I suppose there has been nearly as many ideas of what the “second death” is as there are notions of the identity of the beast of Revelation with the number 666.

- So may I be permitted to add my donation to the heap. I realize that these things are only my opinions; but after much thought upon the subject, they seem to be about as good as many of the other ideas that have been presented. Therefore, as a seeker of the truth, I submit the following thoughts for the consideration of the brotherhood. Please take what appeals to your own understanding as God has led you into these things, and lay the remainder aside as it seems good to you. I hope that few will be seriously offended by this interpretation; (although I know that some may be) but if so, if possible, please receive it in a spirit of charity, as these thoughts are presented only as they have appealed to my mind.

“..He 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…” Rev 2:11.

“…Blessed 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…” Rev 20:6.

“…And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the SECOND DEATH. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire….” Rev 20:14-15.

“…But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the SECOND DEATH …” Rev 21:8.

The view of the “second death” as expressed in these references in Revelation is generally thought to mean mere physical death. However, when we begin to give serious thought to the context of these passages, I think it can be easily seen that there is much more under consideration here than physical death.

First: For instance, in the first reference, this was not spoken to the world of mankind in general; but to the church, or believers in Christ. The “overcoming” of that church also needs to be identified within the context, and what is meant by these not being hurt by this “second death.”

Secondly: In the next reference to the “second death”, just what is meant by the “first resurrection” and the subsequent reigning of “the priests of God” with Christ a “thousand” years? It seems that if “the first resurrection” is directly connected with “second death”, (according to the text) and if this death is (only) physical death, then where is the place for a (subsequent) literal “thousand” year reign - or for that matter, according to the general Amillenial view, where is there room here for any stated length of time to reign with Christ except forever in Heaven and Immortal Glory in the saints glorified body? And if the “second death” under consideration is (only) physical death as many believe, and their (physically) dead bodies are awaiting the “general” resurrection, then where is there a place for a literal “thousand” years in such a scenario?

Thirdly: If this same death with its attendant grave “was cast into the lake of fire” and if this fire be a conscience torment for all of the human race who were/is not found “written in the book” of Life, then how could this supposition harmoniously connect with so many other expressions here stated as connected with this “second death”? Furthermore, according to Rev 22:14-15 it seems evident that comparison is made between those who are within the confines of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, the Gospel church, and those who are without its gates - and not a comparison between the life of the saints on earth and their final glorified state in Heaven and Immortal Glory; and those who are left to eternally perish in an interminable torment as is commonly spoken of. - Besides, all believers in salvation by free grace believe that our final inheritance and destination in the Eternal Heaven above is in no way meritoriously connected with our works here on earth and while in this mortal state; But according to these texts, they who are blessed to do His commandments have right to the tree of Life, and thus enter in through the gates into this City. It seems that according to the traditional view, if this City be Heaven above, and not the Gospel church as she was to finally appear at the writing of John and now in her present state, then to say the least, there is a confounding in the mind of what the New Jerusalem is to be considered in this Book, and within the context of other epistles of the New Testament Scriptures. Then is the New Jerusalem to be identified as Christ’s Kingdom of God on earth, or is it referring to her final glorified state in heaven and immortal glory? I think that the Scriptures clearly and consistently delineate The New and Heavenly Jerusalem as the Gospel Dispensation Kingdom; and until we are clear upon this point, we will never come to a consistent exegesis of the book of Revelation.

Fourthly: If the those who are denoted as fearful, unbelieving, etc. are those who are to suffer forever or either intermediately (according to the various concepts of purgatory) and in a literal place after physical death and as described; and this punishment is confined without reservation for such - then why do other references in Revelation (as just stated above) to this place bring in more conditions for entering there - that is, doing His commandments, entering in through the gates, adding or taking away from the words of the prophecy of this Book. Surely, to any believer in salvation by free grace, these statements concerning this City must be of an experimental nature to the saints who have been brought into the blessedness of this Holy City as to those who have experimentally been left from without, and considered to be of and with those who are from this standpoint yet in or under the power and practice of the condemnation of sin.

