Beloved, among all the questions a man can ask himself in this life, none is greater and more serious or more eternal than this: Is my name written in the book of life? Many people are concerned about their names being written in earthly records. Some want their names written among the rich, the famous, the powerful or the educated. Others desire recognition in politics, business or religion. But there is one book that matters above all books—the book of life. At the end of life, earthly titles will no longer matter. Your wealth will not matter. Your social status will not matter. What will matter is whether your name is found in the Lamb's book of life.
Revelation 20 reveals the final judgment before God. The dead, small and great, shall stand before Him. The books shall be opened. Another book shall be opened, which is the book of life. Those whose names are absent from that book shall be cast into the lake of fire. This is not imagination; this is the word of God. Many people live carelessly as if eternity does not exist. They pursue pleasure, sin, money and worldly ambition without considering where they will spend eternity. But one day, every man shall appear before God. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27. Death is certain. Judgment is certain. Eternity is certain. Heaven is real and hell is real, too. Whether people believe it or not does not change the truth of God's word.
The book of life contains the names of those who belong to Jesus Christ. It contains the names of those who have repented of their sins and received salvation through the blood of the Lamb. It is not enough to attend church. It is not enough to bear a Christian name. It is not enough to claim religion outwardly, while living in sin inwardly. God is not deceived by appearance. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity, 2 Timothy 2:19.
Many people know about God, but they do not truly know Him. Some sing in the choir, yet live in secret sin. Some preach in public, but are spiritually empty before God. Some appear righteous before men, but are unclean before heaven. On the last day, many shall be shocked. Jesus said: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven, Matthew 7:21. Again He said: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? Matthew 7:22. But hear the fearful reply: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity, Matthew 7:23. What a terrible thing it will be to stand before Christ after spending years in religious activity, only to discover that one's name is missing from the book of life.
Beloved, salvation is personal. Your parents cannot save you. Your pastor cannot save you. Your church denomination cannot save you. You must personally surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Sin is the great barrier between man and God. From the Garden of Eden until today, sin has separated man from his Creator. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. Sin may appear sweet for a moment, but its end is destruction. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 6:23.
Today many people mock holiness and laugh at righteousness. They celebrate immorality and call evil good. But God has not changed. His standard remains holy. Heaven is a holy place and nothing sinful shall enter there. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life, Revelation 21:27. Friend, examine your life. Are you living in secret sin? Are you holding bitterness, unforgiveness, adultery, fornication, lying, pride, drunkenness, hatred or hypocrisy in your heart? Do not deceive yourself. God sees all things. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do, Hebrews 4:13.
The good news is that God still saves sinners. No matter how far a man has gone in sin, the mercy of God is still available through Jesus Christ. Christ came into the world to save the lost. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10. At Calvary, Jesus shed His precious blood for the remission of sins. He suffered, bled and died so that your name could be written in the book of life. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8.
Salvation is not obtained by human effort. It is received through genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved, Romans 10:9. To repent means to turn away from sin completely. It means to surrender your life fully to Christ. True salvation produces a changed life. A man cannot genuinely meet Jesus and remain the same. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Some people once walked with God, but they have gone back into the world. Once they prayed, but now they are cold spiritually. Once they loved holiness, but now compromise has entered their lives. This message is also for you. Return to God before it is too late. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, Revelation 2:5. No one knows when death will come. No one knows when the trumpet shall sound. Many people planned tomorrow, but died today. Many who were healthy yesterday, are gone today. Eternity is nearer than many realise. Jesus is coming again. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be, Revelation 22:12.
When He comes, there will be separation. The saved and the lost shall be divided forever. Those whose names are written in the book of life shall enter eternal joy. Those whose names are absent shall face everlasting punishment. Jesus described hell as a place: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched, Mark 9:44. Hell was not prepared for man. It was prepared for the devil and his angels. But all who reject Christ shall share that terrible destination. God is speaking to you, today, because He loves you. He does not desire your destruction. The door of mercy is still open today, but it will not remain open forever. One day, grace will end. One day, the final trumpet shall sound. One day, judgment shall begin. Then it will be too late to repent.
Beloved, do not postpone your salvation. Do not say, I will repent later. Later may never come. The devil has destroyed many souls with the lie of procrastination. If your name is not written in the book of life, nothing else truly matters. You may gain the whole world and still lose your soul. Make peace with God, today. Forsake sin and give your heart completely to Jesus, today. Walk in holiness, obedience and faithfulness. Live every day prepared to meet the Lord. And when the books are opened on the final day, may your name be found in the Lamb's book of life. Amen!
