SYMBOLISM OF JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION
Christians make a big deal out of Jesus’ death and resurrection. They do this, however, without understanding that this story is is only symbolically represents the second death.

STUDY TIP: See Death, Resurrection, New Life, Salvation, Forgiveness, Heaven and Hell for understanding of death.

The story of Jesus’ death is a perfect example of the second death. Jesus died the first death when he was baptized by the holy spirit. It was on that day that he received the anointing to speak for God and became a messiah. From that day forward, he embarked on his ministry of a servant, laying down his spiritual life for others who are still imprisoned by religion.

Whereas resurrection from the first death is a one-time event, resurrection from the second death is an ongoing process. When Jesus told his disciples to “carry their cross” he meant that doing so was an ongoing activity — not a unique, singular event.  We know this because Paul, a follower of Jesus,talks about constant, daily death and persecution. The psalmist talks about being killed all day long, and Jesus warned that his followers would be persecuted. These are all examples of an ongoing, second death. This second death is what is represented in the so-called easter story.

The prospect of daily death sounds like bad news for followers of Jesus. They should not be surprised, however, because he plainly told his followers that they would suffer persecution and tribulation — which are other terms to describe the second death. Daily death would be bad news except that, when we look at the example of Jesus, we see that he was raised from the dead twice. He was first raised from the death of practicing religion when he was baptized/anointed to speak for God. And he was given new life again after all of his sufferings and persecutions which are symbolically represented in resurrection from physical death on a physical cross.

Because Christians interpret the Bible literally, they make a very big deal about Jesus’ death and resurrection. They see those events as unique to Jesus and do not consider that to be a follower of Jesus would mean that they would also suffer persecution and death like he did. Their theology of “following” breaks down at this point because they interpret his death and resurrection literally — not symbolically. If they could interpret it symbolically, and if they could understand his command to “lay down your life for your friends,” they would understand the concept of the second death: The slow, ongoing effects of persecution, insult and tribulation that all New Covenant disciples are guaranteed to endure are the fulfillment of Jesus predictions. They give a much weightier meaning of what it means to “follow” Jesus.

STUDY TIP: See POST-RAPTURE TRIBULATION for more about the second death. Also see Second Death.

This process explains how Jesus’ followers can follow him in every way — including death on a cross. Death on a physical cross is a symbolic representation of all the various kinds of persecutions inflicted on Jesus by religious people. Jesus’ followers will experience the same kinds of persecution, and, just as Jesus was raised from death, they will be raised from death with power to do greater things as they continue Jesus’ ministry functions.