But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. Revelation 21:8 WEB
These are the words of God as recorded by John of Patmos concerning the fate of unrepentant sinners in eternity. They comprise a portion of John’s description of a New Heaven and a New Earth. At the end of the age with God’s final judgment, the faithful receive their eternal reward becoming joint heirs in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, those who die without repenting from their sin receive the second death, eternal separation from God.
In the revelation John received of the end of this age, he witnessed God receiving the faithful into his heavenly kingdom. For these blessed believers, scripture records in Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away. WEB”
For those who continue in sin, John records the voice of God promising the second death. Jesus called mankind to repentance not perpetual sin. Those who reject God’s grace in Christ refuse his forgiveness. Ultimately, anyone who rejects Jesus’ appeal to repentance by continuing in sin also dies under the judgment of sin. We read in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV” When we die in our sin, without faith in Christ, without repentance in obedience to the will of God, there is judgment and the second death.
Don’t Be Deceived
Jesus taught in 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ WEB”
The Apostle Paul makes clear that unrepentant sinners should expect hell as their reward. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom. WEB”
Paul teaches the forgiveness of God in his very next statement. We read in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “Some of you were such, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God. WEB” Scripture makes clear, repentant sinners, those who turn from sin in obedience to God, receive eternal life. Those who continue in sin die a second death.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for calling the lost like me to repentance. Thank you for your patience and grace. Create in me a clean heart. Lead me into perfect obedience to your word and will. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: God’s Love
