Fire Falls on the Multitude Around the Holy CityBible World
20:15Revelation 20:15
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
At the final judgment after the sea, death and hell give up their dead, the books are opened including the book of life, the dead are judged according to their works, and whoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death without hope of resurrection, in which the wicked are consumed by fire from God according to their deeds rather than kept alive forever, until justice is satisfied and the earth is cleansed of evil. Those who misused the verse taught from it that the lost suffer endlessly in an eternally burning hell. Escape turns wholly on having the name written in the Lamb's book of life, which mere profession, church membership or mighty works cannot give, but which is given when sinners repent and kept through persevering obedience, looking to Jesus and harmony with God's law, the Ten Commandments by which every character is tested. Therefore the prospect calls for examining life, humbling the heart, making calling and election sure and seeking God while mercy may be found, for preparation for immortal life must be made in this life.
Judgment Scene and Sequence
At the final judgment the dead, small and great, stand before God after the sea gives up its dead and death and hell give up their dead, and the books are opened including the book of life. The dead are judged out of those things written in the books according to their works, every man judged according to his works. Death and hell themselves are cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death, and then whosoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. This is the final outcome and close of the judgment, the close of time as time with its burden of record passes into eternity.
Anyone whose name is not found, not written, or not recorded in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. The outcome is decided from the record of works read before God, so eternal consequence turns on being found written there. Those whose names are missing face this end after rejecting mercy, and they will recognize that they could have been saved.
The judgment tests character and weighs each life by its record, revealing what was unknown beforehand. Standing before God in that reckoning inspires awe and stillness in His presence. Its warning calls for careful attention to God's words.
Nature of Final Punishment
The lake of fire is the second death, death without hope of a resurrection, imposed at the final judgment on a disobedient world as the living reality of the consequences of transgression. Anyone whose name is not found, written, or recorded in the book of life is cast there, and the dead are judged before God from the record of their works preserved in the heavenly books, which makes earthly conduct and dealings accountable. Those who reject mercy and the appointed sign, disregard the law, and lead others to honor a false Sabbath face this judgment and will recognize that acceptance of the message could have saved them.
The wicked suffer the second death by being consumed by fire from God rather than kept alive forever, with punishment according to deeds so that some are consumed quickly while others suffer longer as long as any part remains to be consumed. Satan also suffers both for his own sins and for the sins and ruin of those he led, and when the wicked are consumed divine justice is satisfied. Those who persist in sin and disobedience are forever separated from God, the holy angels, and the redeemed, receiving the just consequence of their deeds, their cases settled with no further probation after the second resurrection, so that if they continue in sin the sorrow and suffering of this world will be all the heaven they ever enjoy, a prospect that calls for pity. Thomas Paine exemplifies this fate, to be raised in the second resurrection after the thousand years to receive his reward and suffer the second death, not to be exalted in heaven.
The verse was misused to teach that the lost suffer endlessly and ceaselessly in an eternally burning hell, with Revelation 20:14-15 presented as supporting ceaseless punishment rather than final destruction. That terrifying picture made God appear cruel, made salvation seem hopeless and lacking proper biblical authority, and made hearers feel as if they already suffered the pains of perdition.
The destruction by fire cleanses the earth of the evil brought into it, as the earth was destroyed by the flood in the days of the old world, and it is the execution of the judgment after the wicked receive the sentence determined with Jesus during the thousand years. It is a sea of unquenchable fire, not another flood like Noah's, which no human effort can quench, and God's fire in consuming the wicked purifies the earth to become the saints' renewed inheritance made new. Those whose names are not in the book of life are thereby excluded from the holy city and lose eternal life, for claim to follow Christ, church membership, prophecy, or mighty works cannot secure admission when a life has dishonored God and trampled His law, and such workers of iniquity are rejected by Christ to face the final fire. The judgment reveals every act and even motives behind it, so those who refuse to confess sins now will finally have wrongs exposed before the universe, and those who defend or excuse unrighteousness share its punishment, while repentant sinners accepted by God have their names written in the book that determines who enters the city and who never sees heaven.
