Tag: book of life
Day 5–Supreme Judge Over All
Scripture reading for May 8: 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” Revelation 20:11-14 “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. 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. . . .” vs. 15 “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.“
Whether we are a believer in Jesus or have not chosen to follow Jesus, God’s Word declares that all will appear before the Supreme Judge, Jesus Christ. There, at the judgment seat of Christ, believers will be judged for how they used what God had provided to do the good works He had prepared for them. They will give an account of using the time allotted to them. Some will receive rewards for faithfulness and others for soul winning or stewardship of time and resources. Others will suffer loss and enter the kingdom with few, if any rewards.
The great white throne is the place of judgment for the unbelievers of the world. We note that whether considered ‘great’ or ‘small’ in the world’s eyes, all are judged equally and individually. They all receive ‘justice’ because God keeps good records. There are ‘books’ where every sin and evil deed is recorded for each person throughout their life. Every time they rejected God’s grace is recorded and noted. Another book, the book of life, is where those who have repented of sin and asked for mercy through Jesus Christ are recorded by name. If a name is recorded in the book of life, there will be no record of sins or failures in the other books. God’s grace removes sin and guilt because Jesus willing paid the price of death on the cross.
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for justice and judgment for all without partiality by our Righteous Judge, Jesus Christ. As we serve You, we humbly ask for mercy each day and empowerment by Your Spirit to do Your will and complete the works You prepare for us. Amen.
Satan fell like lightning!
Scripture reading for October 23: Luke 10-12
The Kingdom of Heaven is in direct opposition to the kingdom of the devil. The devil’s kingdom is one of dominance, manipulation, fear, and deceit. God’s Kingdom is one of love, compassion, faith, and truth. The devil uses sickness, oppression, depression, and poverty to imprison those made in God’s image. God sends His people out under His authority to heal the sick, deliver the oppressed, preach good news to the depressed and hopeless, and share His great riches with all who will receive! These kingdoms are in conflict that is raging around the earth each day.
Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples into this conflict. (Luke 10:1-4) They were not to take a purse, bag, or sandals. They were not to greet anyone on the road because they had a mission. They were armed with His Word and authority and had prayed that the Lord would send out workers. Jesus then sent them! Be careful what you pray for– you may be the answer!
They were to live by faith and trust God for whatever they needed in the way of daily provisions. As they entered a town, or a house, and were welcomed, they were to speak ‘peace’ to those who dwelt there. They were to eat and have fellowship with those who welcomed them. They were to heal the sick and tell them of the Kingdom of God. (Luke 10:8-9) If they were not welcomed, they were to shake the dust from their feet and warn the people that the Kingdom of God had come near to them. (Luke 10:10-12) It was a simple assignment!
As the seventy-two returned to Jesus, they were full of joy and rejoiced at their results! The demons had fled, sick people were healed, and Jesus’ authority had given them victory after victory! Jesus Himself remarked: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:18-20) Jesus was filled with joy at these disciples’ success and their understanding, for the Father had opened their hearts. He cautioned them to remain humble about God’s grace gift to them.
Each day we are sent into this same conflict. We have the Holy Spirit and the Name of Jesus Christ. Authority is ours to plunder the enemies’ camp! All power of the enemy can be overcome by faith and the Word of God. We must remain humble and under His authority. Go out with humble boldness today and bring joy to God’s heart as you plunder the kingdom of the evil one!
The Book of Life
Scripture reading for September 3: Daniel 10-12
There is a Book that should be a top priority to every human being. It is the Book of Life found before the throne of God. In that Book are written the names of all who have been adopted into the family of God by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and Son of God. (Daniel 12:1) (Revelation 20:12, 15) If your name is written in that Book, you will be delivered from the coming wrath against sin that flows from the Ancient of Days! (Daniel 7:10) (Revelation 20:14) It doesn’t matter if you are sleeping in the dust of earth or still alive when the day of judgment arrives, there is going to be a resurrection of all men with rewards for those who by faith have trusted in Christ as well as punishment eternally for those who have rebelled against God. (Daniel 12:2-3) (Revelation 22:12-15)
The righteous are promised eternal glory for their obedience. (Revelation 22:1-6) (Daniel 12:3) They will shine like the stars of heaven forever and ever! They will live in the heavenly city where God Himself and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, are the source of all light! They will behold Him and see His face!
