesis and the sons of god who mated with human females. Only problem was, the demons who caused that particular disaster where thrown into a special place in hell where they'll stay until the final judgement. One assumes it was to keep them from doing the same thing again.

Second, bad acting. The only decent characters was the 'leader' of the aliens and the little girl.

There were some good moments. The explanation of supposed UFO's with their erratic movements that defy physics. The idea it could be angels flying makes much more sense rather than advances in technology we don't yet understand.

True creative inspiration comes from God. The little girl's creation of a  holographic computer monitor for a science fair project.

Great representation that science compliments  God's word, not destroys it nor replaces it.

Solid family values. The relationship between the uncle and his nephew is shown to be warm, despite a long separation and the mother being protect of of her child.

Government knowledge of these beings. Believe it or not, the US Gov has a contingency plan for alien invasion. One wonders how much our leaders actually know about the spiritual side and are mistaking them for X-tees. (They don't have one for a potential ice age, which is much more likely to happen since is has in the recent past. 1400-1500 to 1850. It was called the little ice age.)

Nice examples of angels, both fallen and those still serving God. The sword fight over the little girl with flaming swords is probably one of the best scenes. 

Over all reaction, good for one viewing only. Not something I'd make of a point of watching very often. Happy I only paid $5 for it. 

Citizens and the Book of Life

Phillipians 4:8

With other fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

According to Bible Manners and Customs it was custom, sort of followed in today's society, to have registries with the names of their citizens, both those born there and those adopted. Heaven is shown the same way. There is a book with the names of God's children in it. It's referenced in Revelations as well during the final judgement called the Book of Life.

In the latter, those whose names are not found, are thrown into a lake of fire, but only after God has judged them according to their deeds. What type of judgement is not really clear. However, according to the ancient customs when one lost their citizenship, they're name is erased from the registry. Makes one wonder if they will be forgotten for all time by those who survive and dwell with God.

P. 463

God shall supply

But my god shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

A verse to live by, even in these still unsteady times.