Records Law and Works
Day by day a record of words, actions, and influence is being written in the books of heaven, including motives, and each person will meet that record in the great day. At the judgment names are read and deeds are weighed, the dead are judged out of what is written in the books according to their works, and the heavenly books preserve that record by which accountability is decided. The record of each life is revealed at the judgment though unknown beforehand, and the judgment tests character. Present reputation and daily conduct, even while at school, and earthly conduct and dealings determine whether one is found in the book of life, so the outcome turns on being found there as a matter of eternal consequence and calls for careful attention to God's words and for examining life and seeking God while opportunity to repent and receive mercy remains.
God's holy law is the only unerring standard to judge every soul and to decide the fitness of every character for heaven, by which every character and action is tested. That standard is the Ten Commandments, the great moral standard of righteousness, meant to preserve life, happiness, and peace, whose obedience would have formed characters of purity, sanctified love, and beauty, while disregard brought cruelty, wickedness, and misery. God's Word alone is the rule of faith and action, and all must bear the test of what the Scriptures say, for impressions, feelings, emotions, dreams and exercises are no criterion. The death of Christ proves the changeless character of that moral standard by which judgment is made. Profession of Christianity does not ensure a name in the Lamb's book of life, for those who live to please themselves rather than bring the will under Christ are not recorded there, and it is in the setting of the judgment that character is tested by God's law.
Every case is decided according to obedience or disrespect of God's law and disregard of His requirements, and no one can trample upon it with impunity. To do God's will is to obey His commandments, including the definite day He specified to be kept, with eternal interests as the first consideration and none trifling with soul salvation. Those who reject God's mercy and sign, disregard His law, despise it, give a man-made institution the honor due to God's Sabbath and lead others to honor a false Sabbath face retributive judgment in the lake of fire and will recognize they could have been saved by accepting God's message. A claim to follow Christ, church membership, prophecy, or mighty works cannot secure admission when a life has dishonored God and trampled on His law, for Christ rejects such workers of iniquity and they face the final fire with exclusion from the holy city and loss of eternal life. The final trial before the great white throne brings the whole world to account for rejection of Jesus Christ as God's messenger, where every person has accepted Christ, the truth, or Satan, the first rebel, robber, liar and murderer, and those who now reject God's law crucify the Son of God afresh and identify with those who crucified Him at Calvary, He having come as a living expression of God's character and lived the law of God's government. The world does not improve but evil men grow worse, deceiving and being deceived, until God punishes the world for iniquity.
Book of Life Membership
The book of life, the Lamb's book of life, decides who escapes the lake of fire, which is the second death, for the dead are judged from the books according to works and only those found written there are spared that fate. It decides who enters the city of God and the kingdom of glory and receives eternal life, while all others are shut out of the heavenly city, excluded to receive punishment with the wicked and never see heaven. The faithful whose names are written there will be delivered when earthly powers threaten them with death, for Christ knows by name those reflecting His image whether in humble dwellings or palaces and protects them until God's judgment comes upon the earth. Overcomers are those whose names are written there, and those who never cease to transgress all principles of righteousness will not be permitted to enter, since to admit them would make possible another terrible rebellion ending in expulsion.
That heavenly record is different from church books on earth, and a name registered on earth does not place a name in the book of life. Mere profession of Christianity or of being Christ's servant, church membership, claims to follow Christ, prophecy, or mighty works cannot secure admission when a life has dishonored God and trampled His law, for Christ rejects such workers of iniquity and they face the final fire. Those who profess truth yet remain unconverted, unchanged in heart and character, and outside of Christ are not registered there, and profession without living faith and obedience leaves a person without Christ's righteousness and facing the lake of fire. Those who live to please themselves rather than bring the will under Christ are not recorded in it, and names are not written there when professed believers do not have Christ's mind or walk as He walked in love, patience, kindness, and compassion. The book records those who persevere in obedience and refuse to sell their souls for money or human favor.