I have never had any success in trying to associate and harmonize the symbology of the Apocalypse with the many futuristic scenarios coming either out of the past or from modern sources. As will be seen in this article, I believe that the writings of the Book of Revelation were largely, if not wholly fulfilled during the times of the Apostles, if not shortly thereafter. In this view I realize that I am identifying myself eschatologically with those theologically called preterists. For most of my life in the profession of the gospel of Christ I do not ever remember hearing the term preterist. It’s similar to the joke about the young lieutenant or engineer: "Six months ago I couldn't spell enguner; and now I are one." Like many, I just assumed and accepted the many traditional doctrines concerning the end-times as what is traditionally taught throughout Christendom concerning this subject; and therefore didn't really give much thought about it; But throughout the years in study and thinking about these things in Scripture, and how they connect together, I came to realize that the traditional view did not seem to fit together very well in my mind.

I would wake some mornings and these connections would just seem to pop in my mind, and the context(s) seem to fit so well, and make so much contextual and consistent sense to my understanding according to the general analogy of faith within the general harmony of the texts.

I give several references from Isaiah and other places to show the advent of the New Age and the dissolution of the Old Law Age, along with special references to the literal destruction of Old Jerusalem and with companion or parallel passages from the New Testament.

"...Isa 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day..."

To show that Isaiah was speaking of a special day (instead of speaking) in general terms of the haughtiness of the natural man) in these passages, Jesus directs his charge and denunciation especially against the Scribes and Pharisees who were the recognized religious rulers of that world or age. Notice especially his description of them and their proselytes as being the children of "hell" (Hades, death, hell or the grave - a place where the "dead" are consigned. There are many other references made concerning this judgment that was to come upon them - not only by Jesus; but also by John the Baptist:

"...33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the DAMNATION OF HELL? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar..." Matt 23:33-35.

"...7 But when he (John) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee FROM THE WRATH TO COME? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and CAST INTO THE FIRE..." Matt 3:7-10.

“.. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the CHILD OF HELL than yourselves..." Matt 23:8-15.

This impending fire represented the fire of judgment that was to shortly come (35-42 years later) upon that generation which would utterly burn up and consume and terminate that economy:

"..11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens BEING ON FIRE shall be dissolved, and the ELEMENTS shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH, wherein dwelleth righteousness..." 2 Peter 3:11-13.

At the final consummation of the Law Age, all of the offending ELEMENTS to Christ's spiritual Kingdom had now been gathered together and were ready for the final burning and dissolution of that Legal dispensation: At this formal and final judgment and great sign of that Age there was to be found no place for the legal elements of the Law dispensation, or for the old heavens and old earth (land) to have a standing or longer exist, as there was no Life found in them:

"... Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law..." Gal 3:21.

The old, or obsolete heavens and earth (land) must flee away from the Face and presence of Him Who sits upon the throne of judgment, because He had no real pleasure in the former things; Burnt offering and sacrifice was not His desire, but a body was prepared for Him in the Person of the only begotten of the Father. "The True light was then (and is now) shining, The Son of God has now in those last days really and manifestly appeared as having put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself; (Heb 9:26, 1 Pet 1:20.) All things are now fulfilled that were written in the Law and prophets concerning Him. The final judgment day has finally arrived upon that perverse and untoward generation. The tares have now been gathered together in bundles by the angels, the Apostles; the bride has now been made fully ready by the redemptive work of The Son of God Himself and by His present intercession in Heaven and Immortal Glory where He has set down expecting until all enemies to be finally put under His feet, and the last enemy to be destroyed is death itself; for during that Age He was not yet fully revealed or having loosed all the seals of the book and books; or seen as having yet fulfilled or completed that final work; that is, the termination of that Age with the restitution of all things, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. The Apostles had come unto the heavenly Jerusalem, but because of the remaining vestiges of that which was yet finally to be abolished they could not fully enter therein with all the spiritual household of God, so that in the Ages to come Christ might reveal unto all saints "the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward them through Christ Jesus." Eph 2:7. Those who were to be identified with the Legal Economy were to be cast into this fiery judgment which would finally leave them neither root nor branch; while those who were to be gathered within the sheepfold of the New Jerusalem with Christ, Who had broken down the middle wall of partition between the natural Jew and Gentile, and of these two making peace in one spiritual body which was to fill all in all of these spiritual Israelites and thus identifying them all together as one in Christ. When God in Christ would finally in that great day when the controversy of Israel would be finished in Christ and He would say:

"...To the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him..." Isa 43:6-7.

When all the nations and the people (Israel) were gathered together, and the people assembled in the great congregation where Christ is in the midst of them to sing glory unto His Name. ".. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people..." Rom 15:10-11.

"... For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all... 1 Cor 15:27-28.

Jesus is then now exalted -

"...21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.,," Col 1:21-23.

