If there is to be a second, it implies that there has been a first. Not only so, but the second must be like or similar to the first, or it would not be a second. Neither an apple nor a pear would be a second peach; so, the second death, like the first, must be a cessation of life or being. The second death is spoken of with reference to humanity; and, since the first death – Adamic – passed upon all men, it follows as a matter of fact, that the first death must be abrogated or set aside in some manner, before the second death would be possible.

Death is the wages of sin. The first – the wages of Adam’s sin – passed upon all men. He, having forfeited his right to life, began to have the penalty executed on him – “Dying thou shalt die.” He could not, of course, give to his posterity that right to, and perfection of, life which he no longer possessed. Hence all partake of the depravity both mental and physical, and all partake of the penalty – Dying we die. In fact, we are born in a dying condition, or under the rule or dominion of death. This universal death, we call Adamic death, because our father Adam was the direct cause or source of it.

Were it not that this Adamic death is to be destroyed by Christ, there never could be a second death. Life once forfeited, could not be forfeited a second time, unless it first be restored. This restoration to life is called a resurrection (Greek. anastasis – a setting up again – rebuilding – restoring.) Jesus obtained of Justice the right to restore mankind to life, by giving himself a ransom for them – a full satisfaction to the claims of justice. He bought us with his own precious blood. (1 Pet 1:19; and 1 Cor 6:20). Hence, it is that he can say, “O, death, I will be thy plagues; O, grave, I will be thy destruction.” (Hos 13:14). He presently, when united with his Bride, will begin the work of destroying death by raising all mankind out of it – “There shall be a resurrection both of the just and the unjust.”

Some are confused and are of the belief that the unjust are simply revived from death so as to be condemned. This is not what is stated, it clearly states that there is to be a resurrection, viz.,  a setting up again, rebuilding or restoring of both the just (those presently justified through faith, belief), AND the unjust (those not previously justified due to a lack of faith or belief). The scriptures inform us that this latter class will be given the opportunity to believe what they may have never been given the chance to know, and or who having heard howbeit being misled through the teachings and errors of men were turned aside from belief. But it is God’s will that all men (this includes these) shall be saved (from the Adamic curse), and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth.

In the resurrected condition in the Millennial Age, each member of the human family will have an individual trial, testing his willingness to be obedient to the will of God. And the hope is, that the large majority will “choose life and live,” being helped in their choice by the bitter experiences of the present Adamic death. Nevertheless, Scripture reveals the fact, that in that age some will sin against light, knowledge, and liberty, and die the second death – the wages of their own, and not of Adam’s sin.

The Lord shows the above differences between the first and second death, and the present and future age, in Jer 31:29, 30.

“In those days (the age to come, the millenial age) they shall say no more, ‘The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.  But every one shall die for his own iniquity: Every man that eats the sour grape (sins), his teeth shall be set on edge” – “The soul that sins, it shall die.” (Ezek 18:2, 4). This is a pointed Scripture; it shows that in the coming age the parents’ sins will not be upon the children; consequently, it describes a time when the first death has been abolished. But it tells of a second death too, for it informs us that then, after release from death once – then, the soul (person) that sins, it shall die. This could be no other than the second death.

The first, or Adamic death is an extinction of being, but is called a sleep, because God had foreseen and fore arranged that in due time all should be made alive (awaken). hence, while really dead, and returned to the dust from whence they came, yet not so in God’s sight – they “all live unto him.” From the standpoint of his plan and power, they shall all awake again to life. They only sleep until the great Millennial day. But the “second death” is not a sleep, because there is no hope of a resurrection from it. Nowhere in Scripture is there any promise of release from it – “There is a sin unto death (a sin against light and opportunity). I do not say that you shall pray for it.” (1 John 5:16).

The first, or Adamic death, was accompanied by pain and distress in dying; but all pain and consciousness ceased when the death was complete. So, with the second death, it doubtless will be accompanied by a certain amount of agony, but the agony will be at an end when the second death is accomplished. Because there will be no resurrection from it, because the second death will never be destroyed, therefore it is called ever-lasting punishment. The punishment or wages is death, and the second death is everlasting, because it will never be undone.

Does someone say – death shall be destroyed – there shall be no more death?

We ask which death will be destroyed? – is it not the first; the death that passed upon all for Adam’s sin?

Yes, and its destruction was often foretold, and the ransom to be given for the Adamic transgression was often typified in the sacrifices of the four thousand years previous to Jesus’ sacrifice – the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Having taken away their sin by paying their penalty for them, he obtained the right to take away that death which was on the whole world as the punishment of Adam’s sin.

But Scripture is silent regarding any ransom from the second death. On the contrary, it says of those who sin willfully against full light and truth, that “there remains no more a sacrifice for sins [We would no longer have any of the benefits arising from the sacrifice]. Henceforth such are exposed to the full penalty of their own sin – the second death. (Heb 10:26, 27).

But by taking a full Scriptural view of the subject, we may readily convince ourselves that the second death will never be destroyed. Call to mind the fact that a Savior from the Adamic sin and Adamic death was necessary, for “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” of sins. (Heb 9:22). Call to mind also, the Scriptural teaching that every sinner requires a Savior, and you will see that if a thousand persons sinned thus individually (having been freed from the first death), it would require the death of a thousand redeemers to set them free from the second death – one for each.

This was God’s reason for condemning the entire race in the person of ONE man, viz. – that they should require only ONE redeemer; and only one redeemer was provided. The race which was condemned to death because of one man’s sin, could, with justice, be released from death through the one Redeemer. (Rom 5:18,19). Witness herein the economy which pervades all of the Divine plan. Truly the LORD condemned all in one that he might have mercy upon all through another one. “Since through a man there is death, through a man (Jesus) also there is a resurrection of the dead.” (1 Cor 15:21).

Continued with next post.