Daniel was told to seal up the Words of his Book for the time of the end. (Daniel 12:4) He was told that many people would go to and fro throughout the earth and that knowledge would increase as time went on. People would be seeking this knowledge but only the wise would find it. The wise were those whose names were written down in that special Book of Life!
John was told in Revelation 22:10, not to seal up the words of his Book of prophecy because the time was near for it’s fulfillment! Jesus Christ is coming soon to reward each one who is living by faith and has his name in His Book! Are you sure your name is in the most important Book in the universe? Why not honestly check your heart today for faith in Jesus Christ? Have you repented? Are you living a righteous life by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit?
“Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this Book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.” “Behold I am coming soon and My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:10-12
God’s amazing omnicience!
Scripture reading for December 18th: Revelation 13, Psalm 101, Ecclesiastes 3
Revelation 13: 5-9 “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming His Name and His dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb Who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: . .”
Did you know that there is a book of life in heaven that contained the names of all those who would humbly receive the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ and worship Him? Did you know that this book was composed before the world was created? God is eternal and time is just a part of His creation. He is above all creation and complete in Himself. He reveals these unseen and unknown truths to His people through His Word and Son. He allows His people to undergo testing and trials, building their faith. In this passage the beast out of the sea, is allowed to rule for forty-two months and have authority over all on earth. He makes war on the saints and conquers them. But the beast’s time is short! Saints win!
Psalm 101:7-8 “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.”
Prayer: Father God, Your amazing omniscience causes me to wonder and worship! Your eternal Word and works testify to Your grace and goodness in all Your works. You even use the evil one and those following him for Your purposes and glory. Open my ears each day to hear Your Word and keep me from deception and compromise. I dedicate my body and soul and mind to You alone! Have Your way in me!
Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before Him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.”
The thousand years of peace
Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 20
Key Scriptures: Revelation 20:1-5 “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
The events that John saw next are commonly referred to as the millennial (thousand year) reign of Christ and refer to a period of time where Christ comes back to earth and Satan is bound and locked away. Christ brings with Him His Bride and they also rule with Him on earth and exercise authority on His behalf. This ‘Bride” is the composed of people of faith who have repented of their sins and died in faith, some through martyrdom. They are resurrected to rule and reign with Christ. At the end of the thousand years, Satan is released for a very short time before the final judgment and sentencing of him, his angels, and all who followed them to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire.
Revelation 20:7-10 “And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, God and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. . . .but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for Your righteous judgment on Satan, the deceiver and accuser of Your people. I look forward to the thousand years of peace on earth under Your righteous rulership. Do whatever is necessary in my life to prepare me to be with You and enjoy that peace. Use me to help others to find a place in Your bridal company through faith in Jesus Christ and have their names written in Your heavenly register, the Book of Life.
Revelation 20:11-12,15 “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. 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. . . . .And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Written in the Book of Life!
Scripture reading for December 17th: Revelation 13, Psalm 129-30, Proverbs 4
Key Scriptures: Revelation 13:5-8 “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming His Name and His dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain.”
During the great tribulation, God will grant the antichrist authority to rule on earth for forty-two months. His rule will be blasphemous of God and His people. He will be allowed to make war on God’s people and to conquer them. This beast ruler will demand and receive worship from all who dwell on the earth whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Believers on earth during this time are to listen and beware.
Faith confession: I believe in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, who is King of Kings and rules over all the kings and beasts of this earth. Everything He does is righteous and just and He will keep all promises to His people who are written in His Book. The wicked will get their due.
Psalm 129:4-5 “The Lord is righteous; He has cut the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!”
Thankful God knows our name!
Scripture reading for April 14th: 2nd Kings 25, 1st Chronicles 1-4
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 1:1-4 “Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. The sons of Noah; Shem, Ham and Japheth.”
