Revelation 20:12, commentary and pictures

Revelation 20:12 portrays the final universal judgment when the dead, small and great, stand before God around the great white throne, the books of record and the book of life are opened, and each is judged from what is written according to works. Heaven keeps exact books of every life, recording words, deeds, thoughts, motives and influence without omission or mistake, and in the judgment hidden things are brought to light with memory made clear so the opened record itself convicts. The judgment tests character against God's holy law and written Word, with all judgment committed to Christ the Son of man, and all are justified by faith yet judged and rewarded according to works which reveal character. The Lamb's book of life holds the names of those who belong to Christ, and names are retained by repentance, faith and obedience while unrepented sin causes the name to be blotted out and profession or church membership alone cannot secure it. Because no sin remains hidden and sins unrepented stay on the record, now is the day to repent, confess, forsake wrong and trust Christ's blood so sins are blotted out and the life can be met with joy and without shame.

Scene and Setting

The verse depicts the final judgment in which the dead, small and great, stand before God while the books of record and the book of life are opened and each is judged from what is written in the books according to works. As Jesus looks upon the wicked they recognize every sin, their departures from purity and holiness, pride and rebellion against God's law, indulgence in temptation, misuse of blessings, contempt for God's messengers, rejection of warnings, and resistance to mercy. Worldly pleasures, riches, and honors lose importance, righteousness alone is seen valuable, chosen garments show allegiance to Satan, and what transgressing the commandments means becomes plain. A person's whole life work is gathered for this searching judgment so that each day and hour contributes to the account. A name on a church record does not place it in the Lamb's book, the judgment tests character against God's moral standard of law, and those not found in the book of life face the lake of fire.

The judgment takes place around the great white throne, where all regardless of rank stand to receive approval or disapproval in the day of final retribution. The opened books record works and the book of life identifies those belonging to God, while character must withstand the test of God's holy law as the standard of righteousness. Works prompted by an unsanctified spirit are exposed in true character before a holy God, including selfish arbitrary exactions and harsh indifferent treatment of Christ's blood-bought heritage. Those in trust who bruise hearts, hurt and destroy souls, drive people from Christ, and interpose unconverted influence between Christ and valuable souls will settle account with the Owner of souls and meet again those they wounded. Standing there and entering heaven requires obeying God's commandments and accepting Jehovah's law as the rule of life, for none refusing the law will enter, and overcomers through Jesus will stand as victors if probation is used to prepare for that scrutiny. The ledger of heaven is opened about the throne and those judged according to deeds done in the body have each name registered with its verdict as weighed in the balance and found wanting as a transgressor of God's commandments.

The judgment occurs at the final coronation of the Son of God in presence of the assembled inhabitants of earth and heaven, when Christ invested with supreme majesty and power as King of kings pronounces sentence upon rebels against His government and executes justice upon those who transgressed His law and oppressed His people. Then all appears as if written in letters of fire, where feet diverged from purity and holiness, how far pride and rebellion carried in violation of God's law, seductive temptations encouraged by indulgence in sin, blessings perverted, messengers despised, warnings rejected, and waves of mercy beaten back by the stubborn unrepentant heart. It belongs after the wicked are raised at the close of the thousand years, for the King then delivers their final sentence and they are not sentenced before Christ comes. It is the general judgment at the end of the thousand years when all who disowned Christ and betrayed Him in the person of His saints see the result of their work. God's justice will be seen by the heavenly universe and all will acknowledge His righteousness and law above every power, the sentence is just with no further probation once cases are settled, and after the second resurrection Satan and his followers perish together.

It is a public universal judgment of the whole world of intelligent beings, not merely one person or nation. The dead are judged first and the living afterward, afterward the whole universe gathers to hear the sentence, and God's law and government are vindicated with His wisdom acknowledged just by believers and unbelievers and His name glorified. The closing scenes bring the whole world to trial before the great white throne, of which the judgment hall in Jerusalem is a symbol, where every person must accept Christ the truth or accept Satan the first great rebel, apostate, robber, murderer and chief of liars, and choosing Satan identifies interests with the disloyal. At that solemn trial all must account for rejecting Jesus Christ, God's own messenger, with reckoning for nailing to the cross One who came as a living epistle of the law, who lived the law of God's government and expressed God's character, and those now rejecting God's law crucify the Son of God afresh and identify with those who crucified Him between two thieves, showing the changeless character of the great moral standard by Christ's death. It is held before Christ on the throne of His glory in presence of the world so love, integrity and service for God may be glorified on the largest scale, for the Father judges no one but has committed all judgment to the Son because He is the Son of man, God manifest in flesh and Prince of sufferers, and He who was arraigned, despised, rejected and crucified alone pronounces reward or punishment according to works. The good accomplished will then be known.

It is a future appointed event, not at death. Before anyone enters heaven each case is investigated and character and deeds reviewed, and people are rewarded according to works. The dead, small and great, stand with books opened and cases examined, judged from what is written according to works before entering the reward of the blessed. To judge those already supposedly enjoying heaven or suffering in hell would make the final verdict redundant and portray God's justice as mockery. The dead sleep in the grave until the Life-giver raises them, which makes resurrection and final judgment necessary and gives hope to the bereaved. It belongs to two resurrections, the righteous rising in the first beyond power of the second death while those who did evil rise in the second after the thousand years.

That day of God is just upon us and soon to come, and everyone should live with reference to it instead of hurrying to and fro with business without thought of it. It is a soon-coming time when God will discern between him that serves God and him that serves Him not. The scene will fill people with awe at being in God's presence and lead them to be still and acknowledge that He is God. The judgment makes eternal standing plain, so life must be examined and put right with God now. Everyone will meet his own record there, so preparation now decides readiness for Christ's soon coming and fitness to belong to the redeemed family, and the nearness of the end shown by floods and fires, cyclones and earthquakes and withdrawal of God's Spirit calls a sleeping people and unready youth to discern the signs and change. Then men will have clear sharp remembrance of all transactions with not a word or deed escaping memory, and because actions will stand in light of God's law as standard the present time is for searching the heart as with a lighted candle and criticizing actions for present and eternal good before trying times come.

The redeemed gather in final triumph in the city of God around the great white throne, standing clothed in white robes of Christ's righteousness, singing triumph and victory and praise to God and to the Lamb, with no more sorrow and no more separation, dwelling in peace and happiness and glory through ceaseless ages of eternity. It is the future gathering of the ransomed where those separated in this life may meet again. Faithful loved ones separated by service for God will meet again when they did not expect to see each other in this life. Its setting prompts the question who will be there among the saved praising God and the Lamb. Those remaining true and faithful to the end will share that meeting with Christ after Jesus comes.

Heavenly Books and Records

Heaven keeps books that bear an exact history of every person, traced with unerring accuracy without omissions, mistakes or false entries, in contrast to man's self-occupied history, and angels faithfully keep those records reproducing character while God as Ruler registers sins with unerring accuracy. The dead are judged by the record of their lives, with deeds serving as the basis of judgment, and the books contain a faithful delineation of character reproduced as features are reproduced upon a photographer's plate. Every neglected opportunity to serve God is faithfully recorded, and every deed of faith and love, however humble, is remembered forever. The record reveals words and deeds, including hidden selfishness, duties left undone, neglect of the Saviour's claims, and time, thought and strength spent on self or worldly pursuits instead of Christ, showing how little time was devoted to prayer, Scripture study, confession and humility before God. The books record with exactness each person's words, actions, neglected duties, secret sins, responses to warnings and reproofs, use of time and opportunities, and influence for good or evil including its far-reaching results, so each life is thereby recorded for faithfulness or unfaithfulness.

A recording angel witnesses conduct day by day, recording every word, deed, deportment, thought, motive, secret sin, neglected duty, use of time and opportunities, and far-reaching influence for good or evil, and what is forgotten still testifies to justify or condemn and must be met again. These records preserve words and deeds as well as secret motives, each day adds to the record, no day's record can be undone, and the recorded life goes before each person to the judgment and helps decide destiny for good or ill. Words and actions, including influence on others, are recorded, neglected duties are marked, prayers are recorded, and the way people respond to light and privileges affects the outcome. A guardian angel may guide those who sincerely pray for help away from wrongdoing, but neglecting to seek strength against temptation leads to going astray, and that neglect is also entered in God's record so people are found wanting in the trying day. People's words and actions are recorded in heaven's books and will be faced when judgment takes place and the books are opened, making all accountable, and even a student's work during the term testifies to daily experience.

Characters are recorded like images transferred to a polished plate, a minute exact photograph made daily by the great Master Artist as precisely as a face on glass, reflecting words, works and character and whether one ceased evil and learned good through grace. The books opened in judgment contain an exact record of each person's character, including how each treats the Spirit of God, as exact as faces fixed on photo-plates, and by these character photographs the dead are judged according to works. Continued impurity fixes character, so when probation ends guilt remains and such will not enter the holy city, calling for resisting evil and cleansing life while opportunity remains. Each must ask what the books say in his own case, whether he is conforming character to Jesus Christ as the Pattern, and whether he is washing robes of character white in the blood of the Lamb, because reward is given according as work shall be. The judgment examines what was done with talents, whether influence was exerted on the right side, whether proper example was set rather than following worldly fashions, whether powers were used in God's service, and whether life reflected light to others, for God expects best use of faculties and those fulfilling their mission will be welcomed as good and faithful servants. Earthly life is a probation in which traits are entered and character is formed that fits for heaven, while a character shaped by Satan's attributes has no place in heavenly courts.

