The first half of this verse has already been visited in the commentary on v7. So, at this juncture, our comments will be placed mostly upon the promise given to Smyrna, i.e. Commentary, Victory Over the Second Death(The Grk is, “tou thantou tou deuterou.”)
“He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” ～ In this text, the term “second death” is introduced to the reader of God’s Word for the first time. The term references the eternal lost state of the unregenerate soul. The Revelation defines it as “the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (21:8). Although, the term “second death” is first mentioned here, it is not new to holy Scripture. Previously, the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell is simply called—death (thanatos). For instance, Paul writes to the Romans that they who are filled with such things as “unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, ... envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity,” and they who are “backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful ... are worthy of death.” Paul is hardly speaking of the physical death that ends one’s life on earth. Instead, we are to understand him as referring to the eternal separation from God in the netherworld of hell. The Jewish Targums view Deut 33:6, Ps 48:14; 49:14; Is 22:14; 28:15 (all which speak of death) in the same light. And, not that Joseph Henry Thayer must be right at every point, but it is interesting that he understands thanatos as used in Romans 5:12; 6:16, 21, 23 to have the “second death” in view. Moreover, he states in his definition #4: “In the widest sense, death comprises all miseries arising from sin, as well as physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth to be followed by wretchedness in the lower world (opp. to Zoē aiōnios, life without beginning or end, that which always has been and always will be): Thanatos seems to be so used in Ro 5:12; 6:16, 21 ...”
The term “tou thantou tou deuterou”—“the death the second” (the second death) presupposes a first death. Thanatos is defined as a separation (Thayer). In terms of physical death it has the separation of the soul from the body in view. This separation is only temporary, however. For the scripture states, in fact Jesus states,
“... the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have that evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28-29)
Although, it is appointed unto man (all men) to die (Heb 9:27), there is a reuniting of every soul to it’s own body — this, we call the resurrection. This resurrection will be participated in by all –righteous and unrighteous alike (see Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29 and Acts 24:15). The first death, therefore, is only for a moment. But the second death carries a greater weight, for it regards eternity and a separation of the soul and body from the presence of God forever (Matt 10:28). We have always felt Genesis 4:16 to be the most sorrowful text, “and Cain went out from the presence of the Lord;” but, how depressing is the thought of hearing the Jurist of Heaven’s courts say, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt 25:41).
“Thanatos” (Grk, death), is answered to in the Old Testament by the Hebrew “mawveth,” which holds the same meaning. When Yahweh said to Adam that the day he ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil that “dying thou shalt die” (Hebrew) we should understand both physical and spiritual death (Gen 2:17). And through the prophet Ezekiel, Yahweh says,
“Behold all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” And again, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek 18:4, 20a).
Death, as has been established, is a separation. The first death is a separation from the body, and second death is the separation from God.
The church at Smyrna is characterized by her martyrs, and is, therefore, associated with the fifth seal. Upon the breaking of this seal, John saw “... the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held” (6:9). Smyrna is also associated with the martyrs who reign with Christ 1000 years (20:4). These, because of their baptism of blood, are exempt from the white throne judgment of 20:11-15, and, therefore, absolved from any threat of eternal punishment, i.e. “the second death” (21:8).
Therefore, on those who are overcomers (because they are faithful unto death) the second death has no power and can do them no “hurt.”
Apostolically Speaking,
☩ Jerry L Hayes
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