The Second Death A Further Purpose

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There will be no more tears or sorrow

God is almighty and supreme in every sense of the fullness of those words, so He created and knows what is good and righteousness. By definition, anything that is contrary to that is evil and sinful.

He is a loving Father and does not rejoice in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
See All...) and He is always working toward helping mankind choose the right way. In Ezekiel 3:18-21 [18] When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
[19] Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
[20] Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
[21] Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

See All... we read about the warnings God sends to people through His servants and Church. He warns of punishment to come and encourages repentance. He also warns those who have repented to stay the course and not fall from their positions.

In Deuteronomy 30:15See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
See All... Moses wrote: "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil." God continues to encourage Israel, but also states the obvious in verse 18 where we read: "You shall surely perish."

The prospect of eternal death is mentioned in several places in the Bible. Jesus encourages Church members in Smyrna that if they continue to overcome, they will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
See All...). Revelation 20:6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
See All..., 14 addresses the second death. In Hebrews 6:4-6 [4] For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
[5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
[6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

See All..., we also read Paul's warning to the converted. Understanding that there is such a thing as a second death is an important deterrent to humans (converted as well as unconverted).

God would not make such a statement about a second death if it has no meaning or is a hollow and empty statement. Of course all humans die once, the Bible tells us (Hebrews 9:27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
See All...). We understand that this first death comes to saints as well as sinners (Ecclesiastes 9:2All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
See All..., 5).

But most humans have not understood or even heard the gospel message. God is fair and just and will make sure everyone does have a chance. To this end, there is the resurrection of all who have died without understanding (including babies and other innocents) so they can live and learn.

This resurrection to physical life is described in Ezekiel 37 where we read of people who had been cut off from God now coming to understand Him. They will receive His Holy Spirit, which indicates repentance through Jesus Christ must come (Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
See All...), and so our loving heavenly Father will act in fairness to all since He wants all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
See All...).

It is obvious that if humans have died and then been resurrected to physical life again, they will either receive eternal life (after conversion) or eternal death (if they refuse salvation). The second death is an even greater deterrent to those resurrected than it to this present generation, because they have already died once. Death is real. It is not logical or possible to be resurrected to physical life a second time and not die again (second death)—if a person fails to reach salvation.

The threat of extinction in the second death must be a real and true threat or consequence, or it is meaningless. Not only does God have to complete His warning, He must carry it through. There must be a resurrection for those who have totally rejected every attempt made by God to help and guide them, and they must receive the penalty of sin—which is the second death.

They will join those of the second resurrection who have come to the end of the time God allows—and have failed. That penalty cannot be the first death, because even the converted experience that. We can see that this reality is a strong deterrent for us all. We would be wise to heed it.

There are three resurrections indicated in Scripture, but only two deaths. All humans are physical and the body does die—that is the first death. The saved are resurrected at Christ's return in the first resurrection unto eternal life (Revelation 20:6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
See All...; 1 Corinthians 15:44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
See All...).

Some humans will live through the Great Tribulation into the 1,000-year period reflected in the Feast of Tabernacles. They and their descendants will then have the opportunity to choose life or death, for at that time everyone will know the truth.

All people since the time of Adam and Eve who have died, including the innocent little babies, must have the time and opportunity needed to be able to choose (2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
See All...; 1 Timothy 2:4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
See All...). They will be given physical life and be taught the truth. This is the second resurrection and will take place after the 1,000-year period. Revelation 20:12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
See All... alludes to this, and verse 5, which speaks to the "first" resurrection, implies there is a second. Ezekiel 37 describes people—long dead—who are raised and for the first time are given hope and understanding.

After every human being has had an equal and full opportunity to accept eternal life on God's terms, then those who have rejected it will cease to exist for all eternity. Their death will be instant and permanent. Although little is mentioned in detail, the act reflects the justice and mercy of our heavenly Father.

There are also many other eyes observing the events that envelope mankind. Angels rejoice when one person repents and when glory is given to God (Luke 15:7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
See All..., 10). They are concerned and involved in the affairs on earth (Revelation 5:11-12 [11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

See All...). They also notice the involvement of Satan and the demons in troubling humans (Job 1:7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
See All..., 12; Matthew 5:1-11 [1] And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
[2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
[6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
[7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
[8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
[9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
[10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

See All...; 13:19).

The two thirds of the "good" angels rejoice in the justice and power of God. Just as they will see the final sentence carried out on the third of the angels who followed Lucifer's rebellion, they will witness the fair and just sentence for mankind.

Jude 6 and 13 tell of the sentencing of the fallen angels that is also necessary. God has no joy in this either, but He must follow through with it because there is no other way. He is just and the penalty for sin—whether of angels or men—must be fully paid.

Demons will be out of God's creation forever and humans who refuse salvation will also be out of the memories of all who remain. Their final death removes the memory of their existence forever (Psalm 109:15Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
See All...; Isaiah 26:14They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.
See All...).

When even the memory is erased, there are none with regrets, none who mourn lost family members. There will be no more tears or sorrow (Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
See All...). There will be no more death. UN