Thinking Thursday

[Rev 20:11-15 ESV] 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 

John is privileged to see another awesome sight.  God, on the throne of judgment.  Scripture is clear in several places that we will all stand before Him to be judged.  No one escapes from this evaluation of their life.

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 

John sees a varied multitude and all are before the throne.  And books were opened.  What books in particular?  Several books are mentioned in the Bible:  book of law (covenant), book of kings chronicles, book of the living, book of all the words of the Lord, books of the prophets, book of remembrance, book of the generations of Jesus Christ, book of Psalms, book of life, book of seals and book of the unveiling of Jesus Christ (Revelation).  I'm of the opinion that the one that decides your eternal destination is the book of life.

13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.

Do you want to be judged standing only what you have done or would you rather be judged covered by Jesus' righteousness applied to you.  I choose the latter. 

14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 

But what about the popular and oft repeated, God is a God of love and He wouldn't send anyone to hell.  This is answered in the next verse.

15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Your name must be written in the book of life.  It is that simple.  How do we know if our names are written in this book?  Have you acknowledged Jesus Christ as the only begotten son of God who took the punishment for your sins to purchase for you eternal life by reconciling you to His Father?  He is the way, the truth and the life...no one comes to the Father but by Him.  There is one way.  That is what He has told us, so that is what we need to believe.