What is the "second death" spoken of in Revelation 2:11? If we knew exactly Yahweh's answer to this question, much light would be thrown on many Scriptures, thus revealing some of the "deep things of Yahweh." In the semi-darkness of our knowledge (1 Cor. 13:12) we may be pardoned for seeing with a distorted vision but we are responsible for the use of every ray of light that Yahweh gives us, and despite certain Bible statements, there seems to be a strange, but very common misconception of "THE SECOND DEATH"; a misconception that is NOT SPIRITUAL, and yet POSES as Scripture among unthinking believers. It is regarded as the "SECOND BODILY DEATH," or "ANNIHILATION of BEING of the INDIVIDUAL," and the "FINAL DESTINY of the INCORRIGIBLE SINNER.
Some very zealous believers who believe in a HELL of ENDLESS TORMENT, call it the "DEATH THAT NEVER, NEVER DIES," and others, equally zealous, who believe in ENDLESS DEATH, call the "Death from which there is NO RESURRECTION." It seems needless to assure Bible students that NO SCRIPTURE gives any REAL support to either of these "traditions of men" (Mark 7:7, 8). Let us strive to find out ALL that Yahweh says about it, asking the light of the Holy Spirit to guide us into ALL TRUTH. A wise and just man, speaking in the Spirit says: "The believer ought never to go outside of the Holy Scriptures for his enlightenment, it being certain that the Word is its OWN commentary in every particular." As all Scripture is given by inspiration of Yahweh, it consequently follows that the INTERPRETATION thereof must logically proceed from the same heavenly source. It is unlikely that the OMNISCIENT ever intended that the interpretation of any Scripture should be left to a man's judgment, or to his limited perceptions. Paul's injunction was to "compare spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Cor. 2.13) So let us take heed to these things that "the man of Yahweh may be perfected,"-2 Tim. 3:15-17.
The term "Second Death" is found in Scripture only four times. (See Rev. 2:11, 20:6, 20:14 and 21;8.) Examine them prayerfully together with all Scriptures where the "Lake of fire and brimstone" is spoken of, as Rev. 14:10, 19:20, 21:8, and lsa. 30:33. These words in the 14th, 19th. 20th, and 21st chapters of Revelation are APPLIED ALIKE TO ALL ENEMIES of Yahweh and of MAN. They state that SINFUL HUMAN BEINGS, and sinful SPIRIT BEINGS, sinful conditions, false teachers and false governments are all equally subjected to the action of THE SECOND DEATH, which is the LAKE OF FIRE. They do not say that the Lake of Fire CAUSES the second death of any person, or that any sinner loses his physical life. or any other life in the Second death. This conclusion is entirely human assumption, or man's reasoning, and lacks Bible proof.
Mayhap Yahweh has some OTHER meaning — some DEEPER meaning. Thinking believers, who search for truth, will at once notice that the only support found for this hideous doctrine which many righteous men so thoughtlessly teach is in the REVELATION, The BOOK OF SYMBOLS. Nowhere does the Bible warn man to BEWARE of the Second death, yet this seems to be a strange omission of Yahweh, if there exists such an impending DANGER to his helpless human "offspring." For four thousand years, Yahweh did not tell the world anything about a "Second death." Moses and the prophets did not declare it; the Apostles did not set it forth; the Messiah did not refer to it, or teach it, and Paul shuns any mention of it. Some people think that Paul "hints" at it in his letter to the Hebrews but the brave, out spoken Apostle never confines himself to "hints" about great truth and he emphatically states that he "shunned not to declare the WHOLE COUNSEL of Yahweh." The "whole counsel of "Yahweh" OUGHT to INCLUDE the threatenings of the Second death, if it means ANNIHILATION to man or an endless life of TORMENT for him. Such a dreadful penalty should in all justice be very PLAINLY and CLEARLY set forth so that man can avoid it.
But NO!, it is left for the SYMBOLIC revelation of Patmos to make known this phenomenon and give a MYSTIC warning against continued rebellion toward the Almighty. And strange to say, these same Revelations tell us that this symbolic Second death is a BENEFICENT agent of the Creator which actually DESTROYS man's greatest enemies, DEATH and the GRAVE, in the SAME "Lake of Fire."
