William Perkins on Revelation 2:11

Verse. 11. Let him that hath an eare heare what the Spirit sayth vnto the Churches▪ he that ouercommeth, shall not bee hurt of the second death.

These words containe the last part of this Epistle: namely, the Conclusion. Wherein obserue generally, as also in the two next verses, that Christ repeateth the same things which he spake before in this and the former chapters, yea, in the very same words. This must bee considered, because it is done by Christ, who is the doctor of his church; whose example both for matter and manner of teaching must bee our rule and precept. The like did the Apostles: It grieued not Paule to write the same things, Phil. 3.1. And Peter sayth vnto the dispersed Church,2. Pet. [illegible: 1 letter].12 That he will often put them in mind of the same things before his departing, wherein they had knowledge and were established. Hereby all the Ministers of the gospell in their Ministerie haue warrant, often to teach and repeat the same points of doctrine, euen in the same words. Yea, Gods faithfull Minister may preach the same Sermon oftentimes, if hee doe it not for ease to himselfe, but for the benefit of the people. And therefore if any hearer of Gods word shall at any time marke the Minister to deliuer the same things often; he is not curiously to find fault with his Ministerie, for by that reason they may find fault with Christ, who seuen times repeateth the same things vnto these churches.

This Conclusion hath two parts: a Commaundement, and a Promise: The words of this commaundement haue beene expounded in the seuenth verse, with the doctrines and vses thereof: yet here is to bee obserued what the spirit commendeth thus seriously to our hearing. The things are three, which were handled in the former verses. First, touching Gods prouidence, that hee seeth and regardeth the tribulations of his church. The second, touching triall: that Gods church and people ought beforehand to consider of the day of visitation, and thereby arme themselues with courage against all afflictions, that they suffer not themselues to bee ouermuch daunted with any feare. The third touching faithfulnesse: Gods people must consider what promises they haue made to God in baptisme, namely, to keepe faith, true religion, and good conscience vnto the end; and these they must performe vnto death. These things being so carefully commended vnto vs by Christ, wee must labour to haue them engrauen in our hearts, that we may practise them in our liues. And to incite vs hereunto, wee must marke the two reasons contained in the words. First, because the Spirit of Christ speaketh to vs. Secondly, because they concerne all Churches, (though principally they were spoken to the church of Smyrna) and therefore none may seeke excuse to exempt himselfe from learning and obeying these things.

The Promise, Hee that ouercommeth shall not be hurt of the second death. Of the meanes of ouercomming, we haue spoken in the seuenth verse. By second death is meant the condemnation of the soule and bodie for euer and euer. For there be two kinds of death mentioned in Scripture: The first is the separation of bodie and soule asunder at the end of this life: The second is, when soule and bodie both are s[illegible: 2 letters]ered for euer from Gods comfortable presence, Reu. 21.8. This second death is expounded to bee an abode in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. The meaning therefore of the promise is this; that they which ouercome, thogh they may suffer the first death, yet they shall neuer suffer damnation: their soule and bodie may be seuered one from the other for a time, but neither soule nor bodie shall euer be seuered from God to goe into that lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. Which is a most gracious and happy promise.

Here first marke to whome this promise is made, namely, To them that ouercome. Where learne, that it is not sufficient for a man to professe and approoue, or to teach the doctrine of the gospell: but withall he must ioyne a fight against himselfe, against sinne, the world, the deuill, and against all the enemies of his saluation, and not suffer them to raigne ouer him, but so fight, as by Gods grace hee may ouercome; and then shall the second death neuer hurt him. It is nothing to professe, if we still liue in sinne: and therefore wee must not content our selues with knowledge, but labour to feele in our hearts such power of grace, as will make vs truly to say we are conquerours ouer our spirituall enemies. This is that blessed state of all those, vnto whom life euerlasting belongeth, who shall neuer taste of the second death.

Secondly, here is answered a great question, which euery mans conscience will mooue vnto him; namely, How may I scape the second death, that lake that burneth with fire and brimstone? Answ. Thou must in this life truely turne vnto God from all thine euill wayes, renounce thy selfe, and put all thine affiance in Christ his death and passion; and euermore labour to keepe true religion, faith, and good conscience vnto death in all estates. This doe, and though thou tast of the first, yet the second death shall neuer touch thee.

Thirdly, hereby Christ giueth vs to vnderstand, that of the two deaths the second is the worser. The bodily death is terrible vnto Nature; but the second is the proper death indeed, the destruction of the creature in soule and bodie eternally. And yet behold the madnesse of man, who feareth greatly the first death, and regardeth nothing the burning lake; like vnto little children that feare their owne shaddowes, and yet are not afraid of fire and water, that will burne and drowne thē. This is mans miserable estate, through the blindnesse of his mind, & the hardnesse of his heart.