He who has ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. Blessed and holy he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power. When Death and Hades (Hell, the void, being without God) is cast into the lake of fire (Why would hell be cast into the lake of fire if it was already a place of fire and brimstone?), this is the second death. Anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Satan and his one-third of the angels will live forever in the burning void without God. But the descendants of Adam that did not overcome will die the second death.
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life. Is there anyone that Jesus was talking to that is still alive? No, they have all died. Did Jesus lie? No, they died the first death. It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. It is the second death that they have past from into life everlasting. Those that do not overcome will die the second death, an everlasting death not everlasting dying. To say there is no eternal dying is not to say there is no hell or Lake of Fire. The dwelling place of the unholy spirit (without God), Hell, will be cast into the Lake of Fire. They cannot die, so they will be in Hell cast into the fire forever. The descendants of Adam that do not overcome will be cast into the Lake of Fire and the second death will take them. They will be eternally dead.
Then what should be made of the tale of Lazarus and the rich man? The rich man was in Hades and tormented by a flame and requested that Lazarus be sent to bring him water for his tongue. If Hades was in the lake of fire it must have been after the judgment. But the rich man requested that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers. If the judgment had past what good would warning them be. Besides the judgment hasn’t happened. In the spirit physical time and space do not restrict one. After death the next thoughts the rich man had were of the judgment and the Lake of Fire. Abraham replied to the rich man that they would not be persuaded though one rise from the dead. The rich man’s brothers were not persuaded by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The rich man’s conversation with Abraham was occurring after Jesus died and rose, ascended and returned and after the judgment. It is not a tale of eternal damnation but a warning to those who value earthly riches over the gift of grace.
There is a punishment for those that do not overcome. As the followers of Jesus follow Him to the Father’s kingdom, the followers of Satan follow him into the Lake of Fire. The first lie that the serpent told mankind was, “You will not surely die.” Why do some Christian teachers still listen to Satan? God said, “you will surely die,” not surely live forever in Satan’s dwelling. The fire will consume the flesh completely. From dust to dust and ashes to ashes the flesh will be consumed. The second death will have dominion over the flesh and all that will remain in the fire is Satan and his fallen angels. But for those that overcome there is no second death but life eternal. For those, that are the Lord’s, will live in a place where there is no night, no death, no sin and no Satan. Praise to God for His mercy, His grace and His gifts of Jesus the Christ and the Holy Spirit.