Yahweh's definition of the FIRST DEATH is "To be CARNALLY MINDED" (Rom. 8:6). For example, Yahshua said "Let the (living) DEAD bury their (physically) DEAD ones" (Matt. 8:22). All were dead because of SIN in them, and Paul says "she that LIVETH in pleasure (of sin) is DEAD while she liveth" (1 Tim. 5:6). The carnally minded are dead to righteousness and Yahweh and alive unto sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth (physical) death (James 1:15). The BODY is dead because of sin (Rom. 8:10) and Gen. 2:17). "A death thou shalt die" is fulfilled. Although physically alive, they are DEAD (Eph. 2:1) just as Yahweh said. An impending death reigns over them in life, and finally consumes their bodies in the grave, but Yahweh gives to ALL CREATION the word of HOPE when He declares that the SECOND death DESTROYS DEATH (all death) and therefore all death conditions; that is, SIN and the GRAVE; for death is "swallowed up in VICTORY" and the WHOLE CREATION shall be brought into the GLORIOUS LIBERTY of the sons of Yahweh. The Second death DESTROYS the CAUSE and the EFFECT of the First death destroys it in man, and destroys it in the earth; for there shall be NEW heavens (ruling powers) and a NEW earth (worshipping people) wherein dwelleth RIGHTEOUSNESS. If dying to Yahweh is the First death, then REVERSING the process and dying unto sin might well be called a "second" death. And "he who has died (to sin) is free from sin." No man dies to sin by the burning baptism of the Holy Spirit, and of the FIRE which Yahshua came to cast into the earth. - Matt. 3:11; Luke 12:49.
Malachi 3:1,2,3 gives us a picture of the dire necessary to purify and FINISH the sons of Levi (the ecclesia), and Rev. 14.9-11 gives us a SYMBOLIC picture of the Lake of fire and brimstone, and of the class of sinners that are cast into and are to be TORMENTED in that fire. Yahshua plainly stated that "EVERYONE SHALL BE SALTED WITH FIRE" (Mark 9:49), and fire is always the destruction of something, or death of some kind. What then is destroyed in the "Lake of Fire," or what DIES in the Second death—is it SIN or the SINNER? Search beneath the surface (or dig) for His treasure (Prov 2:4). Yahshua said He came to cast FIRE in the earth, and that it was "ALREADY kindled" (Luke 12:49) Was this fire to burn up sinners, or only to purge away their DROSS, and take away all their "tin" (alloy) (I56. 1.25)? See Hebrew margin. Let us bear in mind it is SIN that Yahweh condemns and will destroy, but the Messiah came into the world to SAVE SINNERS (1 Tim. 1 15) and MAKE AN END TO SIN (Dan. 9v24, Rotherham). "He appeared to PUT AWAY SIN." etc (Heb 9:26). Does our Saviour FAIL IN HIS MISSION? (Isa. 42:1-7) The Lamb of Yahweh would not be "satisfied with the travail of his soul" (Isa. 53:11) until He taketh away the sin of the WORLD, not of the righteous, or believers only - 1 John 2;2, 4:14; Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:20; Rev. 5:13.
If everyone shall be salted, or tested and tried with FIRE (1 Cor. 3:13-15), it is plain that THUS everyone must Die to SIN, or have sin burned out of the heart in this present age, or the age that is YET TO COME. The ELECT CHURCH DlES to sin, and all dross is burned away in the refining FIRE which Yahweh speaks of in Malachi 3:2-3, during the Gospel age, for JUDGMENT begins at the house of Yahweh (1 Peter 4:17), in a refining FURNACE, for THEY ALSO are purified by fiery trials. The "Lake of fire" is a SYMBOL to signify the fiery trial or judgments of the whole world. Another picture of the Lake of fire is found in Zeph. 3:8, 9, where the final outcome of it all is plainly stated; that "ALL PEOPLES may call upon the name of Yahweh and SERVE HIM with one consent."
The unbelieving world is "cast into" (or compelled to go into the "lake of fire and brimstone" which burns out by the "GREAT TRIBULATION" (Rev. 7:14) every sin and everything adverse to Yahweh and His holy kingdom; for "when the JUDGMENTS of Yahweh are in the earth, the inhabitants will LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS."-Isa 26:9. As the WATERS of Revelation 17:15 are "Peoples and multitudes and nations," even so is the "lake of Fire and Brimstone" a FIGURE of peoples. multitudes, nations and tongues, standing in fiery judgments and burning chastisements (2 Peter 3:10-13). Notice that in verse 10 (margin R. V and Diaglott) the most ancient manuscripts DO NOT READ that "the earth and the works therein shall he burned up," but "shall be DISCOVERED" (uncovered).
