Primary Study
Grafted Bible Dictionary
Definition
The Second Death is Revelation's term for the final death associated with the Lake of Fire after resurrection and judgment.
Revelation
First and Second Death
The terminology implies a distinction between:
first death — ordinary mortality
first death — ordinary mortality
and
Resurrection
Revelation 20 describes resurrection and judgment before introducing the Second Death.
Those participating in the first resurrection are said to be beyond its power.
Those participating in the first resurrection are said to be beyond its power.
Lake of Fire
Revelation 20:14 explicitly states:
"The lake of fire is the second death."
This identification is interpretively significant.
"The lake of fire is the second death."
This identification is interpretively significant.
Interpretive Significance
Those who argue for conditional immortality emphasize the straightforward death terminology.
Those who defend eternal conscious punishment interpret "death" in this context as an ongoing state of ruin or separation rather than cessation of existence.
The text itself should be examined before importing either theological conclusion.
Those who defend eternal conscious punishment interpret "death" in this context as an ongoing state of ruin or separation rather than cessation of existence.
The text itself should be examined before importing either theological conclusion.