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An Examination of Conditional Immortality (Part Two)

...he second death, the lake of fire; and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. There’s a lot packed into these two passages, so let’s break them down and look at the imagery and phrases used one by one. First, “their smoke will go up forever”. This reference points back to the destruction of the land of Edom in Isaiah 34 which uses the same phrase, and can act as an archetype of God’s everlasting judgement on something. Let’s look at the passage: Isaiah 34:9–10And the streams of Edom shall be turned into pitch, and her soil into sulphur; her land shall become burning pitch. Night and day it s...

The Author of Life Knew death For Our Sake!

...Jesus’ death and resurrection we have a new birth and are born again, just as we are born naturally into this world in blood and water, we can now be born again through Jesus who bled blood and water for us in his death. But the similarities don't end there. Baptism obviously follows on from this, as does the other sacrament of the Eucharist. The sacraments themselves are all centred around blood and water which point back to the cross which that in itself points to the forgiveness of sin and new birth. Through “the water of rebirth” we receive the “renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5) that gives new life, and, as Peter says, “as an appeal to...

Kirk Cameron And The Biblical Case For Annihilationism

...he second death (Rev. 20:14–15). death, by definition, is the loss of life — not life in another mode. Hence why it is “second”: the first being physical death from the body, the second being spiritual death from existence. Fire, in biblical imagery, does not preserve what it judges. It consumes chaff (Matt. 3:12), destroys the weeds (Matt. 13:40), and leaves nothing remaining. The only exception to this is when God’s fire is refining and purifying things, which involves burning up the bad (sin) and leaving behind the good (things built on Christ), as both Malachi and Paul highlight (Malachi 3:2–3; 1 Corinthians 3:11–15). These verses are wher...

Before The Pumpkins: Faith In The Flames

...point of death would mean conquering the Second death (i.e. the Lake of Fire): Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death. (Rev 2: 10–11) When he was condemned to death, while tied to a stake in a funeral pile, Polycarp prayed and thanked God that he was counted worthy of this moment: I thank You, Lord, that You have counted me worthy to face this day and this hour — to share in the company of Your martyrs and to drink from the cup of Christ, so that I may rise to eternal life in both body and so...

The Coming of Jesus: Revelation Fulfilled?

...long with death in general by various other means. It’s possible that the preceding horseman is what sets things in place for death to ride through, by affecting the economy enough to result in famine, which would lead to death along with much disease. v.9: Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. v.9: When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given The fifth seal is one which affects even God’s own people. This is the seal of martyrdom. vv...

Before The Pumpkins: The Road To The Lions

...The sound of chains echoed through the streets as Ignatius of Antioch was led from Syria to Rome. The old bishop’s body was frail, but his heart burned with the strength of Christ. Each clinking step brought him closer to the arena — and to the wild beasts that would tear him apart — yet his letters brimmed with joy and passion, and a sense of urgency inspiring others to unity, obedience, and unwavering faith. For Ignatius, death was not defeat; it was the completion of discipleship, crossing the finish line of faith… the moment when imitation of Christ became complete. Ignatius of Antioch is one of my favourite Early Church Fathers mainly for h...