13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

— Revelation 20:13-15

8 in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,

10 on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.

— 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10

26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

55 “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”

— 1 Corinthians 15:26; 55

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

John portrays death and Hades like personalities that Jesus consigns forever to the lake of fire. The day is coming when sin and its curse upon the earth’s will never again torment those who trust Jesus. Considering Jesus’s cross and resurrection, Paul asked triumphantly, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Jesus’s resurrection settles the unshakable certainty of the joy and resurrection to life of all who put their trust in Him.

God will justly condemn to the lake of fire all who fail to repent and believe in Christ. They will forever experience the second death, sharing the destiny of the false trinity they chose to follow. Unbelievers face eternal conscious separation from God’s life-giving presence and glory. In the lake of fire, people will know God only in His terrible wrath. Praise God this second death has no power over believers, who rise in the first resurrection. Amen!