Adam, the gent head, and father of the race of NATURAL man, by his disobedience, lost his unity with the Creator, and was forbidden the TREE of LIFE Thus he DIED unto Yahweh, and became alive unto sin. and "Sin reigned unto death" (Rom. 5:21; 7-5). Being cutoff from the SOURCE of LIFE, he began to die physically, and having NO LIFE within himself, he could only give to his posterity the results of sin, which was a carnal mind, bodily death and the dust of the grave. Thus sin entered into the world, because ALL DIED (to Yahweh) in Adam and physical death followed sin (Rom. 5:12) The first Death resulted in the grave, but the SECOND DEATH destroys DEATH (Rev 20:14; 1 Cor. 15:25) If we can BELIEVE that this is really TRUE, we will also see that the SECOND death UNDOES the work of the FIRST death, and if being CARNALLY MINDED (Rom 8:6) is death, then it follows that the Second Death destroys the carnal mind and all its works. The first death makes a grave, but the SECOND DEATH DESTROYS THE GRAVE (Hosea 13:14)- The grave can only be destroyed or "abolished" by EVERY human being having attained unto everlasting LIFE. As in Adam ALL died (to Yahweh). Not only made alive in the natural Adam again, but alive in the Messiah, who gives Spiritual life. or "The life that is LIFE INDEED." - I Tim. 6:19, New Version.
Adam was the head of the race for GENERATION: the Messiah is the head of the race for REGENERATION. As seeds, the two heads contain the two crops. "All that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of Yahweh, and they that HEAR shall LIVE" (John 5:25). They HEAR first and afterwards they LIVE. Adam was a SON OF YAHWEH, with all that that relationship implies; then ALL ADAM'S CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN OF YAHWEH. Children astray indeed, but children nevertheless, who must be sought and FOUND by Him who came to seek and to SAVE the lost (Luke 19:10). All are LOST in Adam, and NONE are FOUND until they are made ALIVE in the Messiah, which includes the spiritual change called REGENERATION. Restoring the natural Adamic life does NOT make any man "ALIVE IN THE MESSIAH."
Every human being is an offspring of Yahweh (Acts 17:24-31), and as such must in the great FINALITIES of the ages come into ONENESS (or harmony) with his FATHER, and to this end he must first DIE TO SIN, and give up the "husks" of the earth, before he can LIVE, unto Yahweh, and come into his Father's house, and be clothed, and in his right mind (Luke 15;16-24; Rom 6 I0-11). This ultimatum is required of ALL MEN, and will be obeyed by each "in his own order" (or band). Since the Saviour came, the Spirit has been saying to the churches "He that OVERCOMETH" and has DIED to SIN in this age, and has been "bound up in the bundle oil LIFE with Yahweh their Mighty One," CANNOT BE HURT OF THE SECOND DEATH, nor has the Lake of fire any power over him (Rev. 2.11, 20:6) WHY? Because he will have passed through the purifying furnace FIRE of Malachi 3:2, 3, and, like pure, fire-refined gold. There is nothing remaining in him to be burned away.
In other words, he who JUDGES HIMSELF in this age, and is an "overcomer," will not come into judgment with the world (John 5:24). The FIRST JUDGMENT thus brings forth (or results in) LIFE, so ALL judgment is unto VICTORY of LIFE OVER DEATH (Matt.12:20; Isa. 25:6-8) They who pass through the FIRST JUDGMENT as overcomers will come Forth in the FIRST RESURRECTION, because they have "passed from death unto life" in this age. for judgment BEGINS at the house of Yahweh. Who, then. will be judged in the LATER JUDGMENT and cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, WHICH IS THE SECOND DEATH? ALL whose names are not found written in the BOOK OF LIFE. ALL who have not part in the FIRST RESURRECTION (Rev. 20:6), and ALL who are under the power of Death in ANY FORM; for the second Death is the DEATH of DEATH; and ALL DEATH is to be swallowed up in the VICTORY OF LIFE (Isa. 25;6-8; 1 Cor. 15:54). Who dare LIMIT the FULLNESS of these declarations of Yahweh, that HE is the "SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN," and will "reconcile ALL THINGS unto Himself" - whether they be things upon the earth or things in the heavens - Col. 1:20, 1 Tim 4:10.