A person's whole life work is gathered for the searching judgment, each day and hour contributes, each year's record passes sealed into eternity until opened, and time passing into eternity carries its burden including hours idled instead of studying the Bible and working for God. Everyone great and small stands before God, the books record deeds by which the dead are judged, the book of life is also opened, and each year passes into eternity with its burden sealed to be opened when judgment sits. Each year of life makes a burden of record remaining unknown until judgment, so turning a new page at a new year calls for dedicating soul, body, heart and strength anew to God and heeding every warning, with new consecration and meeting terms of discipleship. Day by day a record of words, actions and influence is made in heaven to be met in the great day, putting reputation at stake and requiring each to consider whether he will be pleased to meet the record he is making.

At the judgment each person has clear sharp remembrance of all life's transactions with nothing escaping memory, the Judge need not verbally declare guilt because the opened record itself convicts, vividly recalling every deed while sins hidden from men are proclaimed to the whole world. All transactions making up life are registered and appear in the great day when everyone receives according as works have been, with not a word or deed escaping memory, while actions stand in light of God's law as standard, calling for searching the heart now before trying times come. Every act will be seen with the spirit that prompted it, its true character and effects, and the burden of words and decisions upon others, including injustice and harsh treatment especially by those entrusted with responsibility, with harm to souls who might have been saved reviewed by God as just Judge. When books are opened the Judge casts one penetrating convicting glance that vividly recalls every deed and transaction, sins concealed from fellows are proclaimed to the world, each one's own lips confess shame, yet acknowledgment forced by condemnation and fearful expectation after decision cannot save because sin is no longer purged by sacrifice. It will be disclosure and awakening with vivid return of memory for forgotten deeds and intense searching inspection, hidden unconfessed secrets made manifest, unfaithfulness in sacred responsibilities revealed, and seared consciences and ambition to be first seen in true unhallowed character, so probation is given to regulate thought and action by the Word and be transformed without spot.

The judgment brings hidden thoughts, secret deeds and motives to light with nothing concealed from the eternal Judge, and deeds done under appearance of advancing God's cause and deceptive influences leading toward ruin are exposed as they truly are. The dead are raised to stand before God and each is judged and rewarded according to deeds, with hidden thoughts and deeds brought to light and no secret concealed. Recorded transactions will then be seen in true character, revealing how deceptive influences led toward ruin, and deeds carried out under appearance of advancing God's cause will be exposed. Actions will be revealed as they are, including deeds planned in secret, because God fully knows every design and motive and weighs them, and hidden plans and motives will appear as they truly are. When the great books are opened motives of every heart are laid bare, leaving no excuse for treating plain commandments as of little moment, with the sentence that the wages of sin is death upon the transgressor while the righteous who do His commandments enter life with right to the tree and gates into the city.

Heaven's books preserve words, deeds, secret motives and vile acts, each day adds to the record, no day's record can be undone, and the recorded life goes before each person to help decide destiny. Heaven keeps faithful record of every act, word, deportment, and thoughts and intents of the heart, with every defect of moral character open to angels' gaze, and at execution of judgment young and old will have true picture presented in all deformity. Vain frivolous words, false words, deceptive acts whose motives were concealed from humans but discerned by God, and every selfish act are written in living characters and will be exposed. The record includes thoughts, words, acts, purposes and even seemingly trivial actions, sins registered and known to God and angels, forming a spotted record open to God and myriads of pure angels, with even one year making a fearful record. Nothing is hidden even if unseen by others, every deed is included while confessed sins are forgiven, and the books contain history of every day and month preserved for judgment when deeds are brought to account.

Judge Standard and Investigation

The judgment tests character against God's moral standard, His holy, just and good law of righteousness, and no one can trample that law with impunity. That law was written by His finger on stone tablets given to Moses and kept in the ark in the heavenly sanctuary, hidden until the judgment sits and then brought forth and presented as the standard. It is not uncertain conjecture but truth decided by an infallible Judge, to be lived as Christ lived it in His humanity as the divine path and guide for every person. God's holy law is the only unerring standard to judge every soul and to decide fitness of character for heaven, so that each is justified or condemned according to obedience or disrespect and disregard of His requirements, including the definite day He specified to be kept. Eternal interests must be first and none should trifle with soul salvation, for impressions, feelings, emotions, dreams and exercises are no criterion, and God's Word alone is the rule of faith and action.

God's law as transcript of His character will be exalted as infallible and unchangeable as Himself, and its changeless character is shown by the death of Christ. Sooner than one jot should change God's Son died, and the magnitude of Calvary alone reveals what the law is. The cross reveals sin's gravity and the character of rejecting Christ, leaving the condemned with no excuse as they see that rejecting truth and choosing transgression brought their own ruin. In that judgment the law will be seen in altogether different light from how the Christian world now regards it, recognized as holy and just and good in all its requirements with decisive claims, distinguishing those who keep it from those who transgress it and must answer to God. All receive sentence of life or death by its righteous principles according to whether deeds were good or evil, for the first four commandments define duty to God and the last six define duty to people, and human laws are supposed to be framed according to its precepts.

The written Word, the Bible, is the rule by which all are judged, the statute book with which records are compared. No religion can stand unless it is in harmony with the Bible, and no one can disregard one word of God or receive and reject His expressed will at pleasure and be guiltless in the judgment. Each person will be brought face to face with the record and must answer to the charge, and it is the book that will judge Satan and his followers. During the thousand years between the first and second resurrections, after saints are made immortal and taken into the Holy City, Jesus and the redeemed sit as kings and priests with the books opened, the book of life containing good deeds and the book of death containing evil deeds, comparing acts with the Bible and deciding each case according to what was done in the body. In unison with Jesus the saints mete out to each what is due, the portion of suffering is fixed and set off against names in the book of death, and Satan and his angels are also judged, with Satan receiving far greater punishment and living and suffering on much longer after those he deceived have perished.

The Father judges no one but has committed all judgment to the Son because He is the Son of man, God manifest in the flesh, and the Prince of sufferers in humanity. He who was arraigned before an earthly tribunal, despised, rejected and crucified alone will pronounce the sentence of reward or of punishment. The Son of God, who lived and gave His life for humanity, will assess each person's actions and responsibilities and assign the final reward to the loyal and righteous and punishment to the disobedient, disloyal and unrighteous, a scene especially solemn for those who shared in others' sins and acted against God's decision. God examines character, conduct and motives with soul-reading power that pierces disguises and reads the inner life, weighing love and obedience in a final settlement where being found wanting cannot later be corrected. The book of God is searched for names of those who will receive the final reward, and every defect of character must be removed in this life in order to stand without shame to meet the record.

The judgment is an investigative review beginning at the close of the 2300 days in 1844, in which lives of all who ever took Christ's name pass in review in heaven's courts while men are still dwelling upon the earth. Both the living and the dead are examined from the records of their lives, and according to deeds destiny is forever fixed. Books are examined before Christ returns to determine who through repentance and faith is entitled to the benefits of His atonement, and this is the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary when recorded sins are blotted out. Because sins are blotted out only after each case has been investigated, this judgment must take place before the second advent when Christ comes to give each a reward according to works. In the present great day of atonement the cases of the righteous dead are being reviewed, and judgment of the living follows when that work is complete, with each person having a case pending as Christ the great High Priest entered the most holy place.

In successive generations ending with the living, names are accepted or rejected with an Advocate presenting each closely investigated case. A recording angel reads each name and moral worth and works are weighed before reward is given. Those who repent and claim Christ's blood by faith have pardon recorded against their names, Christ intercedes asking forgiveness, restoration to Eden and sharing His glory and throne as joint heirs, and in the closing work their sins are blotted out and they are accounted worthy of eternal life. Those who served the world and were ashamed of Christ are rejected and have no place in the book of life, while those who followed at cost of worldly ties and reproach are acknowledged and marked for protection from destruction. Unrepented and unforgiven sins cause a person's name to be blotted out of the book of life and the record of good deeds to be erased from God's remembrance, for deeds reveal character and show whether faith is genuine.

All are justified by faith but judged and rewarded according to works. Works reveal the character formed by choices, and in the final reckoning dishonesty and unfaithful use of what God entrusted will be laid open even if undetected in probationary life. Works do not earn salvation or eternity's rewards, which are purchased by Christ, but rewards are given in proportion to how faithfully each uses what God entrusted, and each may strive for the highest reward. Those given greater means, abilities, talents and opportunity bear greater responsibility and carry the heaviest burden, accountable for life, health, abilities and gifts, for every talent put to wrong use is recorded as robbery. By works they are justified and by works condemned when it is too late for wrongs to be righted, and then it is seen that only those are saved who brought the maxims of Jesus into life.

Prophetic Timing and Resurrections

Revelation 20:12 belongs to the account of two resurrections, the righteous rising in the first resurrection beyond the power of the second death, while those who have done evil rise in the second resurrection after the thousand years. The wicked dead are raised for judgment after the thousand years and brought before Christ, people of every rank and learning rising together in former mortal bodies still bearing the effects of the curse, unlike the immortal bodies of those raised in the first resurrection. They see Christ in kingly glory and recognize Him as the one they mocked and crucified, and overwhelmed by His majesty they flee and acknowledge His coming. Their final sentence is delivered by the King at the close of the thousand years, for they are not sentenced before Christ comes.

During the thousand years between the first and second resurrections, after the saints are made immortal and taken with Jesus into the Holy City before it descends to earth, Jesus and the redeemed sit as kings and priests to judge the wicked dead. The books are opened, the book of life containing the good deeds of the saints and the book of death containing the evil deeds of the wicked, and these records are compared with the Bible as the statute book and rule by which they are judged. In union with Jesus the saints pass judgment upon the wicked dead, deciding each case according to what was done in the body and meting out to each according to deeds done in life. The portion of suffering each must receive at the execution of the judgment is fixed and written in the book of death set off against their names. Satan and his angels are also judged by Jesus and the saints, with Satan receiving punishment far greater than those he deceived and living and suffering on much longer after all those he deceived have perished.

