“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (Romans 5:1–2 NLT)
The arithmetic of the gospel is fascinating. If you’re born once, you’ll die twice. If you’re born twice, you’ll die once. If that seems confusing to you, you’re in good company. Nicodemus, a notable Jewish scholar and leader in Jesus’ day, asked, “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” (John 3:4 NLT).
By “born once,” I mean the physical birth. By “born twice,” I mean a physical birth as well as a spiritual birth in which you’re born again, after having put your faith in Christ.
Just as there are two births, the Bible teaches that there are two deaths: One is physical, and the other is spiritual. Jesus warned that we are to fear the second death more than the first one.
Revelation 20:14 tells us, “Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death” (NLT). The second death is mentioned again in Revelation 21:8, which says, “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (NLT). The second death is Hell.
It has been said, “The second death is the continuance of spiritual death in another and timeless existence.”[ML1]
Thomas Watson wrote, “Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.”
Jesus spoke of Hell in a very specific way. He warned of the fire of Hell (see Matthew 5:22). He warned about our bodies being thrown into Hell (see Matthew 5:29). And He warned of the soul and the body being destroyed in Hell (see Matthew 10:28).
The Bible teaches that all Christians—that is, sinners who have been forgiven and saved because they put their faith in Jesus Christ—will be in Heaven. And that offer of forgiveness and salvation is extended to everyone.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory” (Romans 5:1–2 NLT).
Your eternal destination is really your choice. Not everyone will be saved in the end—only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. That’s the message God has entrusted to every believer. It’s a message we must spread.
Reflection question: In your circle of acquaintances, who needs to hear about the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus offers?
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Greg Laurie is the pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii and of Harvest Crusades. He is an evangelist, best-selling author, and movie producer. His latest film ‘Jesus Revolution,’ from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, is now available on-demand worldwide.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
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God used the Jesus Movement to reach an entire generation with the hope of the gospel. In Jesus Revolution, Greg Laurie shares the true story behind this spiritual awakening and the people God used to change countless lives. Written with Ellen Vaughn, this book offers an inspiring look at how revival spread during one of America’s most turbulent decades.
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