Read Revelation 19-22
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books….If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. - Revelation 20:12, 15, NIV
In an age where people do not want to be held accountable, it is sobering to realize that there will be a judgment. This passage mentions “books” (plural) and “book” (singular). The person who trusts and obeys Christ has his name written in the “book of life”. See also Luke 14:20, Phil 4:3, Rev 3:5.
But to him who fails to bow the knee to the son, who rejects God’s chosen One, his deeds, written in the books (plural) of deeds, will be opened by Christ. If the lost argue, then a third book will be opened. “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day” (John 12:48). God’s word is the plumb line, the straight edge, by which the unsaved are measured. I am grateful that on April 23, 1939 I was “baptized into Christ and was clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
I am grateful that I don’t have to face the “books”, but as Jesus says: “he that believeth hath eternal life and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life” (John 5:24 (RV)). I’ve been acquitted and clothed and on my way to the wedding (Rev 21:2). What a day that will be!
- Dr. Wayne Bigelow serves as the Seniors Pastor at Adventure Church
