"The spiritual death culminates in eternal death, eternal separation from God, eternal ruin of the soul, unless one comes to know God: 'Them that know not God . . . shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and the glory of his might' (2 Thess. 1:8-9), (J. Clyde Turner, These Things We Believe, Nashville: Convention Press, 1956) 57.The meaning of death, thanatou, as found in the Greek New Testament, is essentially separation. It is used in three different ways in the Bible:
(1) Spiritual Death. Those who don't know God, in a personal relationship through Christ, are considered spiritually dead, separated from a real relationship with God (Ephesians 2:1). It is illustrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son. When the rebellious son returned to his father's house, and confessed his unworthiness to still be the father's son, the father rejoiced and received him, saying,"For this my son was dead and is alive again" (Luke 15:24). He was separated from the father and now he has returned. They are reconciled and together. That's a beautiful picture of reconciliation with God our Father. We were spiritually dead, separated, and now we are alive in our relationship with the Father.
(2) Physical Death. This is yet another type of separation. It is separation of the soul from the body. "For as the soul without the body is dead" (James 2:26). We are absent from the body in physical death (2 Corinthians 5:8). The spirit of a person departs from the body. The apostle Paul faced his own death, saying, ". . . having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better" (Philippians 1:23).
(3) Eternal Death. This is everlasting separation from God. It is separation from "the face of the Lord and the glory of his might" (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). This is the judgment of those who wilfully reject the grace of God in Christ (Revelation 20:14-15). The separation is forever. Christ came that we might have abundant life (John 10:10). This is spiritual life, a quality of life in relationship with God. It is referred to as eternal life (John 17:3). It has been said, "He who is born twice must die only once." That is to say, he who is born of the flesh and the Spirit will only face physical death. It is also said, "He who is born only once must die twice." That is physical death followed by eternal death.
