Death, the Second

A term used in the New Testament only in the book of Revelation. It describes the eternal judgment of God against sin. It was first a rabbinic expression. The second death will happen to those whose names God does not write in the “Book of Life” (Revelation 20:15). The second death is the same as the “lake of fire” (verse 14). Another name for it is “the lake that burns with fire and sulfur” (21:8). It is further described as the final end of “the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars.” Those who are victorious in this life have nothing to fear from the second death (2:11).

See also Death; Eschatology; Fall of Man; Last Judgment.