The sentence meted out during the thousand years is executed after the thousand years, when the saints are shut inside the city with Jesus and stand on the top of the wall while the wicked are outside and see what they have lost. The wicked then receive according to their works as the saints in unison with Jesus have meted out through the thousand years. The sentence is carried out by fire breathed from God that consumes the wicked, and the same fire purifies the whole earth, melting the mountains and the atmosphere with fervent heat and consuming all stubble, after which the saints inherit the whole earth made new in glory. When justice has been fully satisfied the wicked are destroyed in the cleansing flames, and after the second resurrection Satan and those who followed him perish together with no further probation for those whose cases are settled. The judgment's sentence is just, and the heavenly universe will see God's justice and acknowledge that His righteousness and law are above every power.

The wicked are judged according to their deeds and receive their recompense in the earth, with punishment differing in measure so that some are destroyed quickly while others suffer for many days. Punishment has degrees and every person is judged and punished according to deeds, obedience or disobedience to the law of Jehovah deciding destiny, because God's government is ordered so that no one escapes the result of his own course with cause followed by effect. Satan suffers more than those he deceived because he is punished both for his own rebellion and for the sins he caused God's people to commit. The judgment distinguishes the righteous, who receive eternal life, from the wicked, whose punishment varies in duration and intensity according to works and ends in the second death without hope of a resurrection, when the wicked are finally deprived of existence and sin and its ruin come to an end.

The judgment follows the close of mercy and probation after men have taken sides for or against the law of Jehovah, when God moves in the straight line of justice to give to every man as his works have been, some receiving the reward of well doing and others the reward of evil deeds. When judgment comes mercy will no longer plead for sinners, and refusing the present invitations of mercy leaves no second probation, for the impenitent are storing up wrath for that day when every case will soon be judged according to the record in heaven's books. Then wrongs can no longer be righted and each final choice fixes destiny before judgment is carried out. At that tribunal at Christ's appearing and kingdom, before the great white throne with books opened, each is judged according to works, no one can stand secure in pride or self-glorification, no one can safely disregard or alter God's word as standard, and each record of unchristian conduct or righteous deeds of mercy and love will determine reward and may bring shame unless one abides in Christ with plans and labors one with Him.

Thomas Paine will be raised at the end of the thousand years in the second resurrection to receive his reward and suffer the second death. The books opened for judgment are the record by which God judges the dead, and the Bible is the book that will judge Satan and his followers. The final judgment after the thousand years distinguishes the wicked from the righteous, contradicting claims that the dead are already exalted in heaven and that there is no difference between the holy and the vile.

The record of judgment does not mean the wicked suffer in hell through all eternity, a misuse portraying God as delighting in endless torture, whereas God is a tender and pitying friend who desires sinners to be saved, with every sin faithfully entered in His books. Judgment according to works takes place at Christ's second coming when every eye shall see Him, the unprepared inhabitants of earth receiving as their works have been with Satan unable to pay ransom for their souls. This includes poor deluded professed Christians content to let ministers search the Scriptures for them, and those who wrested the Scriptures and taught for doctrine the commandments of men, who must answer for souls led into error and apostasy, their end a wail of despair and agony with the voice of Omnipotence pronouncing upon them departure as workers of iniquity.

Book of Life Names

The book of life, the Lamb's book, holds the names of all who have entered God's service and belong to Christ, and those found written there are counted as God's people, delivered in the time of trouble and admitted into the city. The judgment is decided from what is written about names and deeds, for the books are opened and the dead are judged according to the record of their works. That examination weighs character, conduct and motives and brings a final settlement with reward, where being found wanting in love and obedience cannot afterward be corrected. Every true purpose and every act of right doing is entered there and will be remembered and rewarded by God. The book is searched for the names of those who will receive the final reward.

The book receives people of every race and station who give themselves to Christ, believe in Him and obey the truth, so that the black person's name stands written beside the white person's. Birth, status, nationality and color neither elevate nor degrade anyone before God. To have the name written there is enough even for one counted among the least and feeling unworthy of notice, for such are Christ's adopted heirs belonging to heaven though rejected by the sinful world.

A name on a church book and a profession of following Christ with a form of godliness do not place a name in the Lamb's book nor secure acceptance. Names are registered there by living in a way pleasing to God through watchfulness and prayer, self-denial and sacrifice, bearing a daily cross, coming out from the world and being separate, and imitating the life of Christ. The opened books record works and test character against God's holy law as the standard of righteousness, and those not found in the book of life face the lake of fire. Yet this judgment need not bring despair, for even the most sinful and defiled can come to Jesus and be saved, and each life must now be examined and put right with God.

Heaven's books faithfully record every person's name with sins and obedience, and one who commits sins too grievous for pardon has the name erased and is devoted to destruction, while the righteous do not bear the sinner's guilt. Moses' willingness to be blotted out with Israel illustrates Christ's love and mediation, but God refused to let Moses suffer for the people's sins and declared each sinner accountable for his own sin. Unless transformed through Christ's grace the name will not be found upon heaven's records, but one who humbles himself as a little child at the feet of Jesus stands registered there, and charges such as money used for self-glorification are also entered. Those who remain faithful to the end as God's great ones have their names in the Lamb's book and receive a purer, nobler immortality and an unfading crown of glory, better than being esteemed great among men.

A soon-coming review brings old and young into examination, especially those claiming to keep God's commandments, with the full record of thoughts, words, actions, light received and opportunities enjoyed laid open. That weighing exposes a blotted and blurred life record and finds wanting those lacking virtuous character, whose base passions, licentiousness and hidden lust were unseen by men but seen by the Lord. The result is names blotted from the Book of Life and the sentence to depart as workers of iniquity. The Judge turns the pages without mistake, human approval counts for nothing, and respectable position cannot exempt anyone lacking sincerity, true love to Christ who died to give life and peace and hope, and brotherly love to His redeemed brethren, since abuse of His saints is counted as done to Himself. Genuine faith working by love and purifying the soul is required, with confession and forsaking of sin now, obtaining the white robe of character, having sins blotted out and names retained in the Lamb's book, for those who received light yet never received transforming grace may have their names blotted out.

Those whose names are written in the book of life face no condemnation in the great grand review before the great white throne, because every case of those one with Christ has already been decided and they stand accepted in Him. The judging out of the books according to works then falls on those whose names are not written there. This presses the urgent personal question whether one's own name is written there and calls for laying aside nonessential cares to make sure of readiness. At the final reading before the throne a name belonging to one who trusted in Christ will not be recorded as lost or missing, but the redeemed will answer that they are saved by His blood and victory and will be acknowledged and rewarded as purchased by Him. Christ knows all His children by name in humble dwellings or palaces, the book holds the names of overcomers who reflect His image and keep the truth, and they alone are welcomed through the pearly gates while persistent transgressors of all righteousness are shut out lest another rebellion arise in heaven.

Everyone is judged by the true record of deeds kept in heaven, not by Christian profession or claim of faith, by reputation, or by personal estimate of worth. The judgment concerns fruit, for good character produces good fruit and corrupt character evil fruit, and deeds reveal whether the life glorified God or self. Having the name in the book requires watchfulness, prayer, self-denial and sacrifice in a life pleasing to God, bearing a daily cross, coming out from the world and imitating Christ, and right actions are the unmistakable fruits of true godliness for which the Judge gives to each according to works. The faithful heavenly account even exposes whether money was handled justly, and living as a Christian with a record of good acts and fulfilled duties is a serious duty with little time remaining to secure the immortal crown.

What the Review Covers

In that day worldly pleasures, riches and honors lose their importance and only righteousness is seen as valuable, for the garments chosen show allegiance and what transgressing the commandments means, and with scales fallen what seemed of no consequence appears holy, just, good and of immeasurable compass, perfect and converting the soul, with character and law alone as large as eternity when appearance and deception cease and each is seen as obedient or disobedient, loyal or disloyal.

The wicked become conscious of every sin, seeing just where feet diverged from purity and holiness and how far pride and rebellion carried them in violation of law, with departures, indulged temptations, perverted blessings, despised messengers, rejected warnings and resisted mercy appearing as if in letters of fire, recognizing the Father's sacrifice in giving His Son and that they could have been saved but rejected light, including those who rejected the divine sign, made void the law and led others to honor a false rest day, who then see Satan's deception and understand the sign's value. Those who reject invitations face results according to works, with guilt made unmistakable as the record reveals opposition to God and harm to His people.

The review examines not only wrong acts but good that could have been done and was neglected, with unheeded warnings, unused privileges and rejected mercy charged to the account, and those judged acknowledge they betrayed trust and presumed on mercy, while grace and moral power made available to change character and fit for the kingdom leaves neglect accountable. Warnings and appeals faithfully recorded enter the final investigation, calling for careful use of opportunities and abilities to glorify God and turn others from evil to good.

Every thought, word, motive, idle and false word, deceptive act and selfish act is open with no darkness concealing, for the heart is read as an open book, moral worth is weighed, and hidden plans appear as they truly are, including secret thoughts and vile acts bringing a spotted record that shuts out from the city unless resisted and overcome. Even irreverence and carelessness in worship are recorded, nothing escaping the all-seeing eye, while right acts, right thoughts, victories over temptation and efforts to do right are remembered, and prayer brings angelic help to guide, drive back evil and fit for sparing in wrath and crowning.

Words are faithfully registered and will stand unless repented of, bringing shame, including ordinary conversation, flattery, foolish jokes to provoke laughter, faultfinding recorded by an angel, belittling servants of God while exalting self, falsehoods, discord spread against the cause, harsh condemning unbecoming words, charges against others, oaths and sneers against law, seen at last as deceptive influences leading toward ruin. Every wrong by believer or unbeliever and especially by those in responsibility is recorded, with justice overlooking no dishonesty, oppression or injustice.

