“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his holy angel unto his servant John.” (Revelation 1:1). So begins the book of Revelation. Verse 4 tells us that the things revealed herein were “to the seven churches which are in Asia.” Since these things were described as heaven sent (Revelation 1:1-4), and were revelations of things which were to happen shortly, that is, they were “at hand” (Revelation 1:1, 3), and readers could “hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written” (Verse 3), it follows conclusively that things previously unknown would shortly be understandable or knowable upon reading and hearing.
Among the things revealed in the book of Revelation is the general resurrection. John “saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it…And…the dead, small and great, stand before God;….” (Revelation 20:11, 12). This is the scene described in Matthew 25:1-13, 14-30, and 31-46. At the general resurrection, all the dead will be raised, and there will be a separation of the wicked from the righteous. (Revelation 20:11-15). Jesus said those disobedient to God “shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46). John, writing heaven’s message, says, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14, 15; 21:8). Revelation 21:1-7 describes the beautiful eternal destiny of the saved.
The books. Beloved, not one person will be judged by any of the books written by man. The Koran (Curran) will not be our judge. No one will be beheaded for not following it. The Catechism of the Catholic Church will not be opened to judge us. Neither will The Doctrine and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1884, 1902, or any other edition. The Church Manual of the First Church of Christ Scientist, Boston, Mass., by Mary Baker Eddy, will not judge anyone. One cannot expect to see the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, or Pearl of Great Price opened as the judge. God will not use The Standard Manual of the Baptist Church, by Edward T. Hiscox, D.D. to judge us. The same is true of the Philadelphia Confession of Faith of the London Baptist, 1689. Translations will not be the standard by which we are judged. In fact, the manuals, creeds, disciplines, catechisms, and such like, in the writer’s possession, and/or others will not be the standard for compliance.
All will be judged by God’s Book of Life. (Revelation 20:12). God will take His Book, the word of God, the Bible, and He will compare what He recorded for us to do with what is recorded in my book, “every man according to their works” (Revelation 20:12, 13; 2 Corinthians 5:9, 10; Romans 14:12). That is why Paul exhorted the “saints in Christ Jesus…at Philippi” (Philippians 1:1) to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), so that God may save them by His grace. (Ephesians 2:8-10). The book we are now writing covers our lives, and reveals what we are doing/not doing, and it will be placed beside God’s Book to decide if we did what He ordained for us to do, to determine if we are to be saved or destroyed. Cf. James 2:12; 4:12. Perhaps Paul said it best in Romans 8:14, 16, when he by inspiration said, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” Compare what you are now doing, what is being written in your book, and you will know how you will be judged in that great day. If the two are not the same here, they will not be the same there. Correct anything you need to now, immediately! (2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15), NOT MAN. Cf. 1 Peter 4:11.
Salvation is an example of what has been written. God’s Book tells us to hear and believe. (James 1:21-25; John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6). What is recorded in your book? God’s Book tells all to repent. (Acts 17:30, 31; 3:19). What is recorded in your book? God’s Book tells those seeking salvation to confess their faith. (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9, 10). What is recorded in your book? God’s Book tells the penitent believer who has confessed his/her faith in the Deity of Jesus to be buried in water baptism (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:1-5; Acts 8:38, 38), for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:20, 21), to be added (Acts 2:41, 47) to the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22, 23), and to enter Christ (Galatians 3:26, 27), wherein is salvation. (Acts 4:12). What is written in your book? If it is not the same as in God’s book here, it will not be there.
The same is true of worship, Christian living, benevolence, evangelism, the names of God’s people, the church, and any other matter. Read Ephesians 4:1-6. God calls upon his people “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10). “Jesus…lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father…Neither pray I for these alone, but for all them which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:1, 20, 21). Read! Study! Obey God! Be ready for that great day.
Many people decide what to do and what church to attend based upon the actions of their families, friends, neighbors, the elite, distance, and many others. Study (2 Timothy 2:15) to learn the truth that frees (John 17:17), and pursue that course, never allowing anyone to turn you away. Cf. Galatians 1:6-9. Remember, none of these people or things will judge you at the general resurrection. God “hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by” Jesus. (Acts 17:31; 2 Timothy 4:1). Jesus is a “righteous judge.” (2 Timothy 4:8). He wants to be your savior today; He will be your judge on that day. Let Him save you today, that He may judge you well on that day, and say to you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21), and “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34). If you will be faithful unto the Lord unto death, you will overcome and be able to rejoice at being able to go “into eternal life.” (Revelation 2:10; Matthew 25:46).
Beloved, let’s live together eternally.
It Is Written 