In the Revelation of St. John the Divine, the Amplified Bible uses
the words “cowardly submissive” to describe some of those who will
“have their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This
is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
The following scripture from James 4:17 appears to relate to the one
above:
17. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not
do it, to him it is sin.
~ New American Standard Bible
Here’s an example in which the two scriptures have a bearing: A child
is brought up in a family of hunters and begins to realize the suffering
caused by this long-standing “family tradition.” He or she realizes that
the right thing to do is to stop hunting and, as far as possible, to
peacefully change this tradition. To continue to hunt in order to avoid
criticism, or even ostracism, would be “cowardly submissive”; and since
he or she knows that the “right thing to do” is to stop killing and
maiming, “to him [or her] it is a sin” if he or she chooses to continue.
This is only one example. Life is full of opportunities for making
the right choices that will bring creation just a bit closer to God’s
original intent when, as Isaiah 11:9 says –
9. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
As the waters cover the sea.
~ New American Standard Bible
