When preparing for this month’s blog post, I ask God to show me what He wanted me to bring to His people. I started a paper about unity but, the Spirit brought something else to my spirit, something that I had been studying earlier this past week. It was something that I always had a question on, and those that I posed this question to were never truly able to answer it. My question is found in Revelation 20:12 (NKJV) “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”
Now I bet you can just about guess what my question is; what are the BOOKS that Rev. 20:12 is speaking about? Many times I have questions during my Bible study time, and God so graciously leads me in His Word to bring me wisdom and understanding. Let’s pray and then get started, Father, I ask that you give me the ability to translate what you have shown me in your Word to your people. I ask that you open their understanding, remove all hindrances and the hardness of heart and help those who do not believe, to come to believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I thank you Father In Jesus name, amen.
The ungodly the unbelieving…
I must start here, because many will die a horrific death at the Judgment seat of God call the Great White Throne Judgment. I need to stress how important it is to make a choice to receive Christ as your savior now, before it’s too late. Many of us know of someone, be it family or friends or acquaintances, that need to hear about Jesus and what He did for all of us on the cross. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Cor. 6:2 (KJV)
The enemy is going from place to place like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Yes, we are faced with strife, idolatry, murders, drunkenness, witchcraft and much more, but they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). There is much more that we can say, but I need you to understand that when these books are open we will not be able to defend ourselves or give a just cause for the actions that we had taken while on earth.
The Great white throne judgment, is the ultimate encounter with God that man will face. It is a time of accountability and know this, the judgment is only for the unbeliever, those who have rejected Christ, those great and small all because of their rejection and continuous rebellion against the everything that God stands for.
"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28-29 (NASB)
The Bible gives us a great many scriptures to study about the coming judgments and resurrection of Saints who have passed on, even those who have done evil will be resurrected to appear the White Throne judgment. Consider and study the following Scriptures:
It’s truly important to have a good study Bible, even though there are great resources on the internet that can be utilized as well. I have found in my study Bible the names of many books that will one day be open. Each book represents us, our deeds or doings, our words, our sins (the unsaved), even the hardness and stubbornness of our hearts. I encourage you to study each scripture, and take it even further with more scriptures, dig for the gold and don’t let the lies of this world lead you into destruction.
“For God will bring every judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:14)
“if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15).
"As a person comes forward he or she will be judged by the book of the law, by the Lamb’s book of life, and by the deeds done in the flesh taken from the books of human works" (T. LaHaye). There are those whose name is written in the book of life and those who are not, for God is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
There are three reasons for not having one’s name in the Book of Life:
At the moment of judgment, the books are open. They represent God’s judgment, and in them are recorded the deeds of everyone, good or evil. We are not saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God. The Book of Life contains the names of those who have put their trust in Christ. (NLT Comm)
Christ took the curse of the law upon himself when he hung on the cross, He did this so we wouldn’t have to bear our own punishment. The only condition is that we accept Christ’s death on our behalf as the means to be saved. When this is done our names are eternally written in the Lambs book of life.
If there is anyone that you know of who gives one excuse after the other for not receiving Christ as their Savior, lift them to God in prayer. Seek God for the right words or ask Him to send someone who can get the message to that loved one. Saints, never stop praying for the unsaved, this is so important and soon the day will come when all chances and opportunities will be gone. God Bless
Chosen2Prayer
Now I bet you can just about guess what my question is; what are the BOOKS that Rev. 20:12 is speaking about? Many times I have questions during my Bible study time, and God so graciously leads me in His Word to bring me wisdom and understanding. Let’s pray and then get started, Father, I ask that you give me the ability to translate what you have shown me in your Word to your people. I ask that you open their understanding, remove all hindrances and the hardness of heart and help those who do not believe, to come to believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I thank you Father In Jesus name, amen.
The ungodly the unbelieving…
I must start here, because many will die a horrific death at the Judgment seat of God call the Great White Throne Judgment. I need to stress how important it is to make a choice to receive Christ as your savior now, before it’s too late. Many of us know of someone, be it family or friends or acquaintances, that need to hear about Jesus and what He did for all of us on the cross. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Cor. 6:2 (KJV)
The enemy is going from place to place like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Yes, we are faced with strife, idolatry, murders, drunkenness, witchcraft and much more, but they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). There is much more that we can say, but I need you to understand that when these books are open we will not be able to defend ourselves or give a just cause for the actions that we had taken while on earth.
