the book of life
"And I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from His presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. Then death and Hades [the realm of the dead] were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire [the eternal separation from God]. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire."
Revelation 20:11-12, 14-15
The lone Apostle whom Jesus loved said that, “ he saw the dead gathered together for this monumental event. He saw the great and small, meaning the rich and famous, and also the small, meaning the poor/paupers. The greatest musicians, athletes, actors, political figures, kings, world leaders and also lowly people who were unheard of. He saw a vast number of resurrected dead people (spiritually dead) throughout the history of the world gathered together for one reason. Judgement. Now this is what the Bible calls, “The Great White Throne Judgement.” A future appointed time and site in which unbelievers from all generations will be judged by God. The great philosopher, Tupac, prophetically once said, "Only God can Judge me.” He was definitely correct. Only God, the Holy, Omnipotent, Pure and perfect God, can properly and precisely judge us for who we truly are and what we've done or failed to do, because He is is the Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer... The text goes on to say that, The Books were opened…. My Lord…Here, you have the Books and the Book of Life. The Books records the people’s deeds, by which their levels of judgement will be determined, since their names will not be shown in the Book of Life. The Book of Life lists those who have trusted Christ (and have been Born-again spiritually, JOHN 3:3) as Savior and been credited with His imputed righteousness. And quick note, ALL HUMANITY HAS SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF GOD’s PERFECT STANDARD (ROMANS 3:23). Technically we all deserve judgement (eternal separation/condemnation/wrath from God). We were all dead in our trespasses and sins, deceived, living in fellowship with satan, walking in the ways of this fallen world. (Eph. 2)- BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE THAT HE HAD FOR US, MADE US ALIVE WITH CHRIST EVEN THOUGH WE WERE DEAD IN OUR SINS. IT IS ONLY BY GODS GRACE WE’RE SAVED AND SEALED BY HIS SPIRIT FOREVER. Now quickly back to the judgement of the dead. These are the people who DID NOT ACCEPT CHRIST during their earthly life (John 3:36). They are being judged by the FAITHFUL and TRUE JUDGE, who died because of His love for them and to provide a way of escape from sin and eternal punishment (John 3:16-18). Those assembled at the Great White Throne REJECTED JESUS’ redemptive work and His gracious invitation to believe on Him for everlasting life (John 6:37). His grace appeared to them surely (Titus 2:11), but they chose not to repent or take Jesus’s sacrifice seriously. Jesus, the Judge at the Great White Throne, showed us our worth by dying for our sins while we were His enemies. So therefore, He is the only One worthy to Judge US, as He came into the world He created (John 1:3), lived perfectly without sin (2 Cor 5:21), then died a death we deserve (Luke 23:41). It is why He’s the only One whose worthy to Judge all of humanity throughout history:
Revelation 5:2-10
[2] And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” [3] But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. [4] Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. [5] But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” [6] Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven-fold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. [7] He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. [8] And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. [9] And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth.”
Beloved, the last part of the Scripture tells us about “The Lake of Fire.” Revelation 20:10 tells us about this place: “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Verses 14-15 states that, “Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the 2nd death, the lake of fire (first death is physical, 2nd death is eternal separation from God). And anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the Lake of Fire.
So the spiritually dead will be judged by their works recorded in the books. They will be found guilty because we are all guilty before God. They refused to believe only Truth that could save them. But God’s grace was poured out on the guilty ones (you and me) who gave their lives to Jesus Christ in sincerity.
“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out His Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ (Glory!). Because of His grace he made us right in His sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” -Titus 3:4-7
The reason why true Christians preach the Gospel to the whole world about Christ is because we know what is to come! We have read the prophetic Scriptures! We are witnesses and servants of God! And the Love of God has been poured out in our hearts (Romans 5:5; Psalm 42:8)....We're compelled and controlled by it (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). We understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord. The wages of our sin is death and judgement, eternal separation from God.... But the free gift of God is eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood! -Romans 3:22-25
So, proclaim this glorious gospel, beloved.
DO NOT FEAR THE FACES OF MEN. Fear God and worship Him alone! He is the God of your Lifetime (Isaiah 46:4 NLT) and the Lover of your soul! He knew you, loved you, chose you, and set you apart even before the foundation of the World...He himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds, we are healed, redeemed, empowered.” Do His will with all the passion and creativity the Holy Spirit provides.
This blog is written with my own hands to urge all unbelievers to repent of sin and trust in Jesus Christ. He is the only way we can be saved… It is also written to encourage the saints all over the world: My brothers and sisters in Christ. Be of one mind and purpose. Focus on Jesus. Pursue His presence daily. Pray without ceasing. Rejoice always. Strengthen what remains....All power, honor, and Glory belongs to our God, forever..!
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
- Andrew Dikas