Every business transaction is written and judged according to works, including unjust dealing, fraud, shrewd oppressive scheming for profit, diverting means designed for God's work, overcharges and exactions traced by unseen messengers, with motives, actions and spirit weighed, so unrighteousness appearing as justice stands exposed at greater cost, answering not only for what was done but for all the good intercepted money might have accomplished. Daily conduct affecting others is met again, calling for right purposes and pure motives, with money withheld from the suffering, neglected widows and fatherless, and each tempting glass offered charged to those responsible.

The judgment accounts for stewardship of means and talents, including tithe belonging to God, robbery of the treasury, exacting high wages, betraying the cause, appropriating means for selfish ends, hoarding wealth or investing in unnecessary houses and costly furnishings, withholding revenue needed for the work and leaving workers in hardship, misapplication of entrusted talents, self-indulgence for effect, and speculative gambling investments, so that money unjustly claimed will prove dearest and claims of commendable deeds appear fearfully small beside what was left undone. Hoarding cannot be faced in peace, and faithfulness requires acting in life rather than postponing giving until after death, serving with unselfish generosity.

Conduct in family life is included, for parents are accountable for obeying the word, training children, impatient or careless words, neglect of home duties and misleading others, while faithful labor is acknowledged, and the daily influence of mothers preparing children for life or death is revealed and crowned when the Judge pronounces well done and places immortal glory, many saved pointing to a mother who through grace made them what they are by instruction and prayers. Teachers are personally accountable for every word, action and result toward children entrusted to them, and harshness, unjust charges or impatient treatment driving tempted souls to the enemy is recorded as sin against God, with teachers seeing where students' feet diverged and every neglect of the charge made apparent, so they must act to face that day without shame and train youth to aim for a good record and not grieve the Redeemer. Words harming children and shaping lives must also be answered for.

The judgment reviews how people treat one another, including deeds of love and compassion and comforting encouraging words, alongside injustice, harsh words, selfish arbitrary conduct, decisions wounding those for whom Christ died, and wrongs to fellow believers recorded as wrongs to Christ and punished according to works, revealing neglect, envy, wounding, hindering of God's work and turning souls from the right path, with unjust judges who oppressed the innocent made to see every injustice and suffering caused. Those in responsible positions are warned that conduct is recorded and urged to recognize wrong, repent and confess by faith in the crucified Savior before too late. Especially reviewed is injustice by those entrusted with responsibility, including selfish exactions, bruising hearts, hurting and destroying souls, driving people from Christ and interposing unconverted influence, who will meet those wounded and settle account with the Owner of souls, with harshness, coldness, unkindness and contempt that turned the lame out of the way answered for before God with victims present. Those holding influence, light and opportunity are judged for refusing light, turning aside counsel and opening the door to seductive influence.

The review brings to light how choices affected others, for those who led others from obedience, failed to use influence for righteousness, placed stumbling blocks, or rejected Sabbath light to avoid inconvenience must face the misled and will be found outside the city, including undershepherds gathered with those they influenced around the throne, preachers answering for souls presented unready, and college and school workers meeting youth with eternal consequences as work founded on love for God and law endures and the rest is consumed. Ministers claiming purity yet using position to lead to break law bear greater guilt, and their names and deeds are in the opened record. In that judgment those who rejected the divine sign, made void the law teaching it done away and nailed to the cross, and led others to honor a false rest day see Satan's deception and share wailing when they behold the pierced Christ in glory, as companions of His crucifiers, with retributive judgments on the unrepentant who give a man-made institution the honor due the Sabbath, while those obeying Sabbath teaching now will not face self-condemnation.

Professing Christians will answer for neglecting the degraded colored people of the South left in degradation when they might have been helped, with selfishness and covetousness withholding help, longing for privileges, clothing and instruction marked, testimony of suffering carried by angels, saying be warmed and fed while doing nothing, devising self-profit, opposing the work for white or black, cruelty inflicted, means withheld from mission fields, years lost, and burning of small Southern churches built in the field standing as witness before angels and men, for God hears cries as surely as Abel's blood and will judge inhuman cruelty, while a book records mercy to the unfortunate, widows and fatherless, sympathy, watchcare and help teaching self-help after Christ's example for all classes, to be revealed with reward for kindness and repayment of injustice to the poor. The neglected will bear witness against the Christian world, especially those entrusted with the last message.

Unjust treatment of workers, ministers and soul-saving agencies will be revealed with its full cost in confused souls and lost influence, including faultfinding, discouraging, counterworking the Spirit under cover against appointed agencies, sowing doubt, unsettling faith of believers and seekers while holding religious responsibilities, sarcastic references spoken against ministers as spoken against Christ introducing leaven and confusion, covering present truth with disrespect and contrary principles, so that souls who might have stood as overcomers are led into crooked paths and never see the closing message, with physicians' disparaging influence likewise disclosed and enemies of publishing and proclamation work receiving a verdict their sympathizers would not wish to hear. Wrong done to a fellow worker will be exposed in its true character when books are opened. The pope's words condemning the Waldenses and urging slaughter were recorded to confront him, for persecution of Christ's people is offense against Christ, and in the great day books will expose crimes of persecution of those who followed the Bible and dared think for themselves, too late to set right.

Heaven's books record time, talent and influence withheld after giving self to Satan, wasted moments, unimproved opportunities, cherished sins like selfishness, envy, pride, jealousy and idleness that can exclude from heaven by becoming masters, extravagant indulgence and dollars drawn from the treasury for ambitious projects, with every hour's work passing in review registered faithful or unfaithful, privileges, strength, neglected duties and use of time examined, and remaining time to be used to make a different record before sentence is pronounced. Even the saved suffer eternal loss from wasted opportunities. Lives are recorded, weighed and morally measured, with character formation of eternal consequence reached only by depending on and cooperating with Christ, false accusations not changing standing, and the Judge examining work and motives so no thought, word or act escapes, exposing loss from ignoring the Spirit and word when obedience required sacrifice. Whether moral image is restored is tested, for cherished sin works against it and iniquity chills love.

God keeps a reckoning with nations and individuals where figures accumulate as sin continues, registered with unerring accuracy, judging according to works in view of light given and resistance, disregard and rejection, with a point beyond which forbearance will not reach, when despised abundant mercy becomes wrath and long-deferred vengeance comes on the disobedient, unthankful and unholy, and when sins reach full measure wrath slumbers not. The books contain a register of dealings with fellow workers measured not by worldly business policy but by God's standard of righteousness, justice, mercy and Christ's Spirit, revealing business in God's institutions and publishing houses, respecting rights, generosity and courtesy pleasing the Father while selfishness and avarice oppose Christ, including false dealing over books, diverting design, forcing royalties, depriving rights, confusing judgment and turning profits from the Southern field into other channels, to be judged unless repented and set right. Every page of oppression, robbery and corrupt scheming in God's work stands written to react unless repented.

A record of deeds stands laying open guilt beneath profession of holiness, for outward show while pride, unbelief and selfishness rule, deceptive lives, concealed wrongs, prevarication and falsehoods will be exposed and not acknowledged by Christ, with contrast between professed sanctification and daily conduct proving accountability for actual deeds and often learned too late. God unrolls a record scroll exposing secret disobedience place by place with results of unchristlike actions, measuring works against love to God with all heart, soul and strength and neighbor as self, revealing following Eden's footprints in breaking law, drifting imperceptibly into temptation with feeble resistance, lifting self-will as law against the Lord's standard, and failing to feed on the Word so actions did not come from eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son. Every thought, word and action then brings its harvest, including evil-surmising, evil-speaking, suspicions and unkind words never unsaid, with physicians' bedside transactions, circumstances, treatment and fidelity recorded by a present witness, condemning wicked selfish practice, rewarding pure faithful work, and judging corruption of souls and bodies.

Every person's whole life is considered and each case decided forever according to works in view of light and privileges, with unseen witnesses observing, human reasoning unable to change what is written, conduct determining destiny and disloyalty bringing consequences, all assigned to two classes with eternal life or death and no middle ground as character, feelings and motives are plainly revealed by obedience or violation. God's law is the standard weighing moral character formed in probation, and those not correcting defects and becoming like Christ are unfit for heaven. Buildings erected testify to faith or unbelief, for large expensive buildings for display consume means that should warn byways and hedges of the coming Savior, convert no one and condemn as unbelief in the soon end, while simple well-constructed buildings and humble work in fear of God corresponding with the warning show faith by works. Unfaithful shepherds who knew truth but treated obedience as optional and failed with earnest persuasive influence to warn souls and urge obedience as life and death will meet this judgment and be accused by the lost for deceiving them and making no personal effort to save them, where keeping commandments as written makes the difference between life and death and reach of forgiveness.

Sentence and Final Outcome

The wicked world stands before God accused of treason against Heaven's government, with no defense to offer and no excuse to plead. The sentence pronounced upon them is eternal death, shutting them out of the city of God to perish miserably with the ungodly. That final reckoning is the eternal condemnation of the devil and all his sympathizers, all who served under his jurisdiction and identified themselves with him, each receiving as works have been. When the Judge demands why they have done so, no reason can be assigned and no cause pleaded; every tongue is silent, every mouth once ready for evil, accusation, recrimination and falsehood is stopped, tongues cleaving to the roof of the mouth, and the whole world of rebellion stands speechless with the place where sin entered specified. Those who refused obedience during probation could not safely be admitted to the kingdom, for they would oppose its law and bring another rebellion, and the cross shows God loving even as He executes judgment.

