Cowards won't get to Heaven

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Nelka

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Revelation 21:8 But the legacy for cowards, for those who break their word, or worship obscenities, for murderers and the sexually immoral, and for sorcerers, worshippers of false gods or any other sort of liars, is the second death in the burning lake of sulphur.’

How is cowards used here?

How are they lumped in with murderers etc?

Thanks.
 
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, they shall have their portion in the pool burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Douy Reims

That helps us see that it’s addressing those who “fear” living their faith. Not fear that their faith may bring persecution but fear ever talking about their faith because it’s uncomfortable.

Note, this is different than not wanting to prostelize, and would likely be those who fear answering “yes” to being a Catholic.

Here’s a good example. My very liberal co-workers decided they wanted to get married in the church and I told them about a good Pre-cana. At lunch, in mixed company, they began to laugh at NFP. Even though I could answer some of the things, I directed them to speak to the teachers because I feel that discussing periods, libido and sex in mixed company is tasteless, no matter how “progressive” our society is. So, in short, it is not wrong to act in prudence. But it would have been cowardly for me to join in them laughing at NFP.
 
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Cowards are those who know what they are required to do and choose not to do it out of fear of persecution, especially those who deny Christ in the face of persecution. “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
 
Nelka said:
Revelation 21:8 But the legacy for cowards, for those who break their word, or worship obscenities, for murderers and the sexually immoral, and for sorcerers, worshippers of false gods or any other sort of liars, is the second death in the burning lake of sulphur.’

How is cowards used here?

How are they lumped in with murderers etc?

Thanks.
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Simply stated, it takes courage to do the right thing in life; it takes courage to love, and love is the heart and soul of justice for man, that which makes us right in God’s eyes.
 
Interestingly, there is no direct object used in the sentence. The Greek uses word endings consisting of indirect objects and ends the point in the nominative.

In my opinion, it seems like it is saying that the second death is the legacy for fear-driven people. Those who served mammon, vis., the power of the world, the lot that fears a contradiction of ego or loss of money.
 
Cornelius a Lapide, The Great Commentary, Revelation, Section 21:8 –
“And the fearful.” (“Timidos autem.”) In Greek, “delois.” That is, “spiritless, fainthearted, cowardly.” He calls some “fearful,” therefore:

First, those who leave in persecutions because of fear, and those who yield and agree to tyranny, not being willing to put up with suffering. Second, those who dread to attack the strength of their own desires of the flesh. Third, those who recoil in terror from Satan’s temptations and assaults. For this horror grows horror in them – not so much at the harshness and dread of the thing itself, but a fear and faintheartedness in the mind and heart.

Seneca was right to say, “We do not dare to act because things are difficult; but things are difficult because we do not dare to act.”
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It goes on for quite a bit after this. Cornelius’ uncle was a martyr for the Faith, so he probably felt strongly about this.
 
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Here’s the other side from Cornelius:
Tertullian wrongly says in his book “On Flight from Persecution,” Chapter 9, section 3, that he took “the fearful” to mean those of the faithful who flee and hide themselves from persecution; and therefore, he argues that this passage proves that it is not lawful for Christians to flee persecution. And so he says, "Who will flee from persecution but one who fears? Who will be afraid but one who has not loved [God]?

Truly, this is his error. For Christ advised His disciples to flee – indeed, He ordered it – in Matthew 10:23. “And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another,” He says.

And this is not being timid, but prudent and strong. St. Athanasius, struggling busily against nearly the whole world being Arian for 46 years, was the strongest of men; and yet his life was such that he spent it continually running and hiding.
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Thank you. I needed to read your reply. It brought light.
 
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You’re welcome! Looking things up for the forums teaches me a lot!
 
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