DEATH and the GRAVE were cast into the Lake of Fire, and Rev. 20:l4 distinctly says "THIS IS the Second Death." Let me ask any thinking believer that it Scripture means that these enemies of mankind, "DEATH and the GRAVE" are going to DIE the second time. You will say NO. Then why be inconsistent enough to insist that it means nothing but a LITERAL DEATH the SECOND TIME for MANKIND. By this Scripture, you may see at once that it is not the NUMBER of deaths that Yahweh is indicating but the KIND of death or character of the destruction. I notice that writers on this subject who freely give a literal Second Death to HUMAN sinners are SILENT about "death and the grave" going into the same punishment, although the Bible boldly declares it.
Let us not treat the word of Yahweh deceitfully, but give it a FALSE-PROPHET shall be TORMENTED in the SECOND DEATH, or Lake of fire and brimstone. Shall be TORMENTED (in this FIRE of DEATH) unto the ages of the ages (Revised Version), or until their VICTORY over man is given up, and Yahweh becomes ALL in ALL. 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:10 states that the SINNERS of the human race shall also have THEIR PART, or due and proper PORTION, or share therein, and Rev. 14:9-1 tells us what happens to them in this burning lake of torment. Rev. 9:6 tells us that "in those days MEN shall seek DEATH, and shall not find it, and DESIRE to die, and death will fly from them" (Diaglott). This is the "Sorer punishment" than death, spoken of in Heb. 10:29.
Nothing is said about man DYING the second time in this fire, or that it will destroy men's lives, and cause their second death. That interpretation is entirely "a tradition of man," and is a worthy part of the "HELL-FIRE and TORMENT" tradition which still dominates the majority of Christendom. In these Scriptures, Fire is a SYMBOL, BRIMSTONE is a SYMBOL, and DEATH ALSO is a SYMBOL, or else ALL THREE are literal. One cannot be literal and the others symbolic. Should the Second Death be construed to mean a literal fleshly, bodily death, then the Lake of Fire would have to be a literal lake, of literal, material fire, and literal fire could hardly be used to TORMENT the beast, and the false prophet, and the Devil day and night forever, and it could not consume DEATH and the GRAVE, which are CONDITIONS and not persons.
People usually read into these symbolic Scriptures more or less of their own views, or interpretations, and therefore many casual students of Revelation read chapter 21:9 as if it read, "But for the fearful (cowardly) and unbelieving, etc.. etc. THEIR PART shall be in the Lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. which is THEIR' second death." Now Revelation is a book of symbolic and spiritual meanings and NOT a strictly SURFACE record of literal material transactions, and to assume that ONE PART of a statement is symbolic (or allegorical) and the OTHER part literal, with no mystic, or hidden meaning, is treating the word of Yahweh ILLOGICALLY if not "deceitfully." Yahweh says to man. "Come let us REASON TOGETHER." which shows that He is willing and ready to "PROVE all thing," and asks us to do the same (1 Thess. 5:21). No real Bible student will acknowledge that the "lake of Fire" means a literal, material LAKE, or a literal, material FIRE, yet with a strange inconsistency they make the Second Death a literal, material DEATH. If one is a SYMBOL. the other is a SYMBOL surely, by every law of interpretation. and BOTH point to ONE spiritual REALLY. Query: What is the objective POINT in Yahweh's PURPOSE? Treading softly, let us suggest for your consideration that the Greek word "PUR," which is translated "Fire." and Yahweh's obvious usage of it, furnishes a KEY which will unlock some of the "deep things of Yahweh," and reveal some of His "hid treasures."
Our English Bibles have taken the Greek word bodily over to themselves to form the basis for English words, one of which defines the Scriptural meaning of the Greek word "PUR." It is PUR-I-FY, From the same foundation word is another word which we find Yahweh uses FREQUENTLY; it is PURGE and it expresses in a different figure, the same result that PUR-l-FY does; therefore the Second Death, being FIRE and BRIMSTONE, symbolizes PURGING and PUR-I-FYING, by the "sorer punishment" than death; being the WORLD'S punishment of fiery trials and burning chastisements, warring elements, and a worldwide spirit of "every man's hand against his brother." The burning will never cease until the cleansing work is done, for Yahweh's way of teaching obedience, and making man perfect, is through sufferings (Heb. 2:10. 5;8). Men may DESIRE to die because the suffering is so intense, but cannot escape it by death (Rev. 9:6), and they will be SAVED only "so as by FIRE" - 1 Cor. 3:15.
