Topical Bible: Eternal Death: Illustrated

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Eternal death, often referred to as the "second death," is a concept found in Christian theology that signifies the final and irrevocable separation from God. This state is characterized by perpetual punishment and the absence of divine presence, as opposed to eternal life, which is communion with God. The Bible provides various illustrations and descriptions of eternal death, emphasizing its severity and the importance of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Descriptions and Illustrations

1. The Lake of Fire: One of the most vivid illustrations of eternal death is the "lake of fire," mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 20:14-15 states, "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." This imagery conveys the idea of eternal punishment and separation from God for those who reject Him.

2. Outer Darkness: Jesus often spoke of "outer darkness" as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Matthew 25:30 , He says, "And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This description highlights the anguish and despair associated with eternal death, contrasting it with the joy and light of God's presence.

3. Eternal Separation: The concept of eternal death is also illustrated by the idea of separation from God. In 2 Thessalonians 1:9 , Paul writes, "They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might." This separation is the ultimate consequence of sin and rejection of God's grace.

4. The Rich Man and Lazarus: In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man, after death, finds himself in Hades, in torment, while Lazarus is comforted at Abraham's side. The rich man's plea for relief and the chasm that prevents crossing from one side to the other illustrate the finality and irreversibility of eternal death.

5. The Worm that Does Not Die: In Mark 9:48 , Jesus refers to hell as a place "where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." This imagery, drawn from Isaiah 66:24, underscores the unending nature of the suffering associated with eternal death.

Theological Implications

Eternal death serves as a stark warning of the consequences of sin and the rejection of God's offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This verse contrasts the outcome of sin—eternal death—with the promise of eternal life for those who accept Christ.

The doctrine of eternal death emphasizes the holiness and justice of God, who cannot tolerate sin in His presence. It also underscores the urgency of evangelism and the need for individuals to respond to the gospel message. As illustrated in John 3:16 , "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life," the offer of salvation is available to all who believe, providing a way to escape eternal death.

Conclusion

While the Bible provides vivid illustrations of eternal death, it also offers hope through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The choice between eternal death and eternal life is presented as a matter of faith and acceptance of God's grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 16:23-26
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Continual Union in Spirit with God the End of Man's Creation...
... that divine light, by which their understandings had been illustrated, and that ... And
consequently the same guilt both of temporal and eternal death was withal ...
/.../chapter i continual union in.htm

For Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance to Salvation, not to be ...
... for God to condemn him to eternal death, that so ... of itself, is mean and miserable,
and worketh death. ... You see the principle illustrated in sinners, who, after ...
/.../lectures to professing christians/for godly sorrow worketh repentance.htm

Faith Illustrated
... Faith Illustrated. ... him now to-day, to have and to hold through life and in death,
in tempest ... a soul is born to God, and a brand is plucked from the eternal fire ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/faith illustrated.htm

Contrasted Services
... The dreary series, so often illustrated in the history of Israel, came into ... Character
is eternal, memory is eternal, death puts the stamp of perpetuity on what ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/contrasted services.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... are made acquainted with his eternal election, the grace of God being illustrated
by the ... some to the hope of life, and adjudges others to eternal death, no man ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

The Triumph of Humility.
... It can reward them only by death, an eternal death. ... How wonderfully has the Holy
Spirit illustrated the centuries of the world! So many startling revelations! ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section xii the triumph of humility.htm

The Last Farthing.
... It is the punishment of the true Love, and is continually illustrated and fulfilled ...
than the road to the everlasting fire, for its end would be eternal death. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the last farthing.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... THE NATURE OF THIS CONSECRATION as illustrated in this ... spoil the vines be hunted
to death, and your ... is shipwrecked for ever; but if my eternal salvation rests ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... Confession Of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr ... had anything to say why sentence
of death should not be ... we read in the Bible concerning eternal punishment, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... I might use the burning of this vessel as a picture of spiritual things, out of
which I might make an illustrated sermon These ... Shall I endure eternal death,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm