To lose salvation is to lose eternal life in heaven where you will never be condemned. What is the alternative to eternal life? The opposite is eternal death wherein you are condemned forever with no possible way of escape. But what kind of death will you experience and where is the place you will spend eternity? 

Seven deaths are outlined in the word of God. They are: 1) Physical death, 2) Spiritual death, 3) The second death, 4) Positional death, 5) Temporal death, 6) Operational death, 7) Sexual death.  

Physical death… the soul leaves the body, the body collapses and eventually turns into dust. The soul continues without the original physical body. But to the surprise of some a certain life continues with a sense of consciousness. After the body dies there remains much of what was within the original body. The soul is unseen, unfelt, and continues forever for every creature. Yes, your soul will never die and you will never be annihilated yes, you already have eternal life. The issue to consider is where will your eternal soul spend eternity? 

Spiritual death… This death is passed down through physical birth by imputation. What’s that? It is the death you don’t ask for, pray for, work for but inherit by imputation. It began with Adam, the first sinner. Yes, Eve committed the first sin but her sin was committed under the deceit of his majesty the Devil. Adam knew better, he was not deceived. His sin was an act of volition.  He was not deceived; he knew better but he did it anyway. Seem familiar? Of course, we are tempted constantly but we have no excuse to sin; there is always a way to escape. 

Read carefully, it is one of the first scriptures I chose to memorize.  1 Corinthians 10:13, there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful (we are not) who will not suffer, or allow, you to be tempted above that which you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it. Adam was not forced to commit the first sin; he chose to commit it and the consequences were far beyond what anyone could ever imagine or anticipate. Adam made a poor choice. He had the colossal gall to directly disobey a face-to-face statement from the living God. Adam chose to do what he did, his actions followed his thoughts and the result was to disobey God, follow the woman and commit the first sin. 

Immediately after committing this sin, that now affects you and me, Adam knew a vacuous separation had occurred between himself and Eve and he couldn’t stand it! He knew the woman would not return to him in the original and perfect condition she had before succumbing to this cunning temptation from Satan himself. Eve had stepped away from Adam and from God himself in a perfect environment. For the first time, she was alone and it was a strange and foreboding feeling. She had never been alone and she had never felt this way, it must have been very strange, a first feeling… something she had never experienced. 

Satan had just started his vacuous attacks but this vicious tempter would never cease to tempt every human who followed our original parents. Satan’s plan seemed to work because this sin trickled down to Adam and to all of his progeny yes, this includes you and me; no one is exempt. The pronouncement from God was, the soul that sinneth shall surely die! By interpretation, this statement means dying you shall die. That is, dying physically, you shall die spiritually. Adam was the first human to be created by the hand of God. He was created but not born. He was the first sinner and the first to be condemned. 

Can you imagine, the first breath, the first step, the first to see God’s creation, the first to speak, the first to become thirsty, to drink water, to become hungry and to consume food? He was unique and it is impossible to have another first after Adam. He was different from you and me as we were born into existence, Adam was created and formed by God into existence and was absolutely perfect. There will never be another like Adam. To the shock of many, none after Adam are created perfect and in innocent. On no! Don’t you dare tell me precious, beautiful baby is sinful. No, I won’t say that but I will say every person born from Adam has an imputed sin nature and I am sorry to inform you, that a beautiful baby is no exception. He has not sinned personally, but with absolute certainty, this child was born into sin and will sin personally. 

To be condemned after Adam all one needs to occur is to be born. We can do nothing about it. To be born only once (physically) is to die twice, physically and then spiritually. To avoid these two deaths, one must be born again and that is to acquire a new birth by personally believing in Jesus Christ as personal Savior. When a person personally believes in Jesus Christ that individual has a new life and is a new creation. Therefore, that person has been born twice, physically and spiritually, and must only die once… physically. This is defined as being born again. You must be born again because if you are not, you must face the second death…. 