All Greek scholars know that the Greek word translated "LAKE," literally means "HARBOR" and figuratively, or symbolically, mean; RESTRAINT, therefore a PLACE OF RESTRAINT, and the element of Fire in the Lake means sufferings, trials, tribulations, and being brought in contact with the very NATURE OF YAHWEH. "FOR OUR MIGTHY ONE IS A CONSUMING FIRE" (Heb. 12:29). As there shall be "no more sacrifice" for those who go into the "Restraint of Fire," they will have to be purified solely by SUFFERING and "shall not go out thence until they have paid the utmost farthing" (Matt.5:26; 1&32-35; Heb. 10:26-31). Paul says, "chastisement is grievous," yet it works out in man the peaceable fruits of RIGHTEOUSNESS (Heb. 12:11). David says (Psa. 119:67-71), "Before I was AFFLICTED, that I might learn thy statutes," and Isaiah declares that when the JUDGEMENTS of Yahweh are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn RIGHTEOUSNESS (Isa. 26:9, Zeph. 3:8, 9). Isaiah 4:4 shows that filth and blood (moral uncleanness) are to be washed and PURGED AWAY by the spirit of JUDGEMENT, and by the spirit of BURNING.
The principle once seen, that Yahweh's FIRE, whether on a small scale, or a LAKE of FlRE, is to destroy SIN and DEATH, NOT MEN, THEN ALL IS PLAIN, AND MANY Scriptures are found supporting it. "Brimstone" is a well known whitening and purifying agent, and Yahweh uses it apparently as a symbol of work which must be done by extreme, or violent measures, just as Paul exhorts to deliver a desperately wicked man over to the SATAN; not to be tormented eternally, nor to be ANNIHILATED, but "for the destruction of the flesh" (carnal nature) that the SIRIT might be SAVED (1 Cor. 5:5). And delivers other obstinate ones over to the SATAN, "that they may learn not to blaspheme" (1 Tim. 1:20). So Yahweh can deliver NATIONS unto the SATAN for the destruction of the FLESH (of carnal nature), that the SPIRIT may be saved in the day of the Saviour Yahshua. Extreme cases require extreme measures of treatment.
"SIN is the STING of DEATH" (1 Cor. 15:56), and until the STING is taken out, death is still RULER over all men. Taking out the STIN makes men "ALIVE IN THE MESSIAH." A death to sin FREES FROM SIN and consequently from ALL DEATH CONDITIONS and so DEATH IS DESTROYED BY DYING T0 SIN, which is heaven's own anomaly (Rom. 6:6-7)!
When the Second Death DESTROYS DEATH, which is the LAST ENEMY (1 Cor. 15:26), and the GRAVE, which is the LAST PRlSON house, then the race of man is FREE from his enemies, and RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS is due (Acts 3:21): for ALL THINGS are RECONCILED toYahweh (Col. 1:20), and EVERY knee bows in the name of Yahshua to the honor and glory of Yahweh (Phil. 2:10, 11). The Adversary is cast out, and the people fully redeemed, for Yahweh hath "TRIUMPHED GLORIOUSLY," the "horse and his rider" (Sin and Death) "hath He thrown into the sea" (lake of Fire WHICH IS the Second Death) - Exod. 15:1; Rev. 5.13.
Human tradition says the "Last Enemy" that shall be destroyed is the LAST SINNER that dies, but Yahweh says the last enemy that shall be destroyed is DEATH and the DESTROYER OF DEATH and the GRAVE is symbolically termed "The Second Death." The grave can only be destroyed by man's RESURRECTION, and death is only destroyed by making the dead ALIVE. If ONE MAN remains in the grave after the judgment (Fair trial), then death still has the VICTORY and is not destroyed (Heb 2:14); Yahweh's triumph is not complete, and RECONCILIATION is NOT FINISHED (Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:20) (or Yahweh cannot be "ALL IN ALL" (I Cor 15:28) until DEATH is swallowed up in VICTORY. This subject is one of the "DEEP THINGS" of Yahweh, and "hard to be understood," seeing that we have become dull of hearing (Heb. 5:11); but He has promised His Spirit shall give us LIGHT if we ask for it (James 1:5). In great wisdom Yahweh has arranged many things in PAIRS, or by contrasting TWOS, and records them for our consideration. The first ones may seem to be very good, and for a time acceptable, but the second ones follow in due time, and are found to be supplementing, and PERFECTING, or else perhaps counteracting the first.
