Different Kinds of Death

The Bible speaks of more than one type of death. Keep in mind that we, who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord will live with Him forever, so these deaths are nothing to fear.

Physical Death

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. II Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)

Although we will die physically and become separated from our bodies (unless we are here for the rapture), our eternity is fixed. Where we spend eternity is based on the decisions we made on earth, namely to accept or reject Jesus as our Savior and Lord. We need not fear physical death and the judgment to follow if we have received Jesus.

Spiritual Death

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Ephesians 2:1 (KJV)

Quickened means made alive. Paul is talking to Christians in this verse. This speaks of being made alive in our spirits. We used to be spiritually dead to God, but we’ve been born-again. Spiritual death is a result of Adam’s sin, and he passed it on to every human being. When we receive Jesus as savior and Lord, we are made alive spiritually. Sin brings spiritual death that separates us from God, but being born-again in Jesus has made us new creatures (II Corinthians 5:17, John 3:3). We got a brand new spirit, created by and alive to God.

Twice Dead

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Jude 1:11-12 (KJV)

This talks about rebellious ones, false teachers, who were once saved but later left Christ. They disconnected from the Lord, and like a branch that is disconnected from the vine, they died spirutually again. They went from death to life and back to death agin, hence the title twice dead. They are compared to Cain, Balaam, and Korah.

The Second Death

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. Revelation 20:14-15 (KJV)

This is the death that will be experienced when unbelievers are cast into the Lake of Fire. The first death is physical death, and the second death is experienced only by the unsaved, which is the Lake of Fire. Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life (not born-again) will be cast into the Lake of Fire, separated from God for all eternity. Death for the wicked is separation from God, for God is life and has eternal life.

Because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].” For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

Call on Jesus, and Jesus who is and has eternal life will give you life and life forevermore.