You do not want to be in this untenable position. There is no luxury, comfort, or escape from this horrendous condition and you will not join in joyous fellowship with likeminded friends who have only been born once they, like you, will face a righteous and imminently fair judge who will have them cast into the lake of fire. Remember, the basis of their condemnation is not their sins, Christ has paid in total the penalty for all their bad. And the best they can offer, at this final judgment bar, is their good works. 

Ok, so what’s so bad about good works? God made that abundantly clear many, many years ago! You may say, oh, I didn’t know, I didn’t know if only I had known! This information has been written and was just waiting for you to inquire. But you were just too busy. Here’s what the eternal word of God says about the best you have to offer at this final and requiring judgment bar. Isaiah 64:6, But we are ALL as an unclean thing, and all of our righteousness’s are as filthy rags; and we ALL do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 

There is no excuse, you stand before God blind, naked, undone, without hope, and without life. All hope was in Christ, while you lived, and you never considered him necessary or important. Therefore, you are left to stand on the flimsy and inadequate foundation of your best works and as you see, they are insufficient and you may be sure, Jesus Christ was and is sufficient, but it is indeed too late. Too late, too late! You only thought you had plenty of time but you were on God’s time and not yours. 

The 2nd Death… Please be very cautious here! There is no escape from this death… it is the time and place of condemnation forever. You must avoid it and you can, but it is the last judgment, the perpetuation of spiritual death that extends into eternity. All unbelievers are resurrected separately from believers to stand before this great judgment throne (Rev.20:11-15). The purpose of this resurrection will be to judge all who have never accepted salvation and the perfect righteousness that resides in the person of Jesus Christ. What a horrendous tragedy it is to leave the earth without accepting Christ as the only way to heaven and to be eternally condemned. To stand blind, naked, empty, and unprepared before this Great White Throne. 

I have heard many flippant individuals say, that all of their friends will be there too, so they will just take their chances. Can you imagine untold numbers of people standing before the Great White Throne, awaiting judgment, with a cavalier attitude attempting to make light of facing the lake of fire where the smoke of their torment will ascend forever? The cavalier, flippant, scoffers and all unbelievers will be filled with terrible fear and dread because none will have any hope of life or escape from the torment and damnation facing them for all of eternity. 

There is no hope before them, only the execution of righteous judgment by a holy and righteous God. They were warned of judgment and offered eternal life through the imputation of perfect righteousness that comes only from and through the Lord Jesus Christ. They didn’t take the time to stop, look and listen to the message of eternal life that could have come to them by a simple act of faith in the person of Jesus Christ. So sad, so dark, so empty, so unbelieving and totally condemning. 

Please see how this death is conveyed from the scriptures that illustrate its reality. Revelation 20:11-15, 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. This is THE final judgment and this special class of people are distinct from those who are redeemed. The redeemed were raised out from the dead one thousand years earlier and have been in bliss with Christ during that period. The dead can only be the unredeemed dead from eternity past to the setting up of the Great White Throne in space. 

The book of life is there to answer the question of those who plead their good works for justification…it was concluded good works cannot appropriate salvation and there is a conspicuous blank where their names might have been. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Hebrews 10:31

Positional Death

Upon faith in Jesus Christ, the individual is placed, by the grace of God, in Christ Positionally. This has been termed by many, the standing of a believer. To have standing is to be centered in him and to appropriate his absolute righteousness, justice, and eternal life. 

Let me share a few scriptures that show the believer is identified with Christ in his deaths. Romans 6:3,5,8. Vs 3, know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Vs 5, for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Vs 8, Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 

Colossians 2:13, And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Colossians 3:3, for ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. This position is permanent and to have this exalted position is to have forever the eternal life of Jesus Christ. To receive this life, one must deposit all of their faith in the person of Jesus Christ.  