The Bible speaks many times about Yahweh's FIRST and SECOND things, and always sets forth unmistakably the tact that ALL of Yahweh's SECOND things are higher and better, and more desirable than the FIRST ones. PERFECTION is always found in the SECOND. Let us take for instance, seven of Yahweh's SECONDS with which we are all most familiar.
1) First, the "Two Covenants" (Gal. 4:24-31). The first one gendereth BONDAGE but the second one brings FREEDOM.
2) Two priesthoods, Aaronic and Melchisedec (Heb. 7-11). One was limited in duration and lacked perfection; the other a "MORE EXCELLENT" ministry, has the power of an ENDLESS LIFE.
3) Two Mysteries, one of "iniquity", and one of "righteousness" (1 Tim. 3:16).
4) A First Adam, and a Second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45). The First was the head of the natural or earth man; the Second is the Saviour from heaven, the HEAD of the heavenly or resurrected man.
5) There is FIRST a "natural body" and second a "spiritual body".
6) The First is "of the earth, earthy," the second is "our house from heaven" (2 Cor. 5.1, 2).
7) First a natural birth; physical, fleshly and very good, but "Ye must be born again," heavenly, spiritual, "from above" and infinitely better (John 3:3).
At the beginning of the world, DEATH came upon all mankind because of sin, and finally at the END of the world (or age) a "Second death" will be prepared to BURN AWAY SIN and its results (Death and the Grave) in a Lake of Fire, and so CLEANSE Yahweh's universe - Rev. 21:1-5.
The question arises, is the "Second Death the SAME KIND of death as the first, or is it a BETTER KIND, according to Yahweh's law of His OTHER first and second things?" Many persons think it is a repetition of the first death, and that its results are the same, its action is more severe, and cruel, being by FIRE; and I have heard some Christians add very sorrowfully, "And from THIS death, there is NO RESURRECTION,' but these ADDED words are not found in Scripture. The worked "second" seems to convey to many only the idea of another exactly like the one gone before, but Yahweh's Seconds are NEVER DUPLICATES, as we have seen, but are ALWAYS BETTER, higher and more powerful than the first ones, and we can declare without fear of successful contradiction, that the "Second Death" is no more like the "First Death," than the LAST ADAM is like the First Adam, or the Second birth is like the First birth. In fact the Second Death is just Yahweh's REVERSAL of the First death, and all its attendant sorrows, and his complete destruction of MAN'S ENEMIES.
Examine the record for yourself. Read and study every text where it is spoken of, asking always in faith for Yahweh's Spirit to illuminate His word, and His eye-salve to open your eyes to see his "deep things" and "hid treasures." "He that HATH AN EAR, let him hear what the SPIRIT sayeth" (Rev. 3:13, 22.)
All Bible statements prove that the First Death and the Second Death are absolutely UNLIKE; that the two are opposite and antagonistic; that the Second Death UNDOES the work of the First death, just as the Last Adam undoes the work of the First Adam. The First Adam DIED To YAHWEH and righteousness and became ALIVE UNTO SIN; the Last Adam died unto sin (Rom. 6:10) and LIVETH UNTO YAHWEH, and no "Fulfilled all righteousness." The First Adam made ALL men sinners; the Last Adam makes ALL men RIGHTEOUS (Rom. 5:18. 19). The LIVES and DEATHS of the two Adams are thus in opposition. — the LAST ANNULLING the First, and destroying his works - Rom. 5:12-21.
On the same principle, Yahweh has established the Second Death, and we may REJOICE in its results. No one will question the fact that the First death DESTROYS LIFE and makes a GRAVE; and they cannot controvert the fact that the Second Death DESTROYS DEATH and ALSO THE GRAVE. And thus "THE CURSE" is lifted (1 Cor. 15:26; Rev. 20:14, 22:3). "He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." Hallelujah!