Chronicles 1:1-4 opens with a list of names beginning with Adam and going through the sons of Noah, which began the history of the world after the flood. God uses each person’s unique name and records them in His books! Some are written down here in the Bible and referred to in other passages according to their stories. Others are written in the Book of Life as they put their faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ! He knows each name and each name has a story known by God!
Thankful that God knows our name: Our name may or may not be recorded in the Bible, God’s holy book. But we can be sure that He records all those who are His children in the Book of Life! “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. . . .If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12, 15)
Justice is served!
Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 20
“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.” (Revelation 20:1-3) The Abyss is the jail for Satan during the millennial reign. The “jailer” is an angel with a special chain that is able to bind a spirit being!
“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4) The faithful and martyred saints are rewarded with resurrection and the kingdom that was promised them! They rule with Christ for a thousand years!
Satan is released for a short time and a final battle after the thousand years. Fire comes from heaven and devours those opposing Jesus! “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10) God is just and true in all His judgments!
Finally, the wicked dead are raised to life and stand before the great white throne with Jesus seated on it. Books are opened and the Book of Life is checked. Each person is judged for their deeds as recorded in God’s perfect books. None written in the Book of Life will be judged here. “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire.” Revelation 20:14) The final and eternal sentence is passed on those who have died in their sins! This is a warning!
The Book of Life!
Scripture reading for September 4th: Daniel 10-12
I love books! I have a great library and it is always growing! The Apostle John said that if all that Jesus did were written down, the whole world could not contain all the books that would be written! (John 21:25) Volumes of books have been written, but the most important book on earth is the Holy Bible!
The Bible speaks of another book that should be important to every human being! It is the Book of Life found before the throne of God. In that book are written the names of all who have been adopted into the family of God by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and Son of God. (Daniel 12:1) (Revelation 20:12, 15) If your name is written in that book, you will be delivered from the coming wrath against sin that flows from the Ancient of Days! (Daniel 7:10) (Revelation 20:14) There will be a resurrection of all men with reward for some and punishment for others. (Daniel 12:2-3) (Revelation 22:12-15)
The righteous are promised eternal glory for their obedience. (Revelation 22:1-6) (Daniel 12:3) They will shine like the stars of heaven forever and ever! They will live in the heavenly city where God Himself and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, is the source of all light! They will behold Him and see His face!
Daniel was told to seal up the words of his book for the time of the end. (Daniel 12:4) People would be seek this knowledge but only the wise would find it. The wise were those whose names were written down in that special book of Heaven! But John was told in Revelation 22:10, not to seal up the words of his book of prophecy because the time was near for it’s fulfillment!
“Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.” “Behold I am coming soon and my reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:10-12
The Lake of Fire!
Scripture reading for December 29th: Revelation 20:1-15
Not all are part of the heavenly army of the King of Kings. The first to be dealt with was the dragon, Satan. He was bound by a great chain and thrown into the Abyss to keep him from deceiving the nations. The set time was a thousand years or what we would call a millennium. (Revelation 20:1-3)
Next John witnessed a resurrection of the souls who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus. These souls came to life and were given authority to judge on the earth and reign with Christ for a thousand years. ” (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:5-6) This is the fifth ‘blessed’ statement of Revelation. These martyrs are now rewarded with rulership with Christ on the earth for his thousand-year reign.
The ‘second death’ is a term defined in this chapter for John. At the end of the thousand years, the devil is released for a short time. He goes out and deceives the nations again and the gathers them for battle. Fire comes from heaven and devours those who are deceived and the devil is thrown into the lake of fire along with the beast (anti-Christ) and false prophet. This lake of fire and burning sulfur is the ‘second death’. (Revelation 20:14) This lake of fire has been long prepared for the devil and his angels who rebelled against God.
However, there will be multitudes of people who will also go to this horrible place of burning sulfur. John saw a great white throne and God as judge. Death and Hades were opened and a second resurrection company of those who had died in their sins were brought before the judge. Books were opened that held the record of their evil deeds and sins. Another book, the Book of Life, was examined to find their names. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15) Each person answered personally to God! Is your name in His Book of Life?