The Great white throne judgment, is the ultimate encounter with God that man will face. It is a time of accountability and know this, the judgment is only for the unbeliever, those who have rejected Christ, those great and small all because of their rejection and continuous rebellion against the everything that God stands for.
"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28-29 (NASB)
The Bible gives us a great many scriptures to study about the coming judgments and resurrection of Saints who have passed on, even those who have done evil will be resurrected to appear the White Throne judgment. Consider and study the following Scriptures:
- [they that have done evil] The wicked will be resurrected to eternal punishment and damnation 1,000 years after the resurrection of the righteous (Jn. 5:29; Dan. 12:2; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:4-6,11-15; 21:8; 22:15).
- [they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life] The righteous that "have done good" (Jn. 5:29); that are "blessed and holy" (Rev. 20:4-6); that "are Christ's" (1Cor. 15:23,51-58; Gal. 5:24); that are "worthy" (Lk. 21:36); that are "in Christ" (1Th. 4:16-17; 2Cor. 5:17); that are in "the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn. 14:1-6); that have purified themselves "even as He is pure" (1Jn. 3:2-3; cp. 2Cor. 7:1; Gal. 5:16-24; Heb. 12:14); that are without spot or wrinkle and without blemish and are in the church, the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:27; 1Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:18,24) -- these will be resurrected to eternal life 1,000 years before the wicked (Jn. 5:29; Dan. 12:2).
It’s truly important to have a good study Bible, even though there are great resources on the internet that can be utilized as well. I have found in my study Bible the names of many books that will one day be open. Each book represents us, our deeds or doings, our words, our sins (the unsaved), even the hardness and stubbornness of our hearts. I encourage you to study each scripture, and take it even further with more scriptures, dig for the gold and don’t let the lies of this world lead you into destruction.
- The book of life / of the living (Exd.32:33; Ps. 69:28; 139:16; Rev. 20:15 ) – the names of all the living; even the names of the righteous are here; names can be blotted out:
- “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Exodus 32:33 (KJV)
- The book of law (Gal 3:10 )- those who seek salvation by the works of the law are under the curse of the law
- Lambs book of life (Dan. 12:1-2; Rev. 21:27) – the names of all who have received His eternal life; names can never be blotted out; those who refused Him or did not believe in Him are not here (Rev. 13:8);
- Book of remembrance (Mal. 3:16); when men begin to fear the Lord. At that time God hearkens; He hears their conversation of reverence; and a book of remembrance is written for them.
- The book of works/deeds (Rev. 20:12-13) – the dead will be judge according to what they had done as recorded in the book. The thoughts and intents of the heart are recorded here, whether good or bad.
“For God will bring every judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccl. 12:14)
“if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15).
"As a person comes forward he or she will be judged by the book of the law, by the Lamb’s book of life, and by the deeds done in the flesh taken from the books of human works" (T. LaHaye). There are those whose name is written in the book of life and those who are not, for God is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
There are three reasons for not having one’s name in the Book of Life:
- Sinning against God
- Not being clothed in the righteousness of Christ – salvation
- And for taking away from the word of the book of this prophecy – Rev. 22: 19
At the moment of judgment, the books are open. They represent God’s judgment, and in them are recorded the deeds of everyone, good or evil. We are not saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God. The Book of Life contains the names of those who have put their trust in Christ. (NLT Comm)
Christ took the curse of the law upon himself when he hung on the cross, He did this so we wouldn’t have to bear our own punishment. The only condition is that we accept Christ’s death on our behalf as the means to be saved. When this is done our names are eternally written in the Lambs book of life.
If there is anyone that you know of who gives one excuse after the other for not receiving Christ as their Savior, lift them to God in prayer. Seek God for the right words or ask Him to send someone who can get the message to that loved one. Saints, never stop praying for the unsaved, this is so important and soon the day will come when all chances and opportunities will be gone. God Bless
Chosen2Prayer