"...9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all..." Heb 10:10.

Peter speaks of the demise of that Age in the following terms:

“…3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day…” 2 Pet 3:3-8.

Here we look at Peter’s words and prediction from his own historical time frame and perspective and not from an abstract, speculative or indefinite view, such as are often portrayed in a far-off, distant, futuristic scenario. The Apostles were living in the last Age of that time ecclesiastically speaking. Peter’s words are in accordance with the words of Christ Himself, which He spoke unto him and other disciples with him when at the temple buildings of Jerusalem, and while the disciples admired and pointed out to Jesus the beauty of those things. But all these things were to be literally destroyed within a few years’ hence.

In this coming judgment during the last days of the old dispensation the dead would be hailed to the judgment of God in Christ: His great and final judgment that was to be attended by the mighty signs of that age were then to be manifested:

“…12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. 16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel…” Joel 3:12-16.

Compare the last verse of this prophecy with the Hebrew writer in speaking of the shaking of the then present heaven and earth and see the similarity: Also the awakening of the heathen (Gentiles) in the first verse and their subsequent being brought to the place of God’s judgment, and the final judgment upon this wicked along with the harvest.

The pale, reflected light of the moon, representing the Law Dispensation would no longer give her light as the True Light was to shine (only) within the confines of the New Jerusalem; Neither was there any more need of a literal typical temple and formal, ritualistic or specific geographic place of worship here, for Christ and the diffusion of His Spirit would forever be their Eternal Light within. The inhabitants thereof have no need of these types and shadows which have perished with the using. Like all the typical heavens under the former dispensation, they have waxed old during former ages, and especially with the Son of God coming suddenly to His church, or the temple of His spiritual body, and being with His Holy Apostles even to the end of their world or Age. The old mundane heavens where there was only relative vanity and vexation of spirit because of un- atoned sin and where its provisions could not make its comers thereunto perfect - have waxed old like a garment; and like old bottles that cannot hold the new wine, they could not hold the provisions of this world to come; If anything is now added or taken away from this house not made with hands, those who do so shall be identified with those who are spiritually outside the confines of this City, which has foundations, and whose Maker and Builder is God. This City, the Lord Himself pitched through the Eternal Spirit, and not man by dead works of a dead conscience. The books of the Law were to be fully opened, and those who were found yet spiritually dead in trespasses and sin would be judged according to their works, and be found with all the world of mankind, guilty before God and under a righteous condemnation, Rom 3:19. - because they have not been able to believe in the name of Jesus. Light has entered the world; but this Light shines in darkness, and the world of death and un-regeneration neither perceives or apprehends it; No man can even see this Kingdom until born of the Spirit. And when he is given to spiritually see this Kingdom, he is already within it, spiritually speaking. And these cannot enter it with a good conscience without the washing of the regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

No man can come unto Christ unless he is powerfully drawn by the Father, and he that is thus drawn, Christ shall in no wise cast out. They who are born of the Power of this Light comes unto the Light by the drawing power of the same Spirit, that their works might be manifest, and that they are wrought in God, (John 3:21) because His Spirit has wrought all their works in them, (Isa 26:12) and they are not their own; they are bought with a price, and are His Own workmanship, created in Him seminally before the foundation of the world and manifested in Time; He has made them for Himself, and they have not made themselves. (Ps 100:3.) It is God that works in them, both to will, or give them a holy will, and also to do His Will in them according to His good pleasure, working in them that which is well pleasing in His sight. (Phil 2:13, Heb 13:21.)

When the righteous and the wicked were to be separated at the returning of the whole house of Israel; when Christ would appear out of Zion; and turn sin and ungodliness away from Jacob, and there would be One Shepherd, one sheep and one fold. (John 10:16.) Then the whole house of Israel would appear as standing up, resurrected from the dead state they had been in, a great army of the Lord: (Ezek 37:11.) Judah then should be saved, and Israel would dwell safely: "... Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

"... In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS..." Jer 23:5-6.

"... And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim..." Isa 11:12-13.

"...Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the SEED of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD..." Jer 31:37.

In WHOSE days? In the days of Christ, as represented in David, a man after the Lord's own heart, and not after the nature of those who departed from Israel; but before the dispersion in Jeroboam which historically occurred later in Solomon's time and not during the time of David's reign. Using the sublime language of the prophet - who could this one be except the glorious One, Who was to come into the world at the end of the Age:

The O. T. Scriptural foundation for this departure of the ten tribes is found basically in 1 Kings 11:

"...30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: 31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: 32 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) 33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. 34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes..." (1 Kings 11:30-33.)

