“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

There is an old statement that has been around for a long time: Only two things are guaranteed in life: taxes and death. Very few people would disagree with that statement. Everyone knows that death is coming for them.

With knowing that death is on the way, most people want to live life to the fullest. They want to have a good time…eat, drink and be merry. What they don’t want to believe in is the fact of a second death.

Physically every person will die. Depending on how they live their lives will then depend on if they will die a second time. This second death is the spiritual death, a separation from God for eternity.

Many people will agree with parts of the list that John gave. Very few have a problem believing that a murderer or someone who is vile will end up in hell. Yet, many do not agree with the others listed.

The cowardly, are those who back down from being God’s witness on this earth. The unbelieving are those who really do not put their trust in the salvation of Jesus, they may be trying to earn their salvation. The sexually immoral, are those who deviate from God’s marriage plan for sex. Practicing magic arts is trying to do what God wants done without going through God and using only what the devil has set up. Idolaters are those who give their lives and energy for anything but God. Liars are those who don’t tell the truth, even the little white lies.

Many of these people in this list may be decent, “good” people in the eyes of the world. They may be hardworking, loving, caring and clean-cut people. The world says they do not deserve hell, but God says He will cast them out. They are not serving God, but themselves and the devil.

In the end these people will be cast into the burning lake of sulfur. It will be torture and punishment for eternity. This is the second death with no chance of end.

Make sure that you are following God with all of your heart. Trust fully in the salvation Jesus provides. Turn from all sin. Let others know of this second death. Be God’s witness. Do not allow yourself or others to be given the second death.

I pray today that God will strengthen you to be His servant; that God will help you to turn from all sinful ways; that you will be God’s witness turning others from sin; and that God will find you faithful to Jesus.