Overcoming the obstacle of sin is the greatest challenge of life — not because it is so difficult, but because the enemy of the soul exploits our ignorance. Revelation 2:11 makes the overcomer a promise about the second death.
Romans 5:20 — Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Overcoming the obstacle of sin is the greatest challenge of life. Not that it is so difficult, but the enemy of the soul is always exploiting the ignorance of humanity.
The Bible shows us how to abound in Christ and be victorious over all besetting sins, because where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. True faith in Christ brings conviction, conversion and sanctification; it brings out the best in humanity and enables us to overcome the world and all obstacles (Romans 5:20-21, 1 John 5:4).
Grace is not merely equal to sinPaul does not write that grace matched what sin did. He writes that it much more abounded.
Revelation 2:11 — He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 2:11 reveals another promise to the overcomers.
Who the promise is for
"He that overcometh" is a special promise for all those who believe. In this verse the promise is made extra special to those that shall overcome. To those who will not yield their godly principles when opposed or persecuted; to those who will not retreat when the battle of adversity gets hot; to those who will not be induced to apostatise nor abandon their faith; to those who will stand firm in every trial and prevail against all adversaries; to those who will endure to the end despite all the evil enticements, objections and obstacles — they shall not be hurt of the second death.
Two deaths, not one
The first death is painful and disruptive, but the second death will be most painful beyond imagination. The first death is just a retirement from this life, a sleep for a moment from the activities of this world, but the second death removes us eternally from the presence of God, from the joys and bliss of heaven, from the privilege and pleasure of eternal life.
A sleep, and a separationThe two are not the same event twice over. Scripture distinguishes them, and so must we.
The second death is indescribably more painful than the first death, because it involves the penalty for sin. There will be intense sorrow, regret and anguish.
Matthew 13:42 — And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The second death will be without the comforting words, prayer and support of family and friends. The second death will be lonely, inexpressibly hurtful and destructive.
A way of escape, and it is open now
But there is a way for everyone to escape the second death, and they can do it even now. To escape the second death, it is imperative that we surrender to Christ and continue to triumph in His grace.
The promise, in fullNot that the overcomer escapes the first death, but that the second has no power over him.
Today, we can begin to live that we may escape the second death. Remember that the first death is not the end of being; there is coming a second death for the impenitent.
To those who overcome through Christ, the second death shall have no power over them.
May God help us to be among the overcomers.
This is the third part. Overcoming Obstacles takes up Matthew 24:13 and what enduring to the end will cost, and Part Two sets out what Scripture names to overcome — sin, the world, the mark of the beast — and the tree of life promised to the one who does.
If this study has raised something you would like to talk through, the team reads every message: ask a Bible question, or send a prayer request.
On the grace this article turns on, Getting to Know Jesus works through the law, sin and saving grace, and the Everlasting Gospel sets out the message of Revelation 14 and the hour of God's judgment. Time Shall Be No More takes up the close of probation, after which the second death named here is decided.
For the care of the whole person while that work goes on, the Ministry of Healing section takes up health, healing and the mind at rest.
First published at https://timeisathandlive.org/blog/overcoming-obstacles-part-three — Time Is At Hand Evangelistic Ministries. Read more studies at timeisathandlive.org.
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