Death and Hell.

by Edmond Melotindos
(U.S.)

The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death." Then in Romans 6:7 it says that "he who has died has been acquitted of his sins." If our death is the payment of our sins, then why is it stated in Revelation that sinners will be thrown in the lake of fire? This kinda confuses me; does God give two penalties for sinners? Do you have any idea? Thank you so much for your answer.

Answer:

This can seem confusing. Especially so since the Bible speaks of the first death and the second death and also of death to self. Getting those straight will help to answer your question.

The first death is the physical death that everyone dies, even those who are saved. It is the natural result or consequence of the fact that we live in a world of sin, largely separated from God. It is not in any way a penalty for our sins or punishment from God.

The second death is the death that is referred to in your quote from Romans 6:23 "the wages of sin is death." Those who are saved do not have to pay for their sins. This death is what those who are lost; who never accept the payment freely offered to cover their sins, will suffer. From that death there is no resurrection but, rather, an end of existence. Even Satan will suffer that fate and will ultimately be destroyed never to mar anyone's happiness again.

"All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more." (Eze 28:19)

The death to self is what is referred to in Romans 6:7 that you quoted. Read the context of that verse and it will be obvious that it is not talking about a physical death but a choice of how to live a new life following God's ways. This is what is referred to in this verse describing baptism:

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Rom 6:4)

So the first, physical death is not the wages of sin. The wages of sin is the second death which, according to Revelation 20:14, is the lake of fire. This is rightly understood as an experience, not a place - see my study on the second death. So, in a sense, by voluntarily experiencing one death - the death to self - we can avoid another death - the second death.