THE CLAIM

 2) Two separate and distinct physical deaths may befall mankind, but only the first death is a certainty. Every human will die the first death.




Death: the act of dying; the end of life; the total and permanent
            cessation of  all the vital functions of  an animal or plant.
                                         -- Random House College Dictionary

The key to the word death is its finality; the end of life, the total and permanent cessation of all vital functions. Death is the absence of life. The scriptures state:

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing... (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

According to the Bible, two separate and distinct "deaths" can befall man. The first and most obvious death ends our life which we are presently living on the earth. Our second possible physical death is described in the book of Revelation:

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)

Individuals whose names are not written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire and suffer their second death. They die because they are physical bodies which can die. They are physical bodies because they have never been born again as a spirit which cannot die. It is very important to notice that this death is actually labeled as a death! That is, it is final and eternal. There is no recovery or return from the second death! This truly fits our definition of the word death. It is the permanent cessation of all vital life functions.

When the first death of any man is discussed in the Bible, the words used to describe that event are sleep or rest. When Jesus raised people from the dead, He often stated they were not dead, but simply asleep:

Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. (John 11:11)

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn... (Mark 5:39-40)

If true death is final, then our first death is not death at all. It is not final or permanent. Every human who ever lived will be resurrected back to life:

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (I Corinthians 15:22)

So Jesus did not lie when He stated that Lazarus' stinking body which had been lying in the grave for four days was only sleeping. When pressed, Jesus spoke plainly and stated that Lazarus was indeed dead. Plainly indicates that Jesus spoke in terms of how man understands death -- the first death:

Then Jesus said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (John 11:14)

In neither case, when Jesus said Lazarus was asleep nor when He said Lazarus was dead, did He lie. Both statements are true! One was from God's point of view and the other was from man's point of view. From God's perspective there is one true death, the second death.

Once one understands the two deaths described in the Bible, it becomes easier to understand the scriptures. However, one needs to distinguish which is being referred to in the context of each verse. Words such as sleep, slumber, and rest are used to refer to man's first death. Words such as die, death, and perish are used to refer to man's permanent second death. For example:

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. (Ezekiel 18:4)

Since die is used, this scripture refers to the second death. Otherwise, the word sleep or rest would have been used. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Therefore, we are all headed for the second death.

But only the first death is appointed to all mankind:

And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)

The second death is optional:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Since God gave His only Son so that those who believe in Him should not perish, this promise protects believers from the second death.

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing... (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

The dead are at total rest. They know and are aware of absolutely nothing! They do not even know they are dead. They are not in heaven with God or burning in hellfire or in purgatory. The only spirits around are God and the angels. God has existed from the beginning, and He created the angels.