When this came to pass there would no longer be a fleshly distinction between a natural Jew, and a natural Israelite, Samaritan, Greek, Roman, bond nor free, but all would fully appear before the believing world as children of God in Christ Jesus. The true spiritual Israel would now appear in its glory out of every kindred, tongue and nation.

“…Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him…” Acts 10:34-35.

The Lion and the Lamb would now lie down together, and they would not hurt nor destroy in all God's holy mountain.

The significance of this Death and Hell (grave) in the Apocalypse where those who were lost and perished in that great judgment is shown in that Death and that Grave itself was cast into this lake of fire according to God's interminable judgment, with the conscienceness or enduring worm of this judgment upon the beast that crucified the Lord and the false prophet that persecuted the Apostles and early church, and where it shall never cease, and which is the second death under consideration. This first death encompasses the original sentence of death pronounced upon the old dispensation, which was reinforced by man’s death in sin of and from Adam through Adam’s original transgression as the natural father and progenitor or direct ancestor of his posterity. and the dispensation of which the Apostles referred to as being the "ministration of death"; and that which was to be abolished; and that economy which was attended with a curse; " For cursed is everyone that continues not in all things of the works of the law to do them." But "Christ has been made a curse for us or those that are called to believe in Him; for “cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree."

This condemnation and death attending the demise of that dispensation was pronounced upon the unbelieving Jews by Christ while He was in the temple:

"...Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come..." John 8:21.

"...Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come..." John 8:24.

"...8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged..." John 16:8-11.

All of these (condemning principles with its adherents unto, and that which stemmed from the weak and beggarly provisions of the former economy) has for the spiritual believer in Christ been cast into this great judgment of God.

There was, and is yet a great gulf of unbelief fixed between those who are consigned thereto, and between those who are set free by the faith of Jesus. It is only by faith given in Christ Jesus that a child of God is enabled to look away from the dead works of the Law and see themselves in the bosom of father Abraham, who is the great example of all the faithful in Christ Jesus; while the self-righteous, or those who remain to follow after legalism and the merit of human righteousness for salvation, must spiritually speaking, through the same example of unbelief co-exist forever with those angels of the former dispensation "who kept not their first estate", but fell through unbelief; and thus left their own habitation, to which He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of that great day of which we now speak.

This death might also be viewed within the context of the symbols in Revelation as the reign of death or deaths that prevailed from Adam, to Moses and also from Moses by the Law until the coming of Christ. when Christ presented the deliverance of the church from the dominion and wrath of the sin through the Law, which manifested the sentence of the “ministration of death.” (2 Cor 3:7, Rom 7:13) In the consideration and comparison of two things: Two head ships; The first Adam, which is natural and the second Adam which is spiritual: “The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. ”The Law (through death in sin) became not a life, but rather a death unto the people of God: (Rom 7:10.)

As God originally made man in His image, likeness, etc.; but that image was not completed or fully developed until man had followed the woman in the transgression, and thus became "as one of US, knowing good and evil". This likeness in the first Adam did not consist, as is commonly taught among men in righteousness and true holiness; for if so, then Adam would have been denoted as being formed a spiritual man and not natural. And furthermore, if the first Adam had been spiritual or immutable in his first creation, then how could he have fallen? Besides, the Scriptures inform us that Christ only possesses immortality (not subject to death) (1 Tim 6:16, John 10:28,John 17:2, Acts 13:48, Rom 5:21, Rom 6:23, titus 1:2, 1 John 1:2, 1 John 2:25, 1 John 5:11, 1 John 5:20,

Adam at first was not designed to be like God in his original creation; if so, he would have been designated a god, and not man of the earth, earthy. Man in his original creation did not possess the attributes of God; but this image was to be developed in Christ, the second Adam, Who was spiritual. Paul clearly delineates the differences between the first Adam and the second Adam Who is Christ:

"...45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven..." 1 Cor 15:45- 47.

The fact then is established that the first Adam was a type of Christ. "Second" again as referring to the principle of the things we are discussing, is directly used at least five times in the book of Hebrews in making the comparison between the provisions of the Old and New Covenants. (Heb 8:7, 9:3, 9:7, 9:28 and 10:9.) and of course, the subject matter is really part of the main theme of Hebrews, which is the churches' perfection in Christ under the terms of the New Covenant as compared with the former, and which by two immutable things in God swearing in His promise to Abraham that ".Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee", This promise was fulfilled in Christ, (Heb 6:14)

"For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.." (Rom 4:13)

"...31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal..." Matt 25:31-46.

