What Is the Second Death Mentioned in Revelation?

Direct Answer

The second death is spiritual death—eternal separation from God—experienced by the lost at the great white throne judgment and in the lake of fire.

Les Feldick teaches that the second death is not physical death but permanent separation from the Creator. It follows the great white throne described in Revelation 20, when death and hell are cast into the lake of fire and the lost are removed from God's presence forever.

Key Scriptures

Revelation 20:14 — This is the verse that names the second death after death and hell are cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8 — It lists the kinds of people who have their part in the lake of fire and identifies that fate as the second death.

Revelation 20:6 — It shows that those who share in the first resurrection are untouched by the second death.

What Does the Bible Say About the Second Death?

Revelation 20:14 says that death and hell were cast into the lake of fire, and then declares plainly, This is the second death. Revelation 21:8 repeats the identification, saying that the fearful, the unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. In contrast, Revelation 20:6 says that blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, and on such the second death hath no power. The Bible therefore presents the second death as the eternal doom of the lost, while those who belong to the first resurrection are exempt from it.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About the Second Death?

Les Feldick teaches that the second death is spiritual death, which he defines as separation from God for all eternity. He explains that physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body, but spiritual death is a separation from the Creator. He stresses that everyone will die physically if the Lord does not return, but the spiritual outcome depends on whether old Adam—the sin nature—is put to death by faith in the cross, or whether that old nature experiences the second death at the great white throne and the lake of fire. Les connects the second death to the resurrections in Revelation 20. The saved are resurrected before the Kingdom begins, while the lost dead are not raised until the thousand years are finished. At the great white throne, death and hell are cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. He also teaches that the lost are not annihilated; they are resurrected with a body suited for the lake of fire and will experience regret and suffering throughout all eternity. Les also points out a distinction between hell and the lake of fire. Hell will one day end up in the lake of fire, but the two are distinct. The second death is the final separation from God that takes place when the lost are consigned to the lake of fire.

How Is the Second Death Different From Physical Death?

Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body. The second death is spiritual death, and it is separation from God for all eternity. Les Feldick emphasizes that everyone faces physical death if the Lord doesn't come, but the second death is the final doom of those who remain under old Adam and leave this life without that condition being changed.

What Happens to the Lost at the Great White Throne?

After the thousand years are finished, the rest of the dead—the lost—are resurrected to stand before the great white throne. Death and hell are cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. The lost receive a body suited for the lake of fire and go to their eternal doom. Les Feldick stresses that they are not annihilated; they continue to exist in separation from God.

Why Is the Second Death Called a Death If the Lost Live Forever?

Les Feldick explains that death in Scripture means separation, not cessation of being. The lost keep existing and experience regret and feeling throughout all eternity, but they are permanently separated from their Creator. That eternal separation is exactly what the second death is.

Who Will Escape the Second Death?

Scripture says that those who have part in the first resurrection are blessed and holy, and the second death has no power over them. Les Feldick ties this to the gospel: old Adam—the sin nature—must be put to death by faith in the finished work of the cross. Those who are in Christ are counted dead with Him and will not face the second death.

From the Teaching

The End of Bad Fruit

Les explains that when a person lives under old Adam and produces only bad fruit, the end is spiritual death—separation from God forever and ever.

Old Adam and the Second Death

Les teaches that old Adam either dies spiritually in this life through faith in Christ, or he will experience the second death at the great white throne and be consigned to the lake of fire forever.

Spiritual Death Defined

Les defines spiritual death as separation from God and says the Bible calls it the second death. He also notes that hell and the lake of fire are distinct, and hell will one day be cast into the lake of fire.

The Second Resurrection

Les points out that the second resurrection of the lost happens after the thousand years, and when death and hell are cast into the lake of fire, that is the second death.

Final Separation From God

Les reads the list of the wicked in Revelation 21:8 and says their part in the lake of fire is the second death because it is final separation from God.

Not Annihilation

Les says the lost are resurrected to a life separated from God—the second death—and they continue eternally, experiencing regret and suffering, not annihilation.

The Great White Throne

Les explains that at the great white throne the lost are resurrected with bodies suited for the lake of fire, and they go to their eternal doom.

Death as Separation

Les defines death as separation: physical death separates the spirit from the body, while spiritual death is eternal separation from God. He also explains the difference between hell and the lake of fire.

Bible Verses

Revelation 20:14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

This is the verse where the Bible explicitly names the lake of fire event as the second death.

Revelation 21:8: 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.

It lists the categories of people who will receive the second death and repeats the exact phrase.

Revelation 20:6: 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.

It contrasts the first resurrection with the second death, showing believers are exempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the second death?

The second death is spiritual death—eternal separation from God. At the great white throne, death and hell are cast into the lake of fire, and the lost are consigned there forever. It is not annihilation; the lost continue to exist in separation from God.

Is the second death the same as physical death?

No. Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body. The second death is a spiritual separation from God for all eternity. Everyone dies physically if the Lord doesn't come, but only the lost experience the second death.

When does the second death happen?

It happens after the thousand years, at the great white throne judgment described in Revelation 20. The rest of the dead are resurrected, death and hell are cast into the lake of fire, and the lost go to their eternal doom.

Does the second death mean the lost are annihilated?

Les Feldick teaches no. The lost are resurrected to a life separated from God and will experience regret and feeling throughout all eternity. They are not blotted out of existence.

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