When sinners repent, God accepts them and writes their names in the book containing all Christ's people, which determines who enters the city and who is excluded. Names remain through persevering obedience, refusing to sell the soul, humbling the heart before God, and looking to Jesus the Lamb who bore human sin and following Him as He shapes the life for His kingdom to live with Him forever and see Him face to face. Only experimental religion writes the name there, with self-denial and sacrifice for truth and earnest pleading with tears for pardoning grace and strength to resist Satan, and many professed Christians serve themselves and lack this and unless the spell is broken will be found missing and receive the transgressor's portion. Receiving truth in the heart means receiving Christ, and obedience to all God's commandments in harmony with His law, which reflects His character, marks a person as God's child and makes holy and undefiled by studying Christ until like Him. Confessing wrongs to a brother brings pledged forgiveness and cleansing, and false believers among Christ's true followers do not excuse another's sin or protect anyone in the day of God.
Thomas Paine exemplifies those not recorded, for he will be raised in the second resurrection after the thousand years to receive his reward and suffer the second death, not to be exalted in heaven. Whether a person's name is recorded in the Lamb's book distinguishes the redeemed from the unfaithful, and with probation closing this is a present concern. There is no neutral standing, for people either belong among the pure and holy around the great white throne or are among those Christ sends away for doing evil, and those who hear the gospel call to repentance are accountable for whether they receive and obey it. In the heavenly judgment each case is reviewed, names are read and deeds weighed before Christ ceases to plead, and those who put the world's approval and their own convenience before Christ and are ashamed of His cross are judged unworthy of His protection, appointed to death with no place in the book. In contrast Christ acknowledges His faithful followers, their sins are blotted out, and they are counted worthy of everlasting life and give thanks for God's love and overcoming grace which enabled them to conquer sin.
Prophetic Timing and Triumph
The casting into the lake of fire belongs to the close of the thousand years after the second advent, when the wicked are raised in the second and final resurrection to receive their sentence. At that resurrection all who joined the rebellion perish together with Satan himself, the everlasting fire having been prepared for the devil and his angels. Thomas Paine is a named example of this class, to be raised after the thousand years to receive his reward and suffer the second death rather than to be exalted in heaven.
It is the close of time, when time with its burden of record passes into eternity. It is the soon-coming great and solemn day of God just upon us, the last great day and day of final decision, when God discerns between him that serves Him and him that serves Him not. That decision comes when the test is over, men have taken sides for or against the law, and the season of mercy and probation is ended, so that every person receives as his works have been, some the reward of well-doing and others the reward of evil deeds. The approaching close of probation makes the distinction between the redeemed and the unfaithful a present concern, since those gathered around the great white throne are those whose overcoming grace enabled them to conquer sin.
The destruction is the execution of the judgment after the wicked have received the sentence determined by the saints with Jesus during the thousand years. That final resurrection and judgment complete Christ's triumph with His church, with Satan and all the wicked finally destroyed and Christ reigning on earth. The act is followed in heaven by the great multitude crying Alleluia for salvation and glory and honor and power to the Lord, praising Him small and great because the Lord God Omnipotent reigns.
Repentance and Urgent Response
The verse belongs to the great and solemn day when judgment is set and the books are opened and the dead are judged from what is written in them, a day of God just upon us and soon to come, with which every life is to be lived in reference. At that final judgment those whose names are not in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, judged according to the record of works, so the outcome turns on eternal consequence and calls for examining life and seeking God while opportunity to repent and receive mercy still remains. The warning presses the question whether the book of God will be searched in vain for a name, for to be found wanting at the final settlement is a fearful and irreversible loss. Character, conduct and even motives are weighed, and to be found wanting in love and obedience with the name absent from the book is a terrible and irreversible outcome. Unless hearts are humbled before God names will not be placed there. That day is the great day of final decision for which the unprepared who have not made God their dependence will face only confusion, and in contrast to crowding and striving for a little earthly inheritance that some gain and others lose, the gift of eternal life and heavenly treasure has supreme value and calls for earnest pressing in, with each one making calling and election sure.
