We have been considering various doors that have been opened by the Lord Jesus Christ. The first was the opening of the Scriptures to all who are born again. The second was Him opening Heaven to all Blood washed souls and the third was Him opening the spiritual prison souls are held in bondage because of sin.
4) The last one I want to look at is that the Lord Jesus opens specific books held in the vault of heaven.
You and I are aware that these books contain different information. These books contain historical records of the inhabitants of the earth from the beginning of creation until the end of the world. The picture before us is that every single person’s entire history is recorded … yet there is one book that is different to all the rest. It is known as the Book of Life. In this book there is a record of the names of all the elect of God, chosen before the creation of the world to be God’s subjects through the Blood Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary.
Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
As we near the end of the Canon of Scripture, we find that in John’s vision into eternal matters, he reveals Almighty God on His Eternal Throne in Glory. The earth and sky’s flight likely means we are in eternity now and away from all of creation. This is Judgement Day … the day many refused to believe in yet it was promised with warnings were issued throughout Scripture. Here God takes the role of Judge. Remember what James taught us?
Jas 5:9 The Judge is standing at the door!
God as the final Judge in the final reckoning is ready to judge. He is standing at the door … James says He is ready to judge … yet in Revelation 20 we moved past “the ready to judge” to the actual court hearing where God the Judge is seated and in the process of judging! The picture before us is explained in our language to enable us to get the message’s intent, not necessarily the layout of what will happen.
First God the Judge is seated. The great white throne depicts the absolute holy aura surrounding God as He is seated in all solemn glory and authority.
Second, only eternity matters. There is no creation or created matter to distract from this serious, final pronouncement by God. The conclusion of this matter at hand results in eternity forever. There is deathly silence and anticipation.
Third, the court is in session. There is no turning back. There are no remands, postponements or delays. This day that has been spoken about and warned about from the beginning of the Bible has arrived and the business at hand will be completed swiftly and finally.
Fourth, amongst the many books (records) held in heaven is a singular book called the Book of Life. Note the difference here. The dead are those spiritually dead souls. By implication the names in the Book of Life are those who are spiritually alive.
Fifth, the dead stand before the Judge of all the Earth. Every person outside of Jesus Christ will appear before God, the Judge will hear the record (content of the book) and because this person had not been born again (no relationship with Jesus Christ), this person will be judged guilty. Note “each person was judged according to what he had done”. This refers to their deeds outside of Christ which includes refusing to hear or rejection, once hearing the gospel.
Sixth, the Judge’s ruling is final. There is no appeal court or high court or constitutional court for review because there is no higher court or Judge than this one. What He rules in final. There are no second chances!
Seventh, the judgment is horrific … “was thrown into the lake of fire” … and the explanation of the Lake of Fire is “The lake of fire is the second death.”
Eighth, although not mentioned but clearly implied, is that the spiritually alive will be ushered into Glory … “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” The names in the Book of Life are those who have Eternal Life because they follow Jesus and will enjoy true life in Heaven forever!
Let’s bring this home … let’s personalize it. Where do you stand spiritually right now? Has the Lord Jesus opened His Word (Scriptures) to you? Has Heaven been opened for you? Have you being released from the enemy’s Prison? The Gospel is not a trivial matter as so many think. There are consequences for rejecting God’s free offer of salvation. When you consider the only two real important issues in life, heaven and hell, surely there ought not to be much though or deliberation … yet there is … in fact there is more. There is a putting off because I’m too young; stalling because I want to ‘enjoy’ life; waiting for the ‘right moment; and thousands of other excuses. Let me tell you that when I was 13 years old I knew what God had planned for my life. Yet, I ran, ducking and diving, experimenting and avoiding until in my late 20’s God arrested my soul, literally saying … so far and no more! Do you know what I realize today? I wasted so much of my life! What would have happened if God did not ‘forcibly’ intervene? O my friend, if you are still questioning or considering or putting off coming to Jesus, consider today’s message. Once the final whistle is blown; once God calls time and ends the world with the Second Coming and the Judgement Day, it is too late to make spiritual and eternal changes because before that terrible Throne when the books are open … it is final for all eternity.
O God, mercifully guide each person reading this Note through to final salvation. Help them to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour through proving repentance and faith before it is too late. Amen.