The acknowledgment wrung from the guilty is forced by an awful sense of condemnation and fearful expectation of judgment after every case has been decided for life or death. The Judge need not declare guilt in words, but casts one penetrating, convicting glance that vividly recalls every deed and transaction of life, while sins concealed from men and hidden from human knowledge are proclaimed to the whole world. Without being hunted out as in Joshua's day, each person's own lips confess shame, yet because sin is no longer purged by sacrifice nor offering forever, such late confession cannot save. Then confession and weeping are of no avail, and evading the truth provides no defense for ingratitude and rebellion.

The same opening of the records reveals the life records of the faithful, including good done by devoted Christians whose work was little known in this life. Gathered around the great white throne when earth perishes, the redeemed stand without fault because Christ's blood has removed every sinful tendency and imperfection. They share the dignity and privileges of angels, with Christ's moral beauty and character shining through them and imparted to them. As probation closes each name is either registered in the Lamb's book of life or absent from it, and those gathered as redeemed have overcome sin by grace and give thanks for salvation. Faithful workers will then see souls saved through their labor, including those who helped bring still others to salvation, sharing the Redeemer's glory, laying crowns at Jesus' feet and praising Him forever.

Every true purpose and every act of right doing is recorded in the book of life, and righteous acts will be remembered and rewarded by God. God faithfully records generosity, privation and self-denial in His cause, every sacrifice, act of self-denial and anguish endured for His sake, to be brought to light and rewarded at the day of the Lord. That great day of accounts will reveal faithful, persevering labor for children and others, especially patient, kindly, loving help given to unpromising, neglected and shunned ones with difficult hereditary tendencies and peculiar tempers. Eternity alone will then reveal the amount of good accomplished, how God regards the work, and the reward of the laborer, showing those earnest in helping such cases with many stars in their crown of rejoicing.

The great white throne is the future meeting place where everyone will be rewarded as works have been, judged according to deeds done in the body as written in the book. Present choice decides that reward and determines the side on which each stands when all are separated according to allegiance at Christ's coming in glory. It is better to bear the cross for Christ and follow His self-denying path now than to have every wish satisfied and lose heaven and eternal life. Those who accept grace, come off conquerors and overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be greeted there as overcomers receiving the crown of life, while those who despise mercy and follow self will lose heaven at last. Because the summons may come without a moment's warning with no sickbed for preparation, work must be done with fidelity now, with hope that souls warned to behold the Lamb of God who takes away sin will stand there also to testify to that faithfulness through the open door into life set before men.

The opening of the great books lays bare the motives of every heart, exposing unbelief and siding with the first great rebel in making God's Word of none effect, leaving men without excuse. There is then no excuse for treating God's plain commandments as of little moment or passing them by with indifference. The judgment pronounces the awful and inevitable sentence upon the transgressor that the wages of sin is death, executed against despisers of His unchanging law as the act of a God of love shown by the cross. While the transgressor dies, the righteous who do His commandments enter into life with right to the tree of life and entrance through the gates into the city.

The full results of working contrary to God's purposes, and the full burden of gospel work, will not be known until the books are opened and each is judged according to deeds done in the body. Then will be known what the Lord wrought for His people and poor perishing sinners through preaching with burden for souls, invitation of sinners and backsliders, supplication for the Holy Spirit, conviction of minds, compassion and pitying tenderness, earnest prayer, and turning to the Lord with confession and contrition. The good accomplished by humble, devoted Christians cannot be fully known until that revelation of the records.