Temporal Death

When a believer sins either covertly or overtly that individual is no longer in fellowship but out of fellowship and is experiencing temporal death. This death is not physical it is a temporary spiritual death that results in non-production. Recovery may immediately occur when the believer confesses sins pursuant to 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just (we are not) to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. While out of fellowship the Christian has grieved or quenched the Holy Spirit and is carnal. Romans 8:6, For to be carnally minded is death, (temporal) but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

Ephesians 5:14, Wherefore he saith, awake thou that sleepeth, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 1Timothy 5:6, But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. James 1:15, Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin, and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. 1 John 3:14, We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not the brethren abides in death. Rev 3:1, I know your works, that you have a name, that you live, but you are dead. Luke 15:24, for this my son was dead, and is alive, he was lost, and is found. Vs 32, It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. 

A believer out of fellowship is no longer productive in Christian service and is generating dead works that will be rejected and burned at the judgment seat of Christ, 2nd Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether they be good or bad. All good or bad works are tried by fire and the outcome is clearly delineated at 1 Corinthians 3:15, if any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Notice the term death in these scriptures. The reference is to temporal and not eternal death and certainly not to eternal life. When we are in fellowship and free from committing personal or mental sins, we are walking by means of the controlling ministry of the Holy Spirit. Production under the ministry of the Holy Spirit is classified as Divine good. Production while out of fellowship, because of sin, is human good and is defined as wood, hay, and stubble. This kind of production will be rejected and burned at the Judgment Seat of Christ. 

Temporal death is a serious sin and robs you from legitimate service, because nothing you do while out of fellowship, no matter how good or noble, will count and cannot survive the consuming fire at the Judgment seat of Christ. 

Operational Death

This death is temporal and results because the believer is not producing divine good. Divine good is works and efforts the believer accomplishes while under the control, power, direction, and light of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit in the believer that produces and blesses the efforts and activity of the believer. Since the Holy Spirit is in control, all effort and production is labeled DIVINE GOOD. 

When the believer is out of fellowship much effort and activity may be involved however, all production is accomplished by means of the power of the old sin nature and nothing that comes from this corrupt nature will be recognized as divine good. Wood hay and stubble will never be converted to gold, silver or precious stones and when out of fellowship the believer is neutralized and has only produced dead works. Satan is pleased when we are vigorous producers of many good and noble things while out of fellowship because nothing from this corrupt nature will count as divine good by our perfect and Holy God. 

Sexual Death

This death is simple as it is the termination of the ability to procreate.  Romans 4:19, And being not weak in faith he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb. Hebrews 11:11,12, Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 

In my family, my dear daughter in law looked and looked for a child and witnessed others having children and watched them play and taken care of by their loving mothers. Her heart was broken and on numerous occasions tears filled her eyes with a loving desire to have children of her own. After several unsuccessful attempts to become impregnated, a miracle occurred and remaining eggs sprang into life. More than a life; three beautiful lives. Yes, triplets!!! 

I unequivocally declare this unique Mother is a God assigned Shepard for these beautiful children. I have never witnessed a better or more caring Mother and each triplet, is beautiful, talented, caring and very intelligent…. That’s what God can do when all hope and expectation has vanished. 

This real incident is mentioned in the event one of our readers finds themself in a seemingly, hopeless or impossible circumstance.  God is far greater than impossible circumstances, he is a sovereign and righteous God who looks at and beyond all difficult circumstances, and yes, you may include what from the human view appears impossible. There comes a time when is prudent to stop, look and listen to our living God who provides substance and hope through impossible circumstances. 

Please memorize Psalm 121, I will lift up mine eyes unto to the hills, from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the lord maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he will neither sleep or slumber. He stands behind every promise and the promise is no greater than his impeccable character… it is impossible to get any better. Allow these words, that are directly from our loving God, to soothe and comfort your soul with confidence and faith in him which is the absence of doubt, trepidation or anxiety in you. 

Believe His word and rest in his promises by faith. More than 7,000 of his faithful promises are just waiting for you to claim and they are just as alive and believable as they were when first recorded. They are there, just waiting for you to embrace with a sincere and totally trusting faith. Real faith, really and truly believes His promises and does not trust in human abilities or best efforts! If it is sensed you don’t have enough faith to fully trust his reliable word, simply ask God for more faith…he will give it to you, the promises are there…believe them, and when you do, you are standing on solid ground! 