To abide that day and be found written in the book of life rather than face final destruction by fire requires a true sense of sin with real sorrow and disgust for the aggravated character of wrongdoing and its results, not mere annoyance and humiliation because the sin became known. Polluting actions taken in secret for pleasure are seen even when no human eye sees or knows them, and without a true conception of their results habit and practice will lead to repeating the same course whenever concealment seems possible.
The judgment in which small and great stand before God with the books opened including the book of life reveals the value of the soul and urges intense interest in others, so that speaking to even a few neighbors sows seed that may spring up and bear fruit after a time. The eternal ruin of every soul not found written there reveals the great worth of the soul and the great sacrifice made by the Son of God to save it from that ruin. It shows that God abhors sin and is strict in justice toward those who continue in impenitence, for righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne and He will punish the wicked, while at the same time He is ready to pardon the sinner who comes in contrition and to reward the faithful and righteous. To think of losing eternal life in this way should make a person tremble, unless the heart is hardened and calloused by worldliness and sin. Those who persist in sin and do not obey God will suffer the second death, be forever separated from God, the holy angels and the redeemed, and receive the just consequence of their deeds, and the prospect of that loss calls for pity toward them, for if they continue in sin this world's sorrow and suffering will be all the heaven they ever enjoy.
The final perishing of everyone not found written in the book of life is reason not to sit down in hopeless despair and do nothing and not to heed the tempter's claim that it is no use to try. One who comes to Jesus just as he is, sinful and polluted, vile and depraved, would otherwise perish, but Jesus is amply able to save the very hardest and most wicked and defiled sinner.
Readiness for the judgment involves having the name written in the book of life, and preparation to meet God comes only by looking to Jesus, the Lamb who bore human sin, and following Him as He shapes the life for His kingdom. Those who give themselves to God's service will live with Him forever and see Him face to face. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life are welcomed into the kingdom of glory while all others are shut out of the heavenly city, and the overcomers are those whose names are written there. At the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, Christ will know by name those reflecting His image in this world, whether they have lived in humble dwellings or in palaces. Those who never cease to transgress all principles of righteousness will not be permitted to enter, because to admit them would make possible another terrible rebellion ending in expulsion, so preparation for that future immortal life must be made in this life.
At the final judgment after the sea, death and hell give up their dead, the books are opened including the book of life, the dead are judged according to their works, and whoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death without hope of resurrection, in which the wicked are consumed by fire from God according to their deeds rather than kept alive forever, until justice is satisfied and the earth is cleansed of evil. Those who misused the verse taught from it that the lost suffer endlessly in an eternally burning hell. Escape turns wholly on having the name written in the Lamb's book of life, which mere profession, church membership or mighty works cannot give, but which is given when sinners repent and kept through persevering obedience, looking to Jesus and harmony with God's law, the Ten Commandments by which every character is tested. Therefore the prospect calls for examining life, humbling the heart, making calling and election sure and seeking God while mercy may be found, for preparation for immortal life must be made in this life.
Judgment Scene and Sequence
At the final judgment the dead, small and great, stand before God after the sea gives up its dead and death and hell give up their dead, and the books are opened including the book of life. The dead are judged out of those things written in the books according to their works, every man judged according to his works. Death and hell themselves are cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death, and then whosoever is not found written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire. This is the final outcome and close of the judgment, the close of time as time with its burden of record passes into eternity.
Anyone whose name is not found, not written, or not recorded in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. The outcome is decided from the record of works read before God, so eternal consequence turns on being found written there. Those whose names are missing face this end after rejecting mercy, and they will recognize that they could have been saved.
The judgment tests character and weighs each life by its record, revealing what was unknown beforehand. Standing before God in that reckoning inspires awe and stillness in His presence. Its warning calls for careful attention to God's words.
Nature of Final Punishment
The lake of fire is the second death, death without hope of a resurrection, imposed at the final judgment on a disobedient world as the living reality of the consequences of transgression. Anyone whose name is not found, written, or recorded in the book of life is cast there, and the dead are judged before God from the record of their works preserved in the heavenly books, which makes earthly conduct and dealings accountable. Those who reject mercy and the appointed sign, disregard the law, and lead others to honor a false Sabbath face this judgment and will recognize that acceptance of the message could have saved them.