Call to Present Preparation

Sins not repented of and forsaken remain in the records to witness against the sinner in the day of God, for every evil deed whether done in light or darkness, concealed or denied, is open before God, witnessed by angels and registered without mistake, since darkest night cannot veil thought from Him who pierces disguise and reads the inner life; even small dishonesty counts, repeated petty sins shape greater wrongdoing, and what is dismissed as unimportant can keep one from the city, with profession unable to hide selfish acts, wrong words, unfulfilled duty, secret sin and deceit unless broken surrender brings confession.
The sins of the truly penitent are blotted from the records through Christ's atoning blood cleansing the sanctuary, so now before the books are opened is a day of confession urging repentance, turning to God, honest self-examination, humbling of heart, forsaking wrongs and trust in Christ for forgiveness and the robe of righteousness, with pardon written against the name and times of refreshing from the Lord; he who will not confess from pride goes on adding sin to sin and will be left without help.
Dishonest acts stand recorded and will be exposed unless confession, repentance and full restitution lead to pardon written against the name, for God writes every business transaction, unjust dealing, shrewd oppressive scheming, diverting of means designed for His work, words, decisions and deeds as evidence; the record is sponged away only by repentance, confession and making right where a brother is injured, otherwise one meets the work with all its evil results and accounts also for good the money might have done, with deception and falsehood hindering growth and injuring the cause until repented and righted.
Christ has made grace and moral power available so character can be changed and fitted for the kingdom, and those who refuse provision and do not live out His words are accountable for neglect of good they could and should have done; God is strict against persistent impenitence yet ready to pardon the contrite and reward the faithful, so prospect of loss should awaken fear rather than hardness, and even the most defiled need not despair but may come to Jesus and be saved, cooperating with Him in meekness learning His lowliness.
Because judgment is according to works it is of tremendous importance that works be right works, and probationary time with its opportunities is granted to make calling and election sure by prizing time, improving every talent, faithful stewardship over self, keeping the soul in God's love, simple increasing faith and dependence on God who keeps through faith unto salvation; confusion will come to those not prepared and not making God their dependence while striving only for earthly inheritance, for each life account closes at death to be unsealed in final settlement, requiring building now on solid rock with sins confessed and forgiven.
To stand acquitted requires a character without spot or stain or fault before a pure holy God, formed by doing God-given work and cooperating with Christ in meekness and lowliness to meet the moral standard without spot or wrinkle; every defect must be removed in this life by receiving the Spirit, secret prayer, taking hold of divine power, prizing blessings and earnestness in spiritual things rather than zeal only in worldly business, for the judgment opens books as testimony to salvation or loss with astonishing revelations, especially solemn for those sharing others' sins, calling those in responsibility to review conduct, recognize wrongdoing and repent and confess before too late.
Careless or self-pleasing choices and words matter and deeds determine destiny, for willful knowing sins are not erased by late resolves or tears; character must be formed in this life because it cannot be changed when Christ comes or as death approaches, daily conduct revealing and shaping character that remains unchanged through death and resurrection, requiring repentance and overcoming of defects through grace while probation lasts, with each developing character and revealing motives by choices in every work bearing on destiny.
Those who imitate Christ in obedience to commandments will be blessed in that judgment when books are opened including the book of life for deeds done in the body, and one who rises above appetite and passion through moral self-control can stand with name written in heaven's books.
The opening of books for small and great is a momentous solemn future reality to keep in view, bringing astonishing revelations where every action and its prompting spirit is revealed, including injustice, harsh words and wounding of those Christ died for through selfish arbitrary conduct turning souls aside; it warns those in responsible positions that conduct is recorded, urges recognition of wrongdoing, repentance and confession by faith in the crucified living Savior, raises who can stand faultless with sins entered under selfishness as general heading with covetousness, ambition, jealousy and intemperance beneath, and calls for removing defects now by spiritual earnestness rather than worldly zeal.
In the great day each case is decided and the life record faced, a solemn reckoning of life and entrusted responsibilities where all transactions registered appear and each receives according as works have been, with clear sharp remembrance with nothing escaping memory, every word and action and its results brought to view against the law as standard; therefore now is time to search the heart as with lighted candle, order business and religious life to keep hallowed peace and godly example, cultivate tender love in labor, guard the spirit, pray, help in church and surrender fully, since words heard may save and teachers answer for children entrusted.
No transaction is hidden and each is judged individually according to works done in the body which God knows and sees, calling each to right relation to Him and remembrance that He sees all; this applies to unfaithful stewardship, robbing the treasury, exacting high wages, betraying the cause and selfish appropriation, where money unjustly claimed will prove dearest, and excuses about land, oxen, marriage and temporal matters for refusing the royal banquet will then be weighed for how forcible they appear.
Every person whatever age, rank, nation or standing is judged according to works with searching care that cannot be bribed or deceived, weighing character by eternal justice and the law of righteousness formed in probation; judgment is close accurate discrimination not loose averaging, trying each case when it is too late to right wrongs, saving only those bringing Christ's maxims into life, excluding those not correcting defects and becoming like Christ as unfit for heaven, exposing excuses and counterworking of messages, hindering advance, discouraging ministry and faultfinding.
Everyone will stand before God to make clear whether each belongs among pure and holy around the throne or among those rejected and sent away as workers of iniquity, with no neutrality and eternal consequence of living with God or perishing; each answers for own life not only for words and deeds but motives and spirit, including refusal to follow Christ, rejecting light for complacency, choosing men's sayings over truth, giving up faith under trial and breaking commandments with the first apostate.
The certainty of judgment gives urgent value to every soul, so even speaking to neighbors carries weight of eternity and calls for intense interest in salvation; all will surround the throne to render account for opportunities especially duty to build the church and win souls by precept and example, sowing truth in meekness while trusting God, with unappreciated unimproved opportunities to be answered for.
The judgment applies to one whose reckless intemperate life is unreformed facing condemnation unless he overcomes through Jesus, and as judgment nears true character, allegiance and company become plain; false accusations do not change standing with God though they may drive nearer to Christ, mattering only by effect on relation to the Redeemer.
When records are opened every act and even motive will be revealed, and those refusing to confess now will acknowledge errors before the universe and share punishment due; at the throne each will hear the life record with every sin revealed unless blotted by Christ's blood, calling for serious thought now, humbling before God and coming to Calvary for peace.
The coming judgment when books are opened makes it urgent to correct wrongs and remove difficulties between believers now rather than hinder progress and unity, to use abilities and resources to do good so present work withstands review, to live with judgment in view aiming to meet the account with joy not grief, and to consider how to stand through pardon by Calvary; warnings and appeals are faithfully recorded and enter the account in the final investigation after this last great day of atonement for confession and forsaking of sin when every deed is tried before the universe.
People are accountable with lives recorded and will be judged and rewarded or punished according to work, each giving account of entrusted use with no later opportunity whether life ends suddenly or summons comes without warning; books record what was done or left undone, fidelity now decides the reckoning, and near earth's close all must meet records good or evil, living so as not to be ashamed, resisting wrong and strengthening right, hoping warned souls will stand to testify to faithfulness through the open door in Christ.
Jesus will open record books where words and actions were faithfully recorded day by day, revealing how life was spent and now lived, whether in light or self-service, with self-denial, consecration, faithfulness for others and souls saved or lost, deciding sitting with Christ and whether the crown is starless; this exposes failure including parents' example shaping children toward Christ or the world, and includes lost time, lost experience, teaching, testimony and departing to Satan's side, requiring asking how the record stands and escaping peril.
God examines every action with searching gaze reaching every heart, weighing every act and bringing hidden unsuspected sin into the record; unseen messengers in every assembly trace full accounts of exactions, overcharges and unjust dealing even in the Lord's work, which God supervises, so unrighteousness appearing as justice and inequitable fees by lawyer, minister or physician will stand exposed at greater cost and make doers wish for a different record when the case comes in final accounts.
Every word and act is recorded and disgraceful entries cannot be erased by human effort, so careless speech and conduct matter; even least neglected duty appears as evidence, every idle unprofitable word and common worldly talk not on eternal things is written, with special force to professing youth without saving power who face condemnation without entire thorough conversion, requiring sanctified speech pure enough to be faced without shame and faithful responsibility in Christ's service.
Words and writings are recorded and brought into account, where idle mischievous communications bring shame while letters shaped by Jesus' love build up; every thought, word and act is examined, life being preparation requiring purity of thought and unselfish action to answer to God.
Words, actions, influence on others, prayers and neglected duties are recorded by angels and considered, with response to light and privilege affecting outcome; a guardian angel may guide those sincerely praying for help away from wrong, but neglecting to seek strength leads astray and that neglect is entered leaving one wanting, while God reads heart thoughts with nothing concealed, remembers right acts, victories and efforts, and evil deeds bring punishment unless repented, confessed and washed by atoning blood, with help sent to stand by, guide and drive back evil angels unto sparing in wrath and crowning.
Every hour's work passes in review registered faithful or unfaithful to be met when books are opened, including wasted moments, unimproved opportunities and cherished selfishness, envy, pride, jealousy, idleness or any cherished sin becoming master and excluding from heaven; a life neglecting salvation leaves shameful record, wasted opportunities bring eternal loss even for the saved, so remaining time should make a different record, with withholding devotion, talents and influence after light affecting the account without repentance and reformation.
The judgment sits with books opened in sight of the universe revealing mothers' daily influence preparing children for life or death; the Judge pronounces well done and crowns victors with immortal glory, many lifting the crown to point to mother as making them what they are through grace by instruction and prayers blessed to salvation, so faithful mothers receive reward.
The great day is when the dead stand before God judged by what is written with the book of life also opened, and sight of this and Christ's coming with power calls for earnest decisive preaching on consequences of accepting or rejecting truth; soon Christ comes to each name passing judgment on every unchristlike word and deed, so people must wake and get ready before He reaches their name.
People will face judgment when books are opened and lives assessed, where those obeying Sabbath teaching now will not face self-condemnation while rejecters promoting a false rest day will see disobedience exposed.
People are judged by works because actions reveal obedience or violation of law, each character, feeling and motive plainly revealed and all assigned to two classes with eternal life or death and no middle ground as Christ separates righteous from wicked.
The record opened includes professing truth with sins under headings, selfishness as general heading with covetousness, ambition, jealousy and intemperance further, raising who can stand justified faultless before a holy God.
The judgment examines recorded lives of professing truth with a ledger of fidelity, character, experiences and efforts including qualities with which they did it, where courage, integrity, care for vulnerable and labor are recorded while strength and success are credited to grace; names and deeds matter, good deeds and sins are disclosed revealing faithfulness, each recognizing guilt and loss through sin, with daily providential efforts to keep meek and tenderhearted also shown.
All deeds and cruel work against God's cause are recorded while suffering borne by servants is chronicled, for God sees and registers every deed and is not to be trifled with; wrongs stand written bringing a curse where not put away by acknowledgment, hardened guilt trampling conscience with unfair assaults being written for judgment, even when not yet disclosed.
Every page of oppression, robbery and corrupt scheming in God's work is written, including disregarding justice in handling books, confusing judgment, crowding out and diverting profits and means designed for the needy Southern Field, securing books, forcing royalties and depriving rights; unless repented with unregretted repentance and set right they will be judged from those books, for God sanctions none of that spirit and abhors satanic principles done in His name, with reward according to works revealing how sacred trust could hinder brethren.
Heaven's books will be revealed to the lost testifying that those knowing truth but self-confident, self-sufficient and self-deceived became Satan's helpers deceiving souls to lose eternal life, awful when others charge loss of souls within reach but for unbroken proud hearts refusing confession; therefore now is time to wash robes white in the Lamb's blood and not lose heaven.
