This past week, many remembrances and ceremonies surrounded the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Among the memorials which occurred was the reading of the names of those who died in the attacks. Admittedly, I did not spend much time watching the television coverage of the day's events, but did for a short time sit and listen to the reading of these names. They were not just 'names', these were people -- real people. After watching for a time, I went to my study, still within earshot of the television. As the names continued, the text for our article this week came to mind; as a day will come when another list of names will be called out, these however, for a glorious and eternally happy cause.

John provides a beautiful commentary on the judgment scene. Let us use a few moments to consider Revelation 20:11-15:

THEN I SAW A GREAT WHITE THRONE AND HIM WHO SAT ON IT, FROM WHOSE FACE THE EARTH AND THE HEAVEN FLED AWAY. AND THERE WAS FOUND NO PLACE FOR THEM. (Revelation 20:11)

The glory and majesty of the Lord's throne is emphasized in the words given. It is not merely "a throne", but "a great white throne". It surpasses all other thrones in greatness, because it is the throne of the Almighty. It is the throne of the Creator, Sustainer, Savior and Judge. "White" implies the purity of the judgment that proceeds forth from the One on the throne. He shows no partiality (Acts 10:34-35; 1 Peter 1:17). His judgment is righteous, it is pure, it is holy, it is perfect.

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. THE SEA GAVE UP THE DEAD WHO WERE IN IT, AND DEATH AND HADES DELIVERED UP THE DEAD WHO WERE IN THEM. AND THEY WERE JUDGED, EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS. (Revelation 20:12-13)

The judgment is an appointment that all souls will keep, both the righteous and the wicked, from the time of Adam to the coming of Christ. Jesus said, "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth --- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (John 5:28-29). All will be before the Lord, the mighty and the weak, the rich and the poor -- everyone.

Books will be opened on that day. The thought is quite amazing, and very sobering. The Lord has various books which will be opened. The gospel of Christ will certainly be open that day, it being the law by which we are judged (John 12:48). Further to this, the Lord has books which are the record of our lives, books of remembrance for the deeds of the righteous and wicked (Psalms 56:8; 139:4, 16; Malachi 3:16). It is as though God has kept a diary of my life and your life, reserved for the time of judgement, where it will be used as evidence of our conduct while on this earth. The works which we have done, whether good or evil, will be awarded in the judgment. Those who contend that our works in this life have no bearing on our eternal abode have spent too much time reading between the lines, and not enough focusing on the lines themselves. Twice, in two verses, the writer clearly indicates that we will give account for our words and actions when judgment comes.

Aside from these books which will be opened, "...another book was opened, which is the Book of Life." This book is referred to specifically 8 times in Scripture (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27 & 22:19), and alluded to in other places (Exodus 32:32-33; Psalms 69:28, etc.). More on the importance of this book when we discuss verse 15.

THEN DEATH AND HADES WERE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH. AND ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. (Revelation 20:14-15)

Recall the words of the apostle Paul, as he also gives an account of the things which will take place at the end of this age. "...when this corruption has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?'" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). Death and Hades will have no power in the resurrection, but rather will be destroyed eternally. These things we have assurance of, for Jesus declared, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (Revelation 1:18). The Christ will use these keys, releasing from Hades and Death those who are kept there, and bring an end to Death and Hades, casting them to the lake of fire.

If there is one place where we should want our name to be recorded, it is in the Book of Life. This book is the 'rollcall' of heaven. It is the record of the saved from eternity to eternity. To be listed, one must be willing to "...deny himself, and take up his cross...", endeavouring to follow Christ. A seemingly high cost, but the Lord continues, "...whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26). Consider also, the cost of not being recorded there, for "...anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Eternal destruction and torment await those whose names are not found in the Book of Life.

Friend, won't you believe Jesus to be the Christ (John 8:24), repent of your sins (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37), and be baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21), that your name may be recorded by the Lord in the book of the faithful? Then, continue in the Lord's service to the end of this life, and you will receive the inheritance reserved in heaven for you. The reading of names at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA brings great sadness, as it is an earthly record of the physically dead; but consider the great joy and eternal bliss which is to come in the reading of the names in the Lamb's Book of Life.

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Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
The Bible says that no one has ascended into heaven before Jesus (John 3:13), and yet also tells us that Elijah ascended into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Is there a contradiction?