People who say, “I don’t want anything to do with God,” will one day get exactly what they’ve chosen. In the end, they will be separated from God forever. This will be the worst kind of pain—not physical, but spiritual and emotional.
The Bible describes it using the image of a burning lake of fire, called the second death. This fire shows the intense suffering of a soul cut off from God’s love, mercy, and grace for all eternity Polycarp A Brave Leader of the Church in Smyrna.
A Promise from Jesus
Jesus gives a clear and hopeful message:
If you listen to His words and trust Him during hard times—especially when facing pressure or persecution—you will receive eternal life. You don’t need to be afraid of God’s judgment. You will be safe forever from the second death Local Ephesus Tour Guides.
This is what the Apostle Paul was celebrating in Romans 8:
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord—not death or life, not angels or demons, not the present or the future, not any powers, not anything in all creation.” (Romans 8:38–39 NIV)
All Christians Are Called to Be Faithful Until Death
Every Christian is called to stay faithful to Jesus until the end of their life, no matter how or when death comes. That’s part of what it means to follow Him.
This might sound surprising, but the author even jokes that if he could choose how to die, he’d choose something quick—like a sudden heart attack or even being beheaded—because it would be fast and (probably) painless!
The point is this: there is nothing to fear in death if you belong to Jesus. He gives courage and peace to those who are faithful, even in death.
The Message to the Church in Pergamum
Jesus now speaks to another church—the church in Pergamum:
“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.” (Revelation 2:12–13)
Jesus praises this church for staying loyal to Him, even though they lived in a very evil place. One of their members, Antipas, was even killed for his faith, but they didn’t give up or deny Jesus.