This fire of judgment in all these cases is the same, and is the same as Malachi’s fire spoken of in his last pronouncements of the end of that Age and the ushering in of the New Dispensation:

"...4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. 4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse..." Mal 4:1-6.

Then, to sum up the second death, it seems to be the death and condemnation which the adherents to the former dispensation found themselves in at the legal (In God's purpose in Christ) termination of that economy. The thousand year reign seems to be the Apostolic Age with the New light now shining and the spread of the gospel by the Apostles over the inhabited world. This was a transitional period - A day not fully light or dark, but a twilight period.

"...6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. 8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one..." Zec 14:6-9.

The evening time of the last days were approaching while the last Apostolic epistles were written; and in them the apostles spoke of the near-approaching troubles that would finally attend its dissolution:

"...Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God..." 2 Th 2:3-4.

Whether these warnings from Paul were speaking of perhaps the Apostate Jewish nation as she lay in a state of spiritual death, or if he is speaking of such as Nero, the monstrous tyrannical and beastly ruler that ruled the political world at that time - who does seem to fit the following description by the prophet, especially when we here consider the context of Daniel's prophecy:

"... And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done..." Dan 11:36.

Yet, Daniel seems to predict the Roman Power and its alliances as such, - at least in a general way and immediately before and during the times of Christ and His Apostles, including the destruction of Old Jerusalem. Any certain Roman ruler at the “time of the end” as spoken of by Daniel is perhaps uncertain; although historically, many eminent scholars have taken the task in hand to discover the identity of these prophetic personages: yet we feel that in Paul's stated hindrances alluded to in 2 Th 2:3 as to the final judgment upon that nation, he predicts such would be removed at, or rather after the "falling away" of these powers and the "man or sin" - whether apostate Jews or a corrupt Roman ruler or both - and into which fiery judgment these elements of the old world or age would be also included at this final and great judgment - when the present hindrance(s) that Paul speaks of here should be taken out of the way, either through providential political means of intrigue, conspiracy and wickedness, etc., yet they would lead and make way for the great movement to the final rebellion of the apostate Jews and their consequent destruction by the armies of Titus under the emperor Vespasian.

The thousand years' as being the Apostolic Age, and its place in the churches' history is further strengthened by the Apostle Peter, who speaks of this in reference to the final consummation of the Age, and even uses this term while God's Purpose in Christ is waiting the accomplishment of His Will in the fullness of the times of that Age:

8 "...But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a THOUSAND years, and a THOUSAND years as one day. 9 The 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..." 2 Peter 3:8-9.

No doubt Peter is here speaking of and referring to the awaiting judgment with reference to the destruction of those wicked and the salvation of those called by grace to the gospel.

The "binding of Satan" was also done during this age. This work was done by Christ and by the power He gave to His Apostles where Christ appears as the Archangel with a great chain in His hand to bind Satan and his power for a time - after which Satan must be released and go upon the earth and continue to persecute the remnant of the Seed of the women. This persecution was done primarily by the Jews with the Gentiles during the Apostolic era, and continued later under the Gentile rulers. The great dragon (possibly either Herod, literally) which began at the birth of Christ, and later carried forth and continued by such as Saul of Tarsus and other law-letter zealous Jews - still later by the Roman powers such as Nero, especially during the birth-pangs of the early church and under the leadership and its establishment by the ministry of the Apostles:

"... And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.." Rev 20:22.

"... And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ..." Rev 12:17.

Satan could not have been effectively bound if this power had not been given to Christ directly and also through the ministry of His Apostles:

"... And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..." Matt 28:18-19.

"...To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me...." Acts 26:18.

"... And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him..." Rev 12:9.

(The power of) Satan was cast out of the kingdom of heaven by the Power of Christ Himself, and Satan's power was held there or limited by the ministerial and providential power given to the Apostles; therefore, The Adversary was filled with great wrath against the saints, because he knew that he had only a short time to operate; and to greatly try the faith of the called saints of God he did before the termination of that Age - although relatively speaking, his power was yet greatly diminished (over God's children) as compared to former times, when darkness had relatively covered the earth, spiritually speaking: )

"...2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising..." Isa 60:2-3.