The wicked suffer the second death by being consumed by fire from God rather than kept alive forever, with punishment according to deeds so that some are consumed quickly while others suffer longer as long as any part remains to be consumed. Satan also suffers both for his own sins and for the sins and ruin of those he led, and when the wicked are consumed divine justice is satisfied. Those who persist in sin and disobedience are forever separated from God, the holy angels, and the redeemed, receiving the just consequence of their deeds, their cases settled with no further probation after the second resurrection, so that if they continue in sin the sorrow and suffering of this world will be all the heaven they ever enjoy, a prospect that calls for pity. Thomas Paine exemplifies this fate, to be raised in the second resurrection after the thousand years to receive his reward and suffer the second death, not to be exalted in heaven.
The verse was misused to teach that the lost suffer endlessly and ceaselessly in an eternally burning hell, with Revelation 20:14-15 presented as supporting ceaseless punishment rather than final destruction. That terrifying picture made God appear cruel, made salvation seem hopeless and lacking proper biblical authority, and made hearers feel as if they already suffered the pains of perdition.
The destruction by fire cleanses the earth of the evil brought into it, as the earth was destroyed by the flood in the days of the old world, and it is the execution of the judgment after the wicked receive the sentence determined with Jesus during the thousand years. It is a sea of unquenchable fire, not another flood like Noah's, which no human effort can quench, and God's fire in consuming the wicked purifies the earth to become the saints' renewed inheritance made new. Those whose names are not in the book of life are thereby excluded from the holy city and lose eternal life, for claim to follow Christ, church membership, prophecy, or mighty works cannot secure admission when a life has dishonored God and trampled His law, and such workers of iniquity are rejected by Christ to face the final fire. The judgment reveals every act and even motives behind it, so those who refuse to confess sins now will finally have wrongs exposed before the universe, and those who defend or excuse unrighteousness share its punishment, while repentant sinners accepted by God have their names written in the book that determines who enters the city and who never sees heaven.
Records Law and Works
Day by day a record of words, actions, and influence is being written in the books of heaven, including motives, and each person will meet that record in the great day. At the judgment names are read and deeds are weighed, the dead are judged out of what is written in the books according to their works, and the heavenly books preserve that record by which accountability is decided. The record of each life is revealed at the judgment though unknown beforehand, and the judgment tests character. Present reputation and daily conduct, even while at school, and earthly conduct and dealings determine whether one is found in the book of life, so the outcome turns on being found there as a matter of eternal consequence and calls for careful attention to God's words and for examining life and seeking God while opportunity to repent and receive mercy remains.
God's holy law is the only unerring standard to judge every soul and to decide the fitness of every character for heaven, by which every character and action is tested. That standard is the Ten Commandments, the great moral standard of righteousness, meant to preserve life, happiness, and peace, whose obedience would have formed characters of purity, sanctified love, and beauty, while disregard brought cruelty, wickedness, and misery. God's Word alone is the rule of faith and action, and all must bear the test of what the Scriptures say, for impressions, feelings, emotions, dreams and exercises are no criterion. The death of Christ proves the changeless character of that moral standard by which judgment is made. Profession of Christianity does not ensure a name in the Lamb's book of life, for those who live to please themselves rather than bring the will under Christ are not recorded there, and it is in the setting of the judgment that character is tested by God's law.
Every case is decided according to obedience or disrespect of God's law and disregard of His requirements, and no one can trample upon it with impunity. To do God's will is to obey His commandments, including the definite day He specified to be kept, with eternal interests as the first consideration and none trifling with soul salvation. Those who reject God's mercy and sign, disregard His law, despise it, give a man-made institution the honor due to God's Sabbath and lead others to honor a false Sabbath face retributive judgment in the lake of fire and will recognize they could have been saved by accepting God's message. A claim to follow Christ, church membership, prophecy, or mighty works cannot secure admission when a life has dishonored God and trampled on His law, for Christ rejects such workers of iniquity and they face the final fire with exclusion from the holy city and loss of eternal life. The final trial before the great white throne brings the whole world to account for rejection of Jesus Christ as God's messenger, where every person has accepted Christ, the truth, or Satan, the first rebel, robber, liar and murderer, and those who now reject God's law crucify the Son of God afresh and identify with those who crucified Him at Calvary, He having come as a living expression of God's character and lived the law of God's government. The world does not improve but evil men grow worse, deceiving and being deceived, until God punishes the world for iniquity.
