Judgment of the Beasts
Judgment of the Beasts
When teaching on the book of Revelation, I am at pains to point out the nature of the visions. They are signs seen by John and recorded by him for us. The events John sees in visions are symbolic and representative of truths taught in the gospel. This is true of the vision of the second death and first resurrection.
Rev 19:20, Rev 20:10-15, Rev 21:7-8,
These passages tell of how the Beast, the False prophet, the Dragon, and all who follow them, are thrown in turn into the lake of burning sulphur, "the second death".
The dead, great and small, will all be raised. Death and Hades (the temporary abode of the dead) will be destroyed. This should be cause for joy! But for many it will be bitter irony: they will be released from death's power, only to follow death into its own destruction. Surely the whole purpose of being raised from the dead should be to die no more, not to die a second death unimaginably worse!
The vision of the second death is frightening and awful. It's impossible to imagine anything worse. Yet this lake of fire and brimstone is only a sign or symbol of the real Hell. The real hell will be even worse than that —very far worse.
The answer to "the second death" is "the first resurrection" (Rev 20:6). This is the new birth which takes place in baptism. Baptism symbolises the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In baptism one enters into Christ's death, crucifies and buries the old person, and is raised up a new person (Romans 6). One must enter baptism with faith in Christ and repentance from sin. Faith must involve a loyalty and commitment to Christ so complete that one is ready, if need be, to sacrifice one's very life for him. That's what it takes "to live and reign with Christ".
Think about the remorse and regret you will feel, if you have failed to secure yourself the everlasting life, and instead you must suffer the terrible and everlasting second death. What awaits you when death is conquered? Eternal death and misery, or eternal life and joy?