As the time was swiftly approaching when the fullness of the Gentiles were to come in; that is, when spiritual Judah and all the lost house of Israel (for Christ came to save that which was lost of the house of Israel) Jacob or Israel would be spiritually restored in Christ and as the spiritual seed of Abraham by faith, and also along with the spiritual Judah; (for he is not a Jew, or true worshipper of God who circumcision is only outward or in the letter of it, but he is a worshipper of God whose circumcision is inward. in the heart, and not in the letter.) For salvation is of the (spiritual) Jew(s). Rom 2:28-29, John 4:22.

Therefore, all the (natural) Jews and Gentiles that were to be forever called by grace into the spiritual kingdom of God were to finally appear united as one in Christ; Then the Scriptures concerning Christ and His personal coming(s) would be finally and fully fulfilled "All of Israel shall be saved" as Paul expressed in Rom 11:26.

"... And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night..." Rev 12:10.

Who particularly was "the accuser of our brethren"? was it not the spirit of anti-Christ that persecuted and tried those who first trusted in Christ for salvation?

John mentioned this Spirit that troubled the saints during the last days of the Apostolic Age. This was a spirit that denied that Jesus the Savior had actually appeared in the flesh, and that He had accomplished the work of redemption and justification by the Spirit; and I think also, that denied that His Kingdom was of a spiritual nature, rather than a fleshly one, as the fleshly Jews were accustomed and prone to think; This spirit denied that the Messiah whom the Jews looked for (in a mere political way) had already come in His Kingdom and had established itself in the hearts and mind of the spiritual Jew by love and faith and joy in the Holy Ghost. No doubt, this spirit of anti-Christ also denied that Christ had actually accomplished the work of eternal redemption for His people. From the latter standpoint, true believers can still perceive that this spirit (of antichrist) is still active in our present times .

We understand that a discussion of this subject will of necessity enter into the subject of the resurrection which we may present in a later topic. Many of them (not all) that slept in the dust of the remnants of the Old Economy would be awakened, even to everlasting Life in Christ, while others would be left in unbelief; and rather they would be raised to everlasting shame and contempt.

"... And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever..." Dan 2:44.

"... And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt..." Dan 1:1-2. "... And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 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..." Rev 20:13-15.

This “time of trouble” here in Daniel is directly connected with the resurrection of those “who slept in the dust”, at the “time of Michael standing up” and a “time of trouble, such as never had been since there was a nation”. What other nation could the prophet be referring to except the nation of Israel? So this prophecy must refer to the nation of Israel and those end-times. Who else could this “Michael” here represent other than the Lord Jesus Christ who is the One that has forever stood for the children of God in every dispensation? Jesus affirms that these passages of Daniel refer to the final dissolution of that age along with that nation, and that such tribulation had never yet occurred, either before these predicted times, or should ever occur to them as a nation again:

This interpretation which is consistent with the other exegeses we have attempted to consider precludes the yet-to-be or futuristic scenarios that are often presented: This is also why the integration of the destruction of Old Jerusalem is to be placed as an integral and vital ingredient of this eschatology, and not to be regarded as a casual reference concerning this history.

“..For then shall be great tribulation, such AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD (that nation, which was often referred to by Jews as the world) TO THIS TIME , NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE. Matt 24:21. Also see Luke 21 for more parallel references to this tribulation.

As these passages plainly relate to the awakening caused by the appearance of Jesus Christ both in His personal ministry as The Son of Man, and later by the ministry of His Apostles when He gave and sent them power, there was really a great birth among the nation of the Jews, although most remained in unbelief. At His death we certainly believe that all of His saints arose with Him in a way of legal redemption as they were chosen in Him in God in Eternity and redeemed by His death upon the tree. Those who were actually resurrected with Him and afterward went into the Holy City and appeared unto many were emblems or first-fruits of all the Old Testaments saints and who with the Apostles and New Testament saints would finally arise with Him in Glory, but were now waiting their adoption, or the bringing in of the whole body of the new creation in Christ, though at Paul's writing they were yet groaning and travailing together to be delivered. From the bondage of corruption:

"...For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body..." Rom 8:22-23.

To follow through with the context, could this giving up of the dead of John parallel with that of Daniel? This “sea” of Rev is equated with the water of " peoples and tongues and languages: "

..And he saith unto me, The WATERS which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues..." Rev 17:15.

