But Two Seasons to Avoid the Second Death

Most people believe in giving those who have done wrong and who are willing to change and turn their lives around a second chance. We have given our family members, partners and friends second, third and even more chances to change for the better. We have forgiven them.

There are various seasons in life, as we grow and mature. As children we are playful, joyful and generally happy because we have no responsibilities, like bills, mortgages and a family to support.

In our teens we are rather carefree, experimental, and at times reckless because of our lack of knowledge and wisdom. This behavior gets us into precarious situations at times, but we learn from the experiences, and sometimes we do not learn and go on to make even more mistakes.

When we become adults, we take on many responsibilities, learn, grow and mature. However, we continue to make mistakes, bad decisions and suffer the consequences or do such harm that others suffer the consequences.

Two seasons

In the grand scheme of life, insofar as spiritually is concerned, there are but two seasons to avoid the second death.

As we observe the world now, we are able to see that humanity has gone astray. Wars, conflicts, lawlessness, adultery, lying, child sacrifice (abortion), murders, thefts, corruption and more are all increasing. This is because the Creator God has given us free will to live our lives as we please. He does not force anyone to obey his commands or heed His warnings.

Nevertheless, there is a time on the near horizon when God will finalize His plan since the beginning of time as we know it, and judgment, that is, His wrath, will come upon those who have willfully denied him and not heeded His myriad warnings.

The two seasons I refer to to avoid the second death are trusting Jesus before the Rapture, and trusting Him before the 7 trumpet judgments of Revelation are unleashed on the Earth, and no more opportunities exist to avoid the second death thereafter.

The Rapture

The Rapture of the church, that is, the true believers who have believed on Jesus by faith alone, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9), is explicit throughout the Bible. We read the following:

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV).

The Greek word for "caught up" is harpazo, which means to snatch or take away. Mind you, the Rapture is not the Second Coming of Christ Jesus, because, as we observe from the verses above, He gathers His elect "in the clouds." When Christ returns the second time, He literally comes to the Earth (Revelation 19:7–9, 14; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 19:15, 16).

Those who are resurrected have avoided the second death. What? Yes, there are two deaths for humanity, a physical and an eternal death.

Stick with me here, please.

We also read: "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).

The second chance

We agree that people typically deserve a second chance in life. God offers considerably more; however, the two seasons pertaining to avoiding the second death provide people with another chance to come to Jesus Christ if they have missed the resurrection. Now I don't know about you, but I want to be on the first lift, so to speak!

We read: "Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6).

The second chance comes during the Tribulation period, which lasts 7 years, also referred to as the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Revelation 6:17; 7:14; Jeremiah 30:7). This period begins immediately after the Rapture of the Church.

This period of time will be one of extreme difficulty, because God will allow Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet to wreak havoc on the Earth. They will mandate (sound familiar?) that all who live take the mark of the beast or be killed.

It is also during this 3.5 years that some people will recognize the error of their ways, repent and believe on Christ Jesus, be saved, but die at the hands of evil persons led by the unholy trinity. After the 3.5 years, God's judgment comes upon all who are left on Earth in the form of the 7 trumpet and 7 bowl judgments. All of the unholy trinity and unbelievers are then cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity (Revelation 19:20; 20:1–3). There are no other chances.

What is your call?

You have been given two seasons and chances. Have you availed of the first one yet? Or do you choose to slumber a while more, miss the Rapture, and take your chance on the second chance? It's entirely up to you, friend.

If you sincerely desire to avoid the second death, simply offer this prayer to God from your heart. He is listening right now.

Heavenly Father, I am sorry for all the mistakes I have made, all the trouble I have caused by not obeying your commands which are righteous and just. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins so that I do not have to pay for them, which I deserve. I believe that my salvation is a free gift from you and that no works could ever save me. I now turn from evil and ask you to help me live my life for you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

If you have said this prayer, you have availed of salvation. You have avoided the second death and will reign with Christ. Hallelujah!