Exploring the meaning of DEATH, in the letter to Smyrna, the second of the seven churches of Revelation, chapter 2, verses 8-11.

“… there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28 [Mk 9:1, Lk 9:27])

“Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (John 8:51)

How can Jesus say that? Either, He was wrong or meant something entirely different than the death of the physical body.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” (1 John 3:14)

Helps us look at the OT in a new light: those passages which we might have taken literally about death take on new significance.

What do we mean, then, by “death”? Paul answers:

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. … For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:6,13)

When we talk about “Death” in the Bible, it is living a life directed by the piece of meat that is my physical body! And what about “I know your … poverty (but you are rich)”

Materially, you can’t be poor AND rich at the same time. But what about spiritually, …?

“A man who is in the affection of truth from a spiritual origin knows many more things than he knew before; for the general knowledges that he has are like vessels that can be filled with many things, and they are also actually filled when he comes into heaven.” (Apocalypse Explained, paragraph 112, Section 5)

Naturally focused people are concerned for the great number of knowledges they possess. But the spiritually focussed person is concerned for what can FILL those knowledges. He has a great many vessels, but sees that they stand empty.