This judgment was not only to include the sinners and spiritually dead of the nation of the Jews, but was also to embrace the sinners of the Gentiles, as to my mind, these waters of the sea represent every dead alien sinner of the race. As this death and hell were to be cast into this lake of Eternal judgment (which is the second death) that presented itself upon unbelieving man after the appearance of Christ. This second death primarily represents the place of death for the unbelieving Jew, but it also embraces all unbelievers. Hell (the grave, or the place of the dead) was also cast into this lake of burning judgment. And whosoever was not found in the book of Life in Christ was cast there. Why would these Scriptures not parallel the words of Christ found in many of His parables, especially as The Rich Man and Lazarus? - Where in hell (the grave) the rich man (Jew) who lived sumptuously ever day upon the righteousness of the Law, was cast out, while the poor, beggarly Lazarus was brought in and comforted while from afar off the legal rich man saw Lazarus embraced in the (true) faith of Abraham, while he himself was cast out, because he sought the kingdom not as it was by faith, but as by the works of the Law.

".. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven..."

The first death seems to me to be the death that the people under the old economy were found under at the advent of the Lord Jesus. Since a new generation were to be born in a day, that is, at or in the day of Christ, and the old part was to remain under the former death. As mentioned before, most see the second death as mere physical death as compared to the first spiritual death in Adam, and that physical death that all flesh must experience, has no real power upon their spiritual existence in Christ, but only upon their physical body. According to the analogy of faith, However, this would fit much better than the wild futuristic scenarios that are conjured up on the subject: "...But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed 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.

The sign of this was given when "many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many..."Matt 27:23. Satan was put in prison, so to speak, by the power of Christ Himself while He was on earth, and later by the power that was given unto His Apostles over the elements of Satan, so that the wickedness and depravity of that generation was fully revealed to be "The Man of Sin".

"...When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. EVEN SO SHALL IT BE ALSO UNTO THIS WICKED GENERATION..."Matt 12:43-45. "..When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first... EVEN SO SHALL IT BE ALSO UNTO THIS WICKED GENERATION…” Luke 11:24-26.

THE VERY LAST STATEMENT OF CHRIST EXPLAINS WITH CLARITY AS TO JUST WHAT AND WHO IS UNDER CONSIDERATION HERE, AND THAT HE IS SPEAKING TO AND OF THE THEN PRESENT GENERATION OF JEWS, THEIR PRESENT CONDITION, AND WHAT WOULD FINALLY BEFALL THAT WICKED GRNERATION.

The "falling away" spoken of by Paul in 2 Th 2:3 was to manifest the "second death" that would greatly ensue at the final fall of that economy. The Reign of Christ manifested at the termination of the Age of the Apostles is called a "regeneration" of life by Christ Himself within the New Jerusalem of which John writes.

".. And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel..." Matt 19:28."

Here “all Israel” is again restored or reassembled in her glorious state under Christ her Head, with the twelve thrones of the Holy Apostles again representing “the whole house” of Israel as was originally patterned at her inception under the Law dispensation and under the typical David and before the departure of the ten tribes, and thus she has now fulfilled the many beautiful passages concerning her in the prophets.

".. He 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..." Rev 2:11. If the "second death" has no power upon those that had part in the first resurrection, and it followed (or because) they were to be priests of God and of Christ, and reigned with Him a thousand years, or about the span of an adult human life as servants and priests unto God to offer up acceptable sacrifices unto God by Christ. If the second death that came upon the unbelieving Jews at the departure of the Apostles is not what is under consideration, how could the amills refer this second death to the physical death of the body, since in their scenario there is no literal thousand year reign, after physical death, but only unconscience sleep in Jesus until He comes in future ages to resurrect their physical bodies? For if the "second death" does indeed (only) refer to the dissolution of the saints physical bodies, then we could not say that the saints would reign with Christ only "a thousand years" (literally or any figuratively indefinite time-span), but will reign eternally with Him in Heaven and Immortal Glory. ".. 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. AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea..

Notice that “The new heaven and new earth appears immediately after the casting of death and hell and those not written in the book of Life in Christ into the burning fire of judgment.

Also, and in a similar way, consider the following sequence of events as laid down in the Apocalypse in the appearance of the New Heaven and earth, the disappearance of the “sea”, the loss of the luminaries of heaven being cast down to earth, and that with the seeming complacency of the Spirit concerning this final consignment and relegation of the “filthy and unjust” , etc. - also along with those considered righteous and holy as being assigned to their proper places. Does one not see the emphasis of the finality of these words? These expressions by the angel denote that all things are now finished in the righteous judgment of God concerning the work of salvation as presented by the appearance and first coming of His Son to that generation, and His final appearance is now near at hand at the writing of Revelation:

“… And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be…” Rev 22:12.

