Read Revelation 2:11.
There is nothing worse in all of time, in all of eternity, in all of suffering and torment and pain; there is nothing worse that we can even imagine than this: the second death.
The second death… makes one wonder what the first death was. The first death could refer to the outcome of Adam’s sin whereby all mankind died a spiritual death. While this is true, the first death would here probably mean physical death as alluded to in v. 10. Therefore, the “second death” is a death that comes after our physical death. We are fortunate enough to have this second death defined for us in Rev. 20:14, called the “lake of fire”. The lake of fire is the ultimate destiny of all whose names are not written in the book of Life. We know it more commonly as “hell”. Those who do not have eternal life will experience eternal death in hell. There is no worse place to be than hell.
The promise of protection from this second death is given to those who “overcome”. This speaks of the perseverance of those who are truly God’s chosen ones. Those who overcome the hardships and persecutions of this life will experience not a second death, but eternal life. And what of those who do not overcome? It would appear that those who do not persevere to the end will experience the second death. The mark of true believers is perseverance to the finish not because they have some strength on their own, but because God dwells within them in the person of the Holy Spirit, who will not allow His true children to fall away (Eph. 1:13-14). This is not said to the church at Smyrna as a warning, but as an encouragement to their faithful commitment to the Lord – they will be protected. The same is true for those who are truly His children. If you are His child, then know that you will protected from the coming day when all evil will be thrown into the lake of fire forever out of God’s presence. That will surely be a blessed day!
But let me ask you, will you be protected from the second death? Are you His child with the assurance of overcoming? If your answer is no, consider what awaits those who are not His. Give your life to Christ by accepting His death for your sins and following after Him. It is the most important decision anyone could make because as you can see, the consequences couldn’t be worse. Give Him your life today by believing Jesus Christ died for your sins, that He rose from the dead, and that you want to live a life pleasing to Him. Take a moment and have a little conversation with God and tell Him these things. You will never die to regret that decision.