He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death. [Revelation 2:11 NASB]
What do you think "second death" means? The phrase is used four times in Revelation. Some think it means a time in distant eternity when death is thrown into a fiery lake. That could be true but I wonder if the second death is an illusion to the time when each of us die?
Paul and Peter both use the phrase "dead in your sins" when they speak of the time preceding spiritual birth. Could it be that the first death is the state of all humans when they are born? If that is the case then the second death simply refers to the time when a person dies and is no more.
I am glad that the verse goes on to speak of those who are not hurt by the second death. Those who have been born of the Spirit continue to believe until the time of their death. They are not hurt by the second death because they have something that transcends earthly constraints.
Give us ears to hear Lord that we might be witnesses to those who need you.
... this devotion is part of a series from the book of Revelation
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