04 June, 2023
IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN HEAVEN?
(Christian Living 27)
When the 72 disciples returned from their successful Mission Trip, they rejoiced that they could cast out demons in the Name of Jesus. Our Lord then said to them, “Do not rejoice that the (evil) spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven” (Lk. 10:20). That is indeed food for thought. Thank God and rejoice when we know that our names are written in Heaven! That is the guarantee that those who die will have a place in Heaven.
The Bible tells us that their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev.13:8). Paul mentioned about “Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the Book of Life” (Phil.4:4). This is important because “If anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire” (Rev.20:15). The Lake of Fire is Eternal Hell. The warning of Jesus to the 72 is to be taken seriously. It is not whether one is “powerful” to heal the sick or cast out demons, but one must ensure that his name is written in Heaven.
Who will not have their names in the Book of Life? The Bible tells us that “All inhabitants of the earth (who) worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” Rev.13:8). The “beast” is the false god that people worship. In other words, those who do not worship Jesus as Lord and God and bow to His authority will not have their names in the Book of Life. Also, those who do not live a holy life will not have their names in the Book of Life (Rev.21:27).
Can their names be removed from the Book of Life? The Psalmist prayed that the wicked will have their names blotted out: “May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not be listed with the righteous” (Ps. 69:28). Moses asked God to forgive Israel for their sin of worshipping the golden cow, “but if not”, he said, “then blot me out of the Book You have written” (Exod. 32:32). That means it is possible for one’s name to be blotted out. Our Lord Himself said to the Church at Sardis, “The one who is victorious will be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels” (Rev.3:5). May He never blot out our names from the Book of Life!
Scripture tells us that God will judge us according what has been recorded in the Books: “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the Throne, and Books were opened. Another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the Books…Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the Lake of Fire” (Rev.20:12-13,15). This suggests that our deeds, good or bad, are recorded in the Books. Paul says we are judged by Christ for “the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor.5:10). Obviously, these deeds are those found recorded in the Books. Let us then be careful how we live and act in this life, for we must give an account to Christ at His Judgment Seat.
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