With judgment set neglected duties and harmful example are brought to account, where even ministers and parents with opportunity may be judged to have led others from righteousness and be told to depart; God records neglect including parental failure training children whose influence damages spiritual life, requiring facing recorded deeds again.
God will require return in proportion to value people set on themselves and their services, judged by no less standard than they established; if talents were accounted great and high estimate placed on abilities, service proportionate to own estimate and demands must be rendered, and those demanding much must render accordingly.
The whole world even now passes in review before One who never mistakes, with books opened when each case is decided recording every unfair self-serving act especially overreaching, commercialism and advantage in buying, selling and dealing with brethren; those in right relation will stand while those under rebuke for unfair dealing, covetous practices, deceptions and lies will never pass the portals, only strictest integrity entering, requiring change of ambition to unselfishness and seeking spiritual things above self-advantage.
The opening includes the book of remembrance confronting each at the bar revealing God's long-suffering and full responsibility, the web of influence, direct bearing of course on others and good influence possible under Christ's banner; prospect of revelation calls sinners to come to Christ now, repent and be converted that sins may be blotted out.
God knows each by name with every transaction and word written to be met, placing responsibility to wisely improve capabilities to serve and glorify Him; with judgment soon and time short each must ask how the record stands, whether seeking dignity or following Jesus, improving talents, running farm or business in strict honesty and bringing sheaves by showing duty, for faithfulness in that greater work decides.
Each past is kept beyond personal power to change, making earnest what books testify; God bears long but when visiting transgressions requires the past and judges from what is written, requiring faithful stewardship of grace.
Judgment will bring every action before God for review with opened books as record, calling for care in decisions affecting others and work entrusted; a coming vindication will test every work with heaven's Ledger bearing just record good or evil, where those laboring despite abuse, calumny and falsehood submit lives and results to dispassionate judgment awaiting triumph.
Heaven registers sins and transactions connected with reproof including refusal to be corrected, deceit, falsehood, underhand dealing and justifying transgressors making reproof void; by refusing correction people sentence themselves and uphold wrong to suffer with transgressors unless humbled in genuine repentance, yet registered sins can be blotted when sinner sees crooked ways, repents, converts and turns; deeds resisting light stand until full confession, unconfessed unforgiven sins not overlooked overcoming those excusing or concealing them.
Those sustaining a deceived leader will be judged according to works; flatterers calling evil good, refusing warnings and upholding delusion find no place unless coming out, with books opening chapters of experience before heaven where light reveals companionship with satanic agencies, self-exaltation and wrong work as it is.
The dead will stand judged by opened books including faithfulness as stewards; those withholding God's portion must answer, and misusing reserved funds to pay debts is recorded as unfaithfulness creating account to settle, revealing lack of principle cultivating traits excluding from God's family.
Human actions are tested and good work recorded, but a physician sacrificing lives through ignorance, inadequate study and careless experimentation may have murder written against him even without evil intent or malice, revealing responsibility attached to such work.
God sees everyday failures to do justice such as careless neglect of another's property and not faithfully putting in paid time, and these are registered.
A person's actions are recorded as basis of judgment, and dishonest or compromised business dealings spoil the record; a record of deeds including misspent time, undone good and influence of example must be faced, making present conduct consequential.
The books contain true record including false witness against innocent and faithful unselfish service; God judges righteously so wrongs will be set in true light as they should be.
Each must face lifework feature after feature through whole existence before God who knows every thought with all doings as open book; contemplating that complete record exposes sinfulness, distinction of converted and unconverted and need of Christ, calling for needing a helper and changing at once from Satan's banner to Christ's blood-stained banner with old spirit changed for Christ's amid surrounding iniquity.
When books are opened it will be revealed what work was done; for physicians professing Christ the record shows whether they made Jesus attractive and built barriers against the world or lowered holiness letting souls sink through love of pleasure and impatience with rules.
Heaven's record holds full shameful history of dishonest scheming, selfish unholy principles, injustice and oppression even in the Lord's work to be seen when opened, including unfair dealings, unearned wages and robbing workers.
The day of God opens the ledger judging ministers who pretended purity and gospel trust but used confidence to allure souls to transgress, leading the unwary to break the seventh commandment by sophistry that licentious indulgence is spiritual harmony; their guilt exceeds common sinners for higher profession, reaping licentiousness confronted by ruined souls under condemnation and retributive justice according to exalted position assumed.
Heaven keeps a ledger registering everything including secret nightly conduct, bodily position, attitudes, affections and hourly use of time even shameful before angels, so each must face whether to want it kept; unchristian acts and conversation such as man and woman spending night in embrace instead of beds stand offensive, reproaching the cause and proving light unheeded and thoughts unpurified.
Heaven's books are open now during probation keeping accurate record of education and golden moments, every day learning for eternity with thoughts and impulses impressing mind; what is written reveals condemnation unless removed, but time remains valuable for bliss and anyone coming with truly repentant heart and faith in Christ's blood as atonement can have sins blotted, leaving fleshly life to live by faith on the Son.
People are recorded and standing revealed by deeds; harsh selfish oppressive robbers are recorded as disobeying Christ, and schemes and mutual support cannot make record favorable, so wrongs must cease for favor.
Failure to show justice, judgment and equity in dealing with God's people dishonors God and stands registered with truth to be revealed; when reproof comes men in responsibility must heed and begin reformation by correcting evils in themselves after signified displeasure at unfaithful dealing.
God keeps faithful record including secret suspicions, jealousy and influence; wrongdoers must recognize full extent and retrace every step, and record is not blotted until they do.
Excuses for refusing the gospel invitation concerning land, oxen, marriage and temporal matters will be brought to judgment, and each should consider now how forcible they will appear then.
Words of hatred toward a parent stand registered to be revealed and rewarded, and disobedience, unloveliness, contempt, settled hatred and heartache caused a mother are noticed and kept as fearful guilt exactly as the Lord regards it even when self misinterprets; continuing forms character not for heaven on the broad road to hell, sympathy with such course also recorded, calling for humble confession and crucifixion of self.
Heaven's books record words and works by which destiny is decided, so youth should aim for good record and be taught not to sin because it grieves the Redeemer and its wages is death; trainers must not drive tempted souls to the enemy by harshness, unjust charges or impatient treatment, for God records such treatment as sin against Himself.
God reads even heart thoughts with nothing concealed, remembers right acts, victories, resisted temptations and efforts to do right, and evil deeds bring punishment unless repented, confessed and washed by atoning blood.
God keeps a heavenly record to be met, weighs moral worth and holds each responsible for life, health, abilities and opportunities entrusted.
Every good or evil word is accounted for, every prompting of the Spirit toward goodness recorded, and those through whom God brought light will be commended; on that day servants as instruments will see results including people helped toward salvation with gratitude, while all praise belongs to God and the Lamb.
A record with no omissions or mistakes includes neglected opportunities to serve and acts of faith and love; faithful service is remembered while failure is also recorded, testifying whether life bore sinful desires, neglected duties, unfaithfulness and disregard of mercy or self-denial and persevering growth in holiness to be answered for.
The dead are judged from records including every work of righteousness, temptation resisted and evil overcome, and faithful deeds and influence endure into the future world, with the book of life also involved.
People's words, works and spirit are recorded; those misusing probationary time and neglecting privileges will face the record and be found wanting.
Lives are recorded and people face judgment according to deeds; words and actions shape character, influence continues, and the record will be met receiving according to what was done.
Sins are faithfully recorded and people judged according to deeds; those spreading falsehoods must answer for them.
Earthly life ends before coming judgment when deeds confront; neglect of duty is registered calling to examine character and use lives to bear eternal fruit, with sins to be repented and blotted by the Lamb's blood else remaining recorded.
Thoughts, words and actions are recorded and people reap what they sow; daily conduct bears fruit for eternal life or misery and corruption.
Family duties and failures are recorded; parents are accountable for care and training of youth, and neglecting that duty is unfaithfulness.
The books record those counted holy though unaware and not boasting; the righteous are humble seeing unworthiness and difference from Christ, and being God's family is honor not ground for self-praise.
People are registered, and those accepting Christ are not registered as Christians if they refuse self-denial and do not place themselves where the Lord can work through them by His Spirit.
Each life account is closed at death to be unsealed in final settlement, and since living is the reality of the grave one must know self, make election sure, have sins forgiven and build on solid rock unmoved.
Every deed is written with account to be given especially by those charging God foolishly, so because God judges from it no man or group should take the judgment seat over Christ's ways in His saints while blind to own imperfection.
The verdict on opposers of God's people will be revealed in that judgment when books are opened and each judged by record.
Judgment comes to each name upon every unchristlike word and action, including selfish business, neglect of mercy to the needy and robbery of God in His saints, with Christ coming to each name in heaven's record books.
The verse calls for examining standing and asking whether one's name is in heaven's books including the Lamb's book; review among churches, families and individuals must consider covenant-keeping and loyalty with the seventh-day Sabbath as test and seal of obedience, without distinct loyalty no mark received.
Heaven's books register conduct including illicit love and liberties as adultery; they reveal covetous thoughts as well as words and deeds leaving guilty without excuse or defense when opened, so hidden sin must be acted upon not cloaked upon the church.
A present record of unjust dealings will bring shame, so wrongs should be corrected by work joining love with justice when each is judged good or evil.
Every case comes under review judged by what is recorded good or evil including wounding words, and matters unclear in life will be made plain with truth about work revealed in final accounting.
At the throne people must answer for choices judged by light shining on pathway from God's throne; those with opportunity to accept light but rejecting it, including those failing to apply Scripture to cleanse hearts, will have no excuse with conduct and reasons brought before God.
God pronounces judgment repaying each in line with what was done; those beclouded about sin are fearfully deceived and unless decidedly changed will be found wanting as transgressors and covenant breakers.
The dead around the throne are Christ's subjects; acquaintance with Jesus as best friend in youth places children there, and now is open door for parents to teach, wrestle in prayer against the enemy and train children as missionaries, for neglected children will not stand there.
Wrong deeds are recorded with the book of life also opened to be judged from what is written; a child fearing a retaliatory blow would be entered asked forgiveness and was assured after confession and prayer it would not be put in the book.
Judgment opens books revealing the record now made by daily conduct toward others, whether self-love controlled or unselfish good was done; being judged by works means meeting keeping or breaking law in neglect or care for others, and living only for self builds a record met with shame and reluctance.
A record of conduct and work is kept and brought into account, so people should examine lives for known sin and consider what to do to meet God's requirements.
A person's work is recorded and failure can be written there; woes, wickedness and abuse concealed within marriages stand among deeds judged.
A record is kept of sinful actions including embezzling God's goods and misusing means for His cause; actions reveal character, and belief in truth should lead to sanctified decisive change.
God keeps a record of sins of nations and individuals, and when sins reach full measure and long forbearance is exhausted His wrath slumbers not.
Deeds and words even in secret are witnessed and recorded as evidence; secret adultery is not hidden from the Witness and will be accounted for.
Every life leaves a record unchangeable at death, making life solemn; penitence, repentance and confession in last days affect that record giving hope the pitying Redeemer accepts the sinner to sleep in Jesus.
All unrighteous actions are recorded, so stewards must be fair showing strict justice to workers in schools, publishing houses, sanitariums and food factories, paying justly for faithful work and never holding back wages for profit or show, dealing as brethren with respect, kindness and Christ's Spirit as accountable to a Master in heaven.
When judgment sits actions appear just as they are; deceivers appearing righteous will be exposed because the record shows what each truly did.
When books are opened no one can excuse sin; privilege of sharing divine nature and escaping corruption is given yet all are sinners, and cleansing is available through the fountain for Judah and Jerusalem.
God keeps books where works are written with nothing hidden even from parents hidden from Him; this includes frivolous course, coquetry, flippant behavior reproaching parents and cause, deception, prevarication and falsehood to escape censure, standing until wrongs are retraced, crooked made straight and falsehoods confessed, without which no freedom or clear soul.
