Revelation 2:11 Meaning and Explanation
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The letter to Smyrna closes with the Spirit's call and a promise: the one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.
What Does Revelation 2:11 Mean?
The closing summons repeats: let the one with ears listen to what the Spirit says. To a church facing martyrdom, the promise meets their deepest fear directly. Though some may die in the first death, the one who overcomes will never be touched by the second death, the ultimate ruin beyond the grave.
There is a death worse than the body's, and there is a safety deeper than survival. Those who remain faithful to Christ pass through physical death untouched by that final loss. The promise turns the believer's gaze past the executioner to the One who holds the keys of death itself. What looks like defeat becomes, in Him, unassailable victory.
Revelation 2:11 in the Original Language
thanatos (θάνατος), 'death' -- the cessation of life; here the "second death" names a final and lasting ruin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 2:11
What does Revelation 2:11 mean?
The letter to Smyrna closes with the Spirit's call and a promise: the one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.