You Only Die Twice

There is a popular adage which is used as antidote to fear that goes ‘you only die once.’  The solace one is intended to take from this is that once it’s over , it’s over, and nothing can hurt you anymore.  Armed with this liberating perspective, individuals are supposed to be able to accomplish great feats, but they usually are only being goaded into taking unnecessary risks, or being pressured to engage in dangerous activities for as little a reward as merely thrills and chills.  Alas, if this reaches any of you going over Niagara in a barrel, I am sorry to report that it’s not true: you die twice.   If you’re in that barrel, but not yet at the falls, then please read this.  Fast.If you die without Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you will die in your sins.  They and their penalties will be attached to you, and you will be judged by them.  Because the wages of sin are death, you will be found guilty and sentenced to death.  The scene is described in the Bible like this:

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15; emphasis added)

As you can see, this second death is the big one, and it by far the most painfully excruciating, and it hurts forever (Rev 14:9-11).  There is another way to take the second death whereby you escape this horrible torment.  Christ Jesus put it this way:

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (Mat 16: 24-25)

The Apostle Paul explains it:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal 2: 20).

Either way it can be said that you will die twice. Now get out of that barrel, and put your hand in the hand of the one who walked on water:

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Mat 14:24-33)