Book of Life Membership
The book of life, the Lamb's book of life, decides who escapes the lake of fire, which is the second death, for the dead are judged from the books according to works and only those found written there are spared that fate. It decides who enters the city of God and the kingdom of glory and receives eternal life, while all others are shut out of the heavenly city, excluded to receive punishment with the wicked and never see heaven. The faithful whose names are written there will be delivered when earthly powers threaten them with death, for Christ knows by name those reflecting His image whether in humble dwellings or palaces and protects them until God's judgment comes upon the earth. Overcomers are those whose names are written there, and those who never cease to transgress all principles of righteousness will not be permitted to enter, since to admit them would make possible another terrible rebellion ending in expulsion.
That heavenly record is different from church books on earth, and a name registered on earth does not place a name in the book of life. Mere profession of Christianity or of being Christ's servant, church membership, claims to follow Christ, prophecy, or mighty works cannot secure admission when a life has dishonored God and trampled His law, for Christ rejects such workers of iniquity and they face the final fire. Those who profess truth yet remain unconverted, unchanged in heart and character, and outside of Christ are not registered there, and profession without living faith and obedience leaves a person without Christ's righteousness and facing the lake of fire. Those who live to please themselves rather than bring the will under Christ are not recorded in it, and names are not written there when professed believers do not have Christ's mind or walk as He walked in love, patience, kindness, and compassion. The book records those who persevere in obedience and refuse to sell their souls for money or human favor.
When sinners repent, God accepts them and writes their names in the book containing all Christ's people, which determines who enters the city and who is excluded. Names remain through persevering obedience, refusing to sell the soul, humbling the heart before God, and looking to Jesus the Lamb who bore human sin and following Him as He shapes the life for His kingdom to live with Him forever and see Him face to face. Only experimental religion writes the name there, with self-denial and sacrifice for truth and earnest pleading with tears for pardoning grace and strength to resist Satan, and many professed Christians serve themselves and lack this and unless the spell is broken will be found missing and receive the transgressor's portion. Receiving truth in the heart means receiving Christ, and obedience to all God's commandments in harmony with His law, which reflects His character, marks a person as God's child and makes holy and undefiled by studying Christ until like Him. Confessing wrongs to a brother brings pledged forgiveness and cleansing, and false believers among Christ's true followers do not excuse another's sin or protect anyone in the day of God.
Thomas Paine exemplifies those not recorded, for he will be raised in the second resurrection after the thousand years to receive his reward and suffer the second death, not to be exalted in heaven. Whether a person's name is recorded in the Lamb's book distinguishes the redeemed from the unfaithful, and with probation closing this is a present concern. There is no neutral standing, for people either belong among the pure and holy around the great white throne or are among those Christ sends away for doing evil, and those who hear the gospel call to repentance are accountable for whether they receive and obey it. In the heavenly judgment each case is reviewed, names are read and deeds weighed before Christ ceases to plead, and those who put the world's approval and their own convenience before Christ and are ashamed of His cross are judged unworthy of His protection, appointed to death with no place in the book. In contrast Christ acknowledges His faithful followers, their sins are blotted out, and they are counted worthy of everlasting life and give thanks for God's love and overcoming grace which enabled them to conquer sin.
Prophetic Timing and Triumph
The casting into the lake of fire belongs to the close of the thousand years after the second advent, when the wicked are raised in the second and final resurrection to receive their sentence. At that resurrection all who joined the rebellion perish together with Satan himself, the everlasting fire having been prepared for the devil and his angels. Thomas Paine is a named example of this class, to be raised after the thousand years to receive his reward and suffer the second death rather than to be exalted in heaven.
