Joshua Bennett
Jesus died only once, according to the Bible, when he was crucified during what is now celebrated as Good Friday. However, the idea of Jesus dying a second time is a topic of discussion and speculation. Some people believe that Jesus's Ascension into Heaven was a second death, but this is not the case according to Christian theology. The Ascension happened 40 days after Jesus was resurrected, and he was fully alive during this event. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that Jesus's Resurrection was not a return to earthly life, and he walked on earth in a glorified body that would never decay. Instead of dying again, Jesus ascended into Heaven by his own power, returning until his second coming.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times Jesus died | Once |
| Catholic belief about Jesus' death | Catholics believe that Jesus died only once and do not believe that they are physically crucifying and killing Jesus again during Mass |
| The "second death" | The "second death" is the spiritual death that Christians believe happens to non-believers after their physical death |
| Jesus' resurrection | Jesus resurrected and ascended into Heaven while he was fully alive |
| Islamic narrative | It wasn't Jesus that was crucified, but that he ascended to Heaven while alive |
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What You'll Learn
Jesus died only once
The idea of a "second death" is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in Revelation 2:11, 20:14-15, and 21:7-8. This refers to the spiritual death that Christians believe non-believers will experience after physical death, where they are eternally damned to hell and separated from God. However, as the central figure of Christianity, Jesus would not be subjected to this "second death."
In the Gospels, Jesus resurrects several individuals, including Lazarus, by bringing them back to life. However, Jesus' own resurrection is fundamentally different. While those raised by Jesus returned to ordinary earthly life and would eventually die again, Jesus' Resurrection was a transition to a glorified body that would never decay, passing from the state of death to a new life beyond time and space.
The Islamic narrative also differs, as Muslims believe that Jesus ascended to heaven alive and did not die on the cross. According to this perspective, Jesus will return to save mankind from evil.
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The Ascension was not a second death
Jesus died only once, according to scripture. Some people mistakenly believe that Catholics re-crucify Jesus during Mass, but this is incorrect. Catholics honour Jesus' crucifixion during Mass, but they do not believe they are physically killing Jesus again.
The Ascension refers to the event in which Jesus ascended into Heaven after being resurrected. This event is described in the New Testament books of Luke and Acts. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven to be with God the Father. He was fully alive during his Ascension, and it is not considered a second death.
The Ascension is seen as a glorification and exaltation of Jesus following his death and resurrection. It symbolises a new relationship between Jesus, his Father, and his followers, rather than a simple physical relocation from Earth to Heaven. The Ascension is also mentioned in the Apostles' Creed, a profession of faith used for baptism in the early church.
The theological implication of the Ascension is that it was the final redemptive act, allowing all members of Christ to participate in the divine life. Jesus ascended to his kingdom to prepare a place for his followers, promising to return one day to take them with him.
The Ascension is not a second death for Jesus. It is a sacred event where his Humanity "enters" the Divinity, as he returns to his Father in Heaven.
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The second death is spiritual death for non-believers
According to the Bible, Jesus died only once, during his crucifixion on Good Friday. Forty days after his resurrection on Easter Sunday, Jesus ascended into Heaven to be with God. He was fully alive during his ascension and therefore, Christians do not consider it to be a second death.
The concept of the "second death" is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in Revelation 2:11, 20:14, 20:6, and 21:8. It refers to the spiritual death that occurs after physical death for non-believers or those who reject God. This "second death" is described as an eternal separation from God, where the souls of non-believers are cast into the lake of fire, also referred to as Hell. This condition is irreversible and permanent.
It is important to clarify that the "second death" does not apply to believers or those who follow Christ. Believers are destined for a different final destination than those who do not know Christ. The concept of the "second death" serves as a warning to non-believers to seek salvation through Jesus Christ and encourages believers to share their faith.
While the term "second death" may be associated with spiritual death for non-believers, it is not indicative of a physical death that Jesus experienced a second time. Jesus ascended into Heaven alive, and the notion of re-crucifying him during Catholic Mass is a misunderstanding of the sacrament, which is meant to honor and remember Christ's sacrifice.
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Jesus's resurrection was miraculous
Jesus's resurrection was indeed miraculous. The Gospels include several accounts of Jesus's miracles, which can be divided into two main categories: those that affected people, such as healing the blind man of Bethsaida, and those that "controlled nature", such as walking on water.
Jesus's resurrection falls under the category of miracles that affected people, specifically the resurrection of the dead. This miracle is unique in that it happened to Jesus himself, and it is both proof of and the result of the incarnation. If Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, then death could not have conquered him, and he could not have remained in the grave.
Jesus's resurrection is also miraculous because it is an act of God that exceeds the laws of nature to perform a humanly impossible feat, revealing God's power and glory. It is a scientific, historical, and theological truth. Scientifically, a resurrected body involves anatomy, biology, physics, and chemistry. Historically, Jesus's resurrection has more proof than any other miracle in history. And theologically, Christianity would not exist without it.
Jesus's resurrection is also significant because it is a symbol of hope for Christians. It is not just a one-time event but is built into the fabric of creation, seen in the seasons and the life cycles of organisms. It is a powerful reminder of God's love and reconciliation, and it is a testament to the intimate relationship between Jesus and God.
Finally, it is important to note that while some may interpret Catholic Mass as a second sacrifice or "death" of Jesus, this is not the case. Catholics aim to honor and remember Christ's sacrifice during Mass, but they do not believe they are physically crucifying and killing Jesus again.
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Jesus's second coming
Jesus died only once, according to the Bible, when he was crucified on what is now celebrated as Good Friday. The idea that Jesus died a second time is a misconception.
Jesus ascended into Heaven after being resurrected and was fully alive when he ascended. This is not considered a second death by Christians. Catholics do not believe that they are physically crucifying and killing Jesus again during Mass, but rather they aim to honour and remember Christ's sacrifice.
Now, onto the topic of Jesus's second coming.
The Second Coming refers to the Christian and Islamic belief that Jesus Christ will return to Earth after his ascension to Heaven, which is believed to have occurred around two thousand years ago. In Christian eschatology, the Second Coming will be the return of Christ to fulfil the remaining prophecies of the Messiah. In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Servant, and in His second coming, He will be the conquering King, arriving with the armies of heaven at His side.
The timing of the Second Coming is a subject of debate and speculation. Some believe that it will occur somewhere around the year 6,000 after Creation, while others have speculated more specific timeframes such as the year 2033 AD, based on interpretations of prophetic passages in the Bible. However, it is important to note that the exact day or hour cannot be calculated, and God has stated that no one will know the exact time of Christ's return.
The Second Coming is associated with the Last Judgment and is believed to be a sudden and unmistakable incident. Orthodox Christians hold the view that Jesus will not spend time on earth but will come to judge mankind. The Methodist denominations differ in their interpretations, with the United Methodist Church denying the concept of a "rapture" and the Evangelical Methodist Church Conference teaching that Christ's coming will be personal and pre-millennial.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Jesus did not die a second time. According to the Bible, Jesus only died once during his crucifixion on Good Friday. His resurrection and ascension into Heaven, while alive, are not considered a second death.
The Catholic Mass is a traditional church service that symbolically honours and remembers Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. However, Catholics do not believe that they are physically crucifying and killing Jesus again during the Mass.
The "second death" refers to the spiritual death that Christians believe non-believers will experience after their physical death, resulting in eternal damnation and separation from God. As the central figure of Christianity, Jesus did not suffer this fate.
Some Muslims and other religious groups believe that Jesus did not die on the cross but ascended to Heaven alive. They hold that he will return to save mankind from evil.