On the last day the truth about faithfulness, wrongdoing and response to warnings will be revealed when sentence is pronounced; the record of what people do is opened and each judged by deeds done in the body including whether sins were confessed or boasted and blamed on others.
The dead face judgment with fixed account of words and actions; knowing harsh words remain calls the living to tenderness, kindness, patience and forgiveness now, for after death separates members they will meet around the throne where treatment of brethren, influence, kind words, timely sympathy, turning away surmising and spiritual help are judged, with no opportunity then to recall unkindness, confess faults or wipe impressions.
A person's conduct is recorded and brought into account, with deceptive acts registered as part of judging record; deeds and choices will reveal life results, though school losses may accompany heavenly gain in character and souls saved far greater than cost.
Neglected opportunities and calls to obey the Spirit and word will be brought to account when books open with losses fully known, for God takes account of every word, act and thought.
The dead are judged from what is written, and trials, griefs, difficulties and sorrows are also recorded with heaven taking care of them.
People will stand before God, and prospect of standing with the spiritually lost makes their fate and our care for them a matter of accountability.
Deeds and words are recorded for judgment by that record, showing wrongful conduct and neglect bring accountability.
Careless unfair decisions are recorded under God's unseen witness, and people remain accountable for how they treat others.
Every person will be judged according to works on a solemn day, and the record of wrongdoing including consent to robbing the treasury must then be faced.
The books record how stewards deal with entrusted means and they must answer, including withholding revenue needed to establish and advance God's work leaving workers in dearth and hardship.
A person's conduct and response to reproof are recorded; ignoring warnings and following unwise counsellors leaves unclean record requiring decided change of policy for it to be clean.
The books record worth including surrendered heart and useful industrious dependable life rather than idle sporting burden; in judgment one is placed in heavenly scale testing cultivated virtue, and honor or failure is decided by what is written.
All good works are written and each will meet that record; because there is heaven to win and hell to shun, Christ-life must shine now so good deeds stand then and receive the crown and life measuring with God's life.
Every person will be judged by God according to works; God holds each life in His hands and no earthly ruler stands above Him.
People's character and actions are recorded during probationary life in which each develops character through choices in every work, bearing on destiny.
Threats, false statements, extorting from brethren and robbing the treasury when unrepented stand registered, and the dead are judged from those things, so wrongs must be earnestly prayed over, faced and righted without delay lest the account close at variance with God.
There are bright fair books where names are written; a well-built symmetrical Christian reaching to Christ stays consistent in speech without frivolity and inquires whether his name is written there, not falling into declension.
God in heaven sees children and keeps a book of all they do; doing right and overcoming wrong feelings and fretful words is written with a smile, doing wrong is marked against, and only good obedient patient children trying to do right with no black mark will enter the kingdom and city to receive gold wreath and harp with music, no sickness or temptation but lasting happiness, fruit and flowers, for one disobedient child would spoil heaven's harmony.
Doing right is written in God's book and doing wrong marked against, which matters when Jesus comes and the faithful are welcomed and rewarded.
Nero trembled at this tribunal according to deeds, briefly welcomed it as possible pardon, then rejected it until opportunity closed and he suffered retributive judgment.
The books will be opened before the universe, and a life of disobedience will bring shame and remorse at loss of eternal life.
Harshness and lack of sympathy toward unfavored people is registered as great sin, and names of those with intensified lustful appetites are recorded as transgressors.
All mourning, fretting and complaining are written including real thoughts as unhappy complainings and will astonish when presented, so no complaint should be uttered but gratitude woven in contemplating the better land with no tears, trials, losses or reproaches but peace and joy; such thoughts make spiritually minded with vigor, living water, divine image and hope with the Comforter abiding.
God investigates character and judges by works with law as standard, so knowing sinners cannot presume on mercy under searching as with lighted candles; godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation while worldly sorrow merely regrets exposure, cherishes sin and leads to death, yet prospect does not make repentance too late.
Petty dishonesty, selfish neglect and waste are recorded as selfishness, and unkind looks and words day after day accurately reveal character and bring judgment from records.
Heaven's books hold daily records including trifling in dress and lightness of mind, revealing whether those saying Christian truly represent Jesus or misrepresent Him like false signboard, needing individual humbling of heart.
The Lord's eye over all knows every thought, deed and action to judge each as works have been, which applies to members persecuting brethren with speeches, prejudice, jealousy, suspicion, accusation and wounding while taking the judgment seat, for which they must render account and be judged.
All stands registered with every sin remaining unless removed; thorough broken-hearted repentance with works meet for repentance brings forgiveness and blotting with light, peace and freedom, while covering, equivocating, evading and excusing to escape disgrace leaves record standing.
All is written for judgment according to works; God's eye notices secret works and heart thoughts faithfully recorded, and covering, hiding and passing on as though no great wrong does not remove it, with fearful retribution awaiting the guilty.
Human actions are recorded and brought to light including resisting the Spirit and rejecting mercy sent; departures are recorded with retribution following, and refusers reap what was sown.
On the great day every action meets its doers proclaiming itself, with selfish scheming and unjust dealings robbing others testifying against the wrongdoer, so actors will not be pleased to meet it with every wrong written against names.
The dead are judged with words and deeds witnessed by heavenly beings carrying eternal consequences; those teaching error must answer for people led astray.
Every soul is judged by books with character examined by holy law including influence on others, so those led into disobedience are charged to the leader with nothing escaping sight and depths of hearts open.
Choosing conformity to God's will by obeying commandments and abiding in love decides what is written when account is rendered; parents stand in decision choosing for eternity for themselves and children as God's property bought by blood, with sentiments, example, treatment of plain injunctions and influence deciding destiny and answering for leading in false paths teaching the moral standard lightly.
Record books show how means are used, how little or much for good, and spending foolishly for fancy while neglecting duty such as caring for aged mother stands written to be met with shame and remorse, calling for changing course and awakening now.
Actions make a history written in heaven to be met, so persisting in wrong course creates unwelcome record.
Wicked actions are recorded even when not yet disclosed, and accepting unbelief, sophistry and untruthful claims in learning and teaching has consequences regretted when judged when books bring every deed to account.
Words and deeds recorded to be faced make clear whether one followed sin or turned to God in self-denial and temperance.
A heavenly record preserves practical details including business and home events; withholding tithes and offerings is robbery requiring repentance and restitution before judgment with answer for what books show.
Past wrongs including deception, evasion and falsehood remain recorded until repented and made right, hindering growth, character and God's cause.
All acts, deeds and words are now passing in review faithfully chronicled as angels watch character developed, and by words each will be justified or condemned, so improper bitter much talk causing barrenness and darkness with independent spirit and self-esteem must be yielded and subdued by grace to be accepted.
In final account God opens a great book with every case including physicians' bedside transactions, circumstances, treatment and fidelity; God looks on heart understanding spirit, reading thoughts and noticing actions to reward according to works, condemning wicked dishonest selfish practice and rewarding pure faithful unselfish work for Christ, judging those corrupting souls and bodies while only daily faith keeps pure against temptation under professional cloak calling to live with God present in honor, honesty, tenderness, mercy and longsuffering as helper with Jesus.
The verse belongs to final resurrection completing Christ and church's triumph with destruction of Satan, showing God looks at heart so outward conformity cannot secure approval and risks breaking holy commands while revealing plans.
Deeds are recorded and sins unconfessed remain on books not overlooked, and those excusing or concealing them will be overcome by Satan.
The judgment will expose records and sentence persistent lawbreakers with no excuse for siding with Satan the first rebel; the cross shows God loving even in judgment, and refusers could not safely enter the kingdom lest they oppose law and bring another rebellion.
Heaven's books keep exact account just as it is of every word, transaction, motive, deposit, income, outgo, dollar drawn from treasury, self-denial or grasping spirit, with a Watcher weighing in infinite justice as the hand on Belshazzar's wall writing God is here, to expose defects of tenderness and compassion, decide whether names are in the Lamb's book, and hold answerable for gracious opportunities, with cleansing and faithful Character-building bringing joy of the Lord.
The books contain faithful chronicle not only of words and actions but motives witnessed by ever-present God, and many things now satisfactory will appear unjustifiable with shame, though pardon may be written for those cleansed by the Lamb.
God records results of words, conduct and influence measuring good and evil, the whole record comes under review bearing on the overcomer's reward.
Books keep record of each person's works, so people should feel responsibility for perishing souls, stay connected with Jesus and form perfect character after His likeness here, for it is not dropped from heaven afterward.
The judgment before the throne requires answering for talents, warning that hoarding or investing in unnecessary houses and furnishings cannot be faced in peace, so means should be used faithfully for God's work with personal sacrifice.
The wicked are judged and when grace reaches limit God commands destruction treating them as they have done.
People will be judged by deeds recorded, and burning of churches built for God's work will stand as evidence against opposers.
The life-record will be tested and every act matters because it strengthens habit and forms character, so faithful daily duties in fear of God as unto the Lord will pass the test.
Every person will be judged according to deeds done in the body, making repentance and conversion urgent since only the thoroughly converted enter the kingdom and unrepented account excludes from the city.
Judgment opens books so those knowing truth but not practicing it risk being found wanting; professing truth without shaping life is grave, idols loved instead of God are entered, and all are accountable for light, privileges, influence and whether living to self or showing transforming grace in unselfish consistency.
Each person is judged by true record not personal estimate; the faithful account exposes whether money was handled justly in paying self or others.
The throne is where people are searched through and through and weighed in sanctuary balances according to life lived; because that searching judgment comes the warning must be given now with mind, soul and body, or withholders are accountable for souls.
When books are opened every person is judged by deeds in the body with disclosure and awakening, vivid memory of forgotten deeds and searching inspection; hidden secrets not washed in the Lamb's blood will be manifest, unfaithfulness in sacred trust revealed, seared consciences and leading others to lightly regard sin seen truly with ambition exposed, so probation is given to regulate thought and action by the Word and only those transformed without spot practicing truth and loving God and neighbor will be fitted for bliss as citizens.
Nations and individuals violating God's will face retribution hearing infallible decisions; no one may cancel, revise or selectively accept God's warnings to suit judgment.
The judgment will bring every deed to account including choices in learning; accepting unbelief and untruth has consequences regretted when judged.
People are judged by works deciding destiny; God tests His people daily and their lives will stand the test.
Deeds bear on future judgment with retribution according to works, so everyday choices including appetite and disobedience cast a shadow forward.
Each will face decision based on recorded works, and approaching judgment makes accountable for present choices and neglected duties; a careless unfaithful life leaves spotted record, and even the saved will recognize wasted opportunities forever.
Words and actions are faithfully recorded with exactness including spirit shown even at a meeting.
Heaven's books record names and lives, and rank, wealth, learning and honor do not determine worth; the precious are those one with Christ faithfully cherishing light however humble or unlearned.
Every life and transaction will be brought into review when books are unsealed, each judged by record with nothing then changeable, and those ignoring law or dealing unjustly will face shame and sad surprises.
Jesus, though enshrouded in light, takes cognizance of all actions and is righteous; no secret wrong is passed by and no righteous deed forgotten because all are in heaven's ledger.
The record of each life is opened recording whether duties were fulfilled and whether God was neglected, and will be revealed to people and angels; therefore life should be lived to face it without shame.
Each person's record is kept and examined by Jesus tracing every page, showing accountability.
The lives of all young and old are recorded, and their recorded likeness is what will be seen there.
A student should live so as not to be ashamed to meet the record, resisting wrong influences while strengthening right.
Near earth's close everyone will meet records of deeds good or evil.
What takes place day by day is registered with each student's work recorded daily, and these books testify how each lived before the universe with eternal accountability for every action.
A life apart from God shaped by crooked actions is plainly recorded, and repentance does not make crooked lines straight, though Christ pardons sincere repentants even near the end, while knowing refusal brings punishment.
Heaven's books record time, talent and influence withheld after giving self to sin, to be met in judgment, and unkind treatment by believers gives no excuse for turning from Jesus.