It is the close of time, when time with its burden of record passes into eternity. It is the soon-coming great and solemn day of God just upon us, the last great day and day of final decision, when God discerns between him that serves Him and him that serves Him not. That decision comes when the test is over, men have taken sides for or against the law, and the season of mercy and probation is ended, so that every person receives as his works have been, some the reward of well-doing and others the reward of evil deeds. The approaching close of probation makes the distinction between the redeemed and the unfaithful a present concern, since those gathered around the great white throne are those whose overcoming grace enabled them to conquer sin.
The destruction is the execution of the judgment after the wicked have received the sentence determined by the saints with Jesus during the thousand years. That final resurrection and judgment complete Christ's triumph with His church, with Satan and all the wicked finally destroyed and Christ reigning on earth. The act is followed in heaven by the great multitude crying Alleluia for salvation and glory and honor and power to the Lord, praising Him small and great because the Lord God Omnipotent reigns.
Repentance and Urgent Response
The verse belongs to the great and solemn day when judgment is set and the books are opened and the dead are judged from what is written in them, a day of God just upon us and soon to come, with which every life is to be lived in reference. At that final judgment those whose names are not in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire, judged according to the record of works, so the outcome turns on eternal consequence and calls for examining life and seeking God while opportunity to repent and receive mercy still remains. The warning presses the question whether the book of God will be searched in vain for a name, for to be found wanting at the final settlement is a fearful and irreversible loss. Character, conduct and even motives are weighed, and to be found wanting in love and obedience with the name absent from the book is a terrible and irreversible outcome. Unless hearts are humbled before God names will not be placed there. That day is the great day of final decision for which the unprepared who have not made God their dependence will face only confusion, and in contrast to crowding and striving for a little earthly inheritance that some gain and others lose, the gift of eternal life and heavenly treasure has supreme value and calls for earnest pressing in, with each one making calling and election sure.
To abide that day and be found written in the book of life rather than face final destruction by fire requires a true sense of sin with real sorrow and disgust for the aggravated character of wrongdoing and its results, not mere annoyance and humiliation because the sin became known. Polluting actions taken in secret for pleasure are seen even when no human eye sees or knows them, and without a true conception of their results habit and practice will lead to repeating the same course whenever concealment seems possible.
The judgment in which small and great stand before God with the books opened including the book of life reveals the value of the soul and urges intense interest in others, so that speaking to even a few neighbors sows seed that may spring up and bear fruit after a time. The eternal ruin of every soul not found written there reveals the great worth of the soul and the great sacrifice made by the Son of God to save it from that ruin. It shows that God abhors sin and is strict in justice toward those who continue in impenitence, for righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne and He will punish the wicked, while at the same time He is ready to pardon the sinner who comes in contrition and to reward the faithful and righteous. To think of losing eternal life in this way should make a person tremble, unless the heart is hardened and calloused by worldliness and sin. Those who persist in sin and do not obey God will suffer the second death, be forever separated from God, the holy angels and the redeemed, and receive the just consequence of their deeds, and the prospect of that loss calls for pity toward them, for if they continue in sin this world's sorrow and suffering will be all the heaven they ever enjoy.
The final perishing of everyone not found written in the book of life is reason not to sit down in hopeless despair and do nothing and not to heed the tempter's claim that it is no use to try. One who comes to Jesus just as he is, sinful and polluted, vile and depraved, would otherwise perish, but Jesus is amply able to save the very hardest and most wicked and defiled sinner.
Readiness for the judgment involves having the name written in the book of life, and preparation to meet God comes only by looking to Jesus, the Lamb who bore human sin, and following Him as He shapes the life for His kingdom. Those who give themselves to God's service will live with Him forever and see Him face to face. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life are welcomed into the kingdom of glory while all others are shut out of the heavenly city, and the overcomers are those whose names are written there. At the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, Christ will know by name those reflecting His image in this world, whether they have lived in humble dwellings or in palaces. Those who never cease to transgress all principles of righteousness will not be permitted to enter, because to admit them would make possible another terrible rebellion ending in expulsion, so preparation for that future immortal life must be made in this life.