The Most Important Book

Many have had the privilege of being listed in Who’s Who sorts of books. Many who have completed their masters degree can honestly say they have a published, manuscript written by them, usually found in their thesis paper. A good deal of people have seen their name in the newspapers, or as the creators of recipes found in favorite cookbooks.

A lesser number of people will find their name in a hymn book or a chorus book. Some will actually find their name on the binding of a book at a bookstore or at a library. Several will attempt, but few succeed, at getting their name published in the Guinness book of world records.

These are all trivial recognitions. The memory of one’s name in a book, or even as the author of some work passes out of existence quite rapidly. However, though I have my name on a masters thesis, and I’m listed in a Who’s Who of American high school students, that really doesn’t matter. What I consider of utmost importance, is the one book that has my name written in it, and it will never fade from memory, nor be forgotten. I have my name written in the Lamb’s book of life.

My desire for all who are listening, would be this: Be sure your name is found written in the most important of all books; The Lamb’s Book of Life.

The Introduction to the Books.

Revelation 20:11–12 (NASB95)

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life;

John has just absorbed an incredible amount of information over a relatively short period of time. He carried the responsibility to get the seven letters out to seven different churches in chapter 2-3. He had the privilege of observing one of the greatest worship services ever to be held in chapters 4-5. Then he absorbed the horrible impact of what God’s judgment would be like during the tribulation period from chapter 6 until now.

Yes, he was privy to seeing what he knew to be true from God‘s Word; Christ is victorious. He probably rejoiced as the Spirit of God opened his eyes to the 1000 year reign of Christ. His emotions probably plummeted as Satan, when freed, deceived an incredibly large group of people who had experienced the millennial reign of Christ. Then he saw Satan‘s absolute final demise.

In these verses, John sees Christ seated on a great white throne. The Lord‘s presence was so awesome that the earth and sky fled from his presence. The Lord’s presence allowed for no room, even for the earth and sky. There are some scholars who suggest that even though the earth may have been cleaned up during the millennial period, there is the need to get rid of the heavens and earth, to set the stage for a new heaven and a new earth; as described in 2 Peter 3.10-13: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

What John describes is actually horrifying. This scene is described in John 5.28-29: ““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 sees the dead standing before the throne. This would include the unbelieving dead of all backgrounds and status. More importantly, is the fact that these are the ones who have chosen not to accept Christ as their Savior. While they are standing before the judge of all the world, the books are opened. Although it may have seemed that the world did whatever it chose to do against God, now, the final score is in the book. Not one event has taken away from God’s absolute power and sovereignty. Paul speaks of this event in Romans 2.5: “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,”

What impact does this passage carry for anyone in this world today? The reality is, today is not all for which we live. We understand that every single person is truly a pilgrim who is passing through. This world indeed is not our home. In fact, it is not anybody’s home. Everything that has ever been thought or said or done will be revealed before the great white throne judgment for those who chose not to believe. Humanity can run and pursue all that it says is theirs to do, but it can never hide.

How do we know this? Let’s look at the next couple of verses.

The Information from the Books

Revelation 20:12–13 (NASB95)

. . . and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

Here, we gather that there are two books or two sets of books. The first book, we understand to be the Book of Life. This book contains the names of all those throughout the ages who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. However, we might wonder why this book is even presented here. It would seem that it is obvious that those who are standing at the great white throne, do not have their names written in the book of life. Therefore, they are all unsaved.

The Bible states that the dead were judged, according to what they had done as recorded in the books. This is where the second book or sets of books reveal what the Bible has always said. Regardless of what the good works may have been, they cannot save humanity, no matter how extravagant and numerous they might have been. There is not any possible way that humanity can attain to the righteousness of God, which He requires in order to enter into heaven to be in Christ’s presence. Isaiah 64:6 is proven at this time to be an absolute truth; “all our righteousness is as filthy rags.“

Why would works be the criteria for judgment? When we look at all of Scripture, it reminds us, that what we do, reflects whose we are. One’s loyalties are seen by what one does.

However, we are still left with a question about whom the dead are. Verse 13 helps answer this. They were found in the sea, death, and in Hades. God will judge each person according to what they have done.

What is Hades? That is a question that cannot be easily answered, but I will make a brief attempt at giving some explanation. It might help if we more fully understand the concept of death. One commentator defines death as the “separation of the material part of man or the body from the immaterial nature, or the soul, and or spirit.“ Those who die and do not know Christ as their personal Savior, will have their immaterial nature in Hades. However, they will also experience a reunion with their physical bodies, for there will be a physical torment, and what we might term an emotional/mental/psychological torment. This is seen by the descriptiveness, in physical terms of the punishment that awaits those who have rejected Christ.

Folks it doesn’t matter what one does with their activities on this earth. If you have not turned your life over to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will not find your name written in the book of life.

Let me say, that the other side of the coin states that if you do know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then you will prove it by living a Christ-honoring life of service and love.

The Implications of the Books

Revelation 20:14–15 (NASB95)

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

When the judgments are finally done, the punishment must be enacted. At this point, “death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.“ This is what the Bible calls the second death. This is the most horrible of all deaths; for it is that eternal separation from the presence of God in eternal torment and suffering.

Hell, or the lake of fire, will not have any occupants until after the Tribulation Period, where the beast and the false prophet will be cast. John MacArthur shares a very descriptive explanation for hell: The clearest and most vivid of the New Testament terms used to describe the final hell, the lake of fire, is geenna (Gehenna). Gehenna is the New Testament word for the valley of Ben-Hinnom (also called Topheth; 2 Kings 23:10; Isa. 30:33; Jer. 7:31–32; 19:6), located southwest of Jerusalem. In Old Testament times, idolatrous Israelites burned their children in the fire there as sacrifices to false gods (Jer. 19:2–6). In Jesus’ day, it was the site of Jerusalem’s garbage dump. The fires kept constantly burning there gave off foul-smelling smoke, and the dump was infested with maggots. Sometimes the bodies of criminals were dumped there. The valley of Ben-Hinnom was thus an apt picture of eternal hell, one used repeatedly by Jesus (Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5). Hell will be God’s eternal cosmic dump; its inmates will be burning as garbage forever.

There is really nothing more which I can add to this. I cannot even attempt to paint a picture of the awfulness of this punishment. All I can ask is Why? Why would anyone, given the choice of heaven or hell, choose hell? I understand what some may say; that nobody really chooses hell. I must disagree. For the Scripture points out that everyone makes a choice. If one does not choose heaven, the only other choice is hell. There is no middle ground.

Conclusion

My friends, it does not matter what awards or prizes this world may give you. Make certain that your name is found written in the most important of all books; the Book of Life.

It does not matter what accomplishments you may have made to society. Make certain that your name is found written, in the most important of all books; the Book of Life.

It does not matter how good you may be. Make certain that your name is found written in the most important of all books; the Book of Life.

It does not matter how often you attend church, or on what committees or boards you may have served on over the years. Make certain that your name is found written in the most important of all books; the Book of Life.

You can do that today by turning your life over to Jesus Christ. Confess to him your self-centeredness and your pride. Confess to him your sins, whatever they may be. Then ask Jesus to come into your life and take control.

Praise God for the reality that today your name could be etched permanently into the Lamb’s Book of Life, if it’s not already there.