Gnostics: second death? (moral, gospel, tradition, doom, soul)

[Moni_Gail]

I know that many fundamentalists believe the second death to be your soul going to hell. As a Gnostic, what does this term signify to you?

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by Moni_Gail

I know that many fundamentalists believe the second death to be your soul going to hell. As a Gnostic, what does this term signify to you?

Not a lot to me i'm afraid Monica. What about you?

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by Moni_Gail

I know that many fundamentalists believe the second death to be your soul going to hell. As a Gnostic, what does this term signify to you?

doesnt mean squat to me either

where did you get this?

[Moni_Gail]

Give me some time. I know there's several references to it, but I want to make my post as complete as possible. It will have to be tomorrow some time. My son is up and fussy (teething), so it looks like my hands are going to be full this evening.

ETA: There's quite a few Biblical verses regarding it, and a few in Gospel of Thomas (I think). Don't worry, you'll get direct quotes and verse numbers!

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by Moni_Gail

Give me some time. I know there's several references to it, but I want to make my post as complete as possible. It will have to be tomorrow some time. My son is up and fussy (teething), so it looks like my hands are going to be full this evening.

ETA: There's quite a few Biblical verses regarding it, and a few in Gospel of Thomas (I think). Don't worry, you'll get direct quotes and verse numbers!

it's all good

I'll look it up tonight too

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by Moni_Gail

I know that many fundamentalists believe the second death to be your soul going to hell. As a Gnostic, what does this term signify to you?

It's been a while since I read both canonical and gnostic bibles.

Theoretically,
I would interpret Yaldabaoth as the the material, finite, amoral, objective and fake/illusive projection of God: the unguided and unconscious creative forces of nature and the physical universe. I interpret satan as the destructive aspect of the physical universe, suffering, and the imperfections within humanity: self gratificatoin, self deception, and especially human selfishness as a collective destructive force.

I would interpret the second death as some sort of end to physical manifestation itself, the elimination of satan, the perishing of the perishables. I would not interpret it as eternal condemnation of souls, despite the statement in revelations that those not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire.

But of course, I wouldn't really know, it's just my guess.

[Godfather89]

Hell... Hell is different than what those fundamentalist promise you if you don't listen to them and what they say. Hell can be found in two places in my understanding as a Gnostic:

First of all it can be placed right in front of you, Hell is the belief and acceptance of the of the cleverly designed lie that there is separation between you and God. Hell is the state of being in a complete state of negativity (Eg: depression, ignorance, engagement in the seven deadly sins). That is hell its where the dead are according to Christ. To Christ the Dead are those who focus outside of themselves and are in negativity.

Secondly Hell as an afterlife state is IMO, is being ashamed of the unforgiven acts of negativity you inflicted upon yourself and others in life. You go to hell not for eternal damnation but rather as a place to grieve. Fire is symbolic as transformation, in hell you learn your lessons and realize the negativity you did while alive and grieve for your actions. When you are truly ready thats when God takes you to heaven... Of course, in Gnostic tradition if you know yourself your taken back to the Fullness, if you are still in ignorance than you are doomed to a cycle of rebirths in the world until you know yourself.