You may fully trust what is written and what you see in this holy word, it may be embraced with total confidence! Confidence in him and not in you or in your best efforts … he is far beyond impossible circumstances, best efforts or your greatest desires. Romans 10:17, So then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Faith is the hand of the heart that reaches out and embraces the gracious provisions of our loving God. 

Just ask Tina, our faithful and caring Mother to three wonderful Children (two identical handsome boys and one extremely beautiful girl) who years ago were only a deep hope filled with a longing desire, but today are a living and busy reality. I call them our miracle children, cause’ that’s what they are!!! 

Seven deaths outlined above may be turned to Seven lives. Let’s take a look at each one.

1. Physical Death is converted to spiritual life by a simple and deliberate act of faith that is placed in the object of faith which is always and only the Lord Jesus Christ. 
2. Spiritual Death (condemnation from Adam) is cancelled the moment an individual deposits faith in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
3. The second Death is removed by Faith in Christ which removes all condemnation and gives new never-ending life.   
4. Positional Death identifies the individual with Jesus in his deaths. (Physical and Spiritual) Where there was Physical and Spiritual Death there is Resurrection and Spiritual life. 
5. Temporal Death is removed when the BELIEVER confesses all known sins and is no longer controlled by the old sin nature but by God the Holy Spirit. 
6. Operational Death is removed when the BELIEVER is restored to fellowship and produces, gold, silver, precious stones as opposed to wood, hay and stubble. 
7. Sexual Death is removed when the individual is enabled to procreate. 

You may consider these deaths totally meaningless to you. They are not! As you contemplate this information, please stop, look and listen for TRUTH. This is what you need. Truth and not the opinions of man. Truth that comes from the reliable, dependable, and believable source of truth.  Psalm 17:17, Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth, Thy word IS TRUTH. 

Pilate asked a meaningful question and that question is circulating through the minds of thousands who have not found or embraced truth. What is truth? He asked a most important question, but did not wait for an answer. The fountain source of all truth was standing before him and he did not listen for THE answer! John 16:13, When the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all TRUTH.  The Lord God stands behind this holy and impeccable truth. He will not deceive you but will reveal His word and himself to you, but you can’t walk away after inquiring or desiring to know him. 

Pilate walked away and did not ask for clarification. He did not inquire when he returned and the prince of Peace could have given him not only peace but eternal life. What does this suggest? Could it be that, as you are reading this information, you have been drawn ever so close to the source of truth? You may be at a critical juncture in life… closer to inquiring about truth than at any other time in your busy life. Here is a powerful truth from the word of God that simply cannot be ignored. 

I will provide the scripture here that is the most impressive and powerful source of information I have ever witnessed. Jesus Christ is the entrance door to Heaven, I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9. I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live., and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:25-26, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given, among men, whereby we must be saved. 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13. In the privacy and secret places within your own soul you can, in a moment of time, have everlasting life. Your part is to call on him, to trust in him, to have complete reliance in him and none in yourself! You desperately need him, there is life in no other. You are not doing God a favor by believing in his only Son for salvation, He is delivering you from eternal damnation and giving you eternal life. A life you don’t deserve and can not merit, by you best efforts. 

How can this magnificent miracle happen to you? It is answered here in scripture!  For by GRACE are you saved through faith (faith in Jesus) and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God and not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9. The reason this so great salvation can be yours in a scant moment of time is also recorded in scripture. It is because the sinless son of God has paid in full all that is owed to purchase your redemption and buy you back or out of the slave market of sin. 

For he (GOD) and not you, hath made him, (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be MADE the righteousness of God, IN HIM, not in you! A simple act of faith, in Jesus, will give you eternal life. You need only to look to him and live. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31. Look and Live, Numbers 21:8, yes, look to Jesus and live eternally. 

Look to self and realize you can never do enough to merit the free gift of eternal life through his perfect righteousness and not your imperfect relative human righteousness.