" Rev 21:1. Immediately following the scene of the lake of fire (which is the second death,) the new heaven and new earth is brought to view. I see this as showing that the new heavens and earth could not be fully brought to view until all of the old things (which were now [at the time of John's writing] under judgment) were fully and manifestly committed to this interminable judgment of God. Again, in harmony with this - the second death could not represent physical death as most view the connection, because many Amillenians believe that the new heavens and earth do not represent Heaven and Immortal Glory, but The Gospel Dispensation (but which of course precedes, instead of follows corporeal death for the believer.)

Again to show that the second death has its main bearings with the Gospel kingdom and the Legal Economy and not to Heaven itself: "...And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 BUT the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death..." Rev 21:5-8.

This “overcoming” was by and through the “word of the saint’s testimony of faith in Christ or in the blood of the Lamb and does not directly relate to their inheritance in Heaven and Immortal Glory as most presume and have received by tradition of the fathers.

“… And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, NOW is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death…” Rev 12:10-11.

Further, this “overcoming” was connected with the foregoing in the passage, that is the appearing of “salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.” These things all fully appeared and were manifested at the dissolution of that Age, and the New Jerusalem then fully shone forth in her superlative glory:

“…6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen…” Rev 1:6.

“…9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign ON THE EARTH…” Rev 5:9-10.

Dispensationalists are yet looking for that which has in its principles of long been fulfilled and established by and in the second coming of Christ in glory. No wonder they are so apprehensive and fearful of the things that are now coming (and will continue to come) upon this present earth. How then can they fully rest in that rest that remained (and yet remains, and also into which they are presently entering) for the chosen spiritual people of God?

As in the preceding scriptural comparisons, it seems plain that the new heavens and new earth of this passage are also directly connected with the present Gospel kingdom and not to the Eternal Heaven. While at the same time it reveals the judgment for those that remained in unbelief and reveals THEIR part in the lake of fire, which is plainly identified as "the second death". The "buts" of these passages, (which I have emphasized) being conjunctions, therefore connect the Kingdom and the judgment together.

Many suppose that since there is or was a second death mentioned, it follows that there must also be a "second" resurrection also. While there is certainly a "first" resurrection mentioned, it would follow that there would be a "second" resurrection - yet it DOES NOT follow that there would be still another resurrection - at least of this nature - following a "second" death, for there was to be no reprieve (except by faith - for that which is not of faith is sin) for those who would suffer the consequences of the second death, because the second death represented the death that came upon the disobedient through unbelief and which was of both a personal and dispensational nature. They who are under the sentence of this second death are denoted as being under sin. Notice the Apostle's description of them: fearful; this describes the essence of a legalists' religion - not based on love and trust, but based upon fear. Unbelieving: again this would describe the carnal Jew worshipper who was left or concluded in unbelief. and the descriptions that follow would also describe the unbelievers of that nation as well as all legalists and sinners in general who are destitute of faith in Christ from a truly spiritual standpoint.

BUT the children of the kingdom SHALL BE CAST OUT INTO OUTER DARKNESS : THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH..." Matt 8:11-12.

"..The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; (Greek- aijwvn - Aion = Age)and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. (Greek- aijwvn - Aion = Age) The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth..." Matt 13:38-42.

If the furnace of fire and the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth represent the unbelieving Jew in this passage, then why will not the nearly identical language (of Jesus) hold good in other places?

The SECOND DEATH that happened to those of the legal dispensation by appointing them to a grave of dead works had no power over believers in Christ , whether they were Jew or Gentile, Christ having broken down the middle wall of partition between them, and had abolished death and brought immortality and life to light through the Gospel. "...THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and YOU YOURSELVES THRUST OUT. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last..." Luke 13:27-30.

".. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.." Matt 25:41.

".. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity..."Luke 13:27.

"... Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me.. "John 16:7-9.

".. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind..." John 9:39.

“…But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets…” Rev 10:7.

Submitted I trust for the cause of Christ.

The presentation of these things are just my opinions; and are therefore to be regarded and received as such. I make no claims whatever to inspiration, except that which may perhaps be called ordinary among men.

OAB

So All Israel Shall Be Saved

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