The Book of Life
“...And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Rev 20:12
In our previous post we determined that the first set of books which were opened were in reference to the Old and New Testament which had previous been sealed to the world. But here now another book is brought to our attention, this book is referred to as “the book of life”, which is in contrast with the book of life which is now opened.
The book of life, which is now opened, will soon be complete and no additions made to it after the close of this age, but another book of life will soon be opened for the world. This new book of life will be for those who will be on trial during the millennial age.
This differentiation between the two different books of life shows that there is a special or particular call to life offered only at this time, which will end at the close of this age.
“…Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.” Rev 2:10
The Church as joint-heirs with their Lord have been begotten “…to an inheritance incorruptible, (Immortal), and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you…” 1 Pet 1:4
“He that overcomes shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, (this shows that those whose names are written in this book of life are on trial now) and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Rev 3:5
Now to the last part of our scripture “…the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
The dead are dead in the sense that God does not recognize them as having right to life, dead in the sense that they have not the Son. But under the terms of the New Covenant Christ has redeemed them and therefore justice demands that they all must be brought forth from the condition of death to be given another trial for life.
For a thousand years the whole world of mankind shall be in judgment or trial for eternal life before the great white throne. Mankind will be judged according to the law written in the Holy Scriptures, as our Lord had attested to in John 12:48, however they must of necessity be brought to a clear knowledge and understanding of the requirements of that trial before the testing can commence.
There could be no judgment, (“krima”) without a trial, (“krisis”) and there could be no trial without knowledge, (See 1 Tim 2:3, 4)
Their judgment will be in harmony with the principles already enunciated in the Word of God, and the decision will be "according to their works"--not according to their faith, as it is with us in this Gospel age. (Although faith and works are close counterparts, one with the other, See James 2:14-26) This is the judgment as is depicted in Matt 25:31-46, by our Lord, which He describes as the separation of the sheep and the goats.
The great Mediator will accept imperfect works, according to ability; a man is judged according to “what one has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Cor 8:12) but as they rise up out of degradation, more and more will be required of them.
Under the reign of Christ, mankind will be gradually educated, trained, and disciplined until they reach perfection. And when they have reached perfection, any who then fall short of perfect obedience will be cut off.” (See the following: Matt 25:41-46, Rev 20:11-15, Acts 3:22, 23).
Perfected in the end, absolute perfection of works will be required. By the end of the Millennial age perfect works will be possible to all who remain, and perfect works will be required of them.
As for the question as to whether or not men should fear the judgment day we would first off wish not to be misunderstood as to be implying that Jesus sacrifice for the sins of the world relieves them of all responsibility, the scriptures themselves say otherwise.
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Prov 15:3
“...God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Eccl 12:14
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” Gal 6:7
The good and the evil deeds of the present time will receive a just recompense of reward either now or hereafter, thus it is written:
“Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” 1 Tim 5:24
This includes many professing Christians,
“And that servant who has been told his Master's will and yet made no preparation and did not obey His will, will receive many lashes. But he, who had not been told it and yet did what deserved the scourge, will receive but few lashes. To whomsoever much has been given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been entrusted, of him a larger amount will be demanded.” Luke 12:47, 48
But as to the fear of the judgment day, this is taught by the doctrines and commandments of men, that is, it is man who has taught mankind to dread the coming “judgment day”, for “The fear of man brings a snare…” Prov 29:25
But once again if we were to first go to the word of God rather than listening to man we would see the judgment day as something to long for and to desire.
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD [Jehovah] reigns. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is [are] therein. Then shall all the trees of the wood sing out [loud] at the presence of the LORD [Jehovah], because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the LORD [Jehovah]; for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.” 1 Chron. 16:31-34
And so we conclude our look at the judgement, however we have some questions from the forum, which please see here.
“...And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Rev 20:12
In our previous post we determined that the first set of books which were opened were in reference to the Old and New Testament which had previous been sealed to the world. But here now another book is brought to our attention, this book is referred to as “the book of life”, which is in contrast with the book of life which is now opened.
The book of life, which is now opened, will soon be complete and no additions made to it after the close of this age, but another book of life will soon be opened for the world. This new book of life will be for those who will be on trial during the millennial age.
This differentiation between the two different books of life shows that there is a special or particular call to life offered only at this time, which will end at the close of this age.
“…Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.” Rev 2:10
The Church as joint-heirs with their Lord have been begotten “…to an inheritance incorruptible, (Immortal), and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you…” 1 Pet 1:4
“He that overcomes shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, (this shows that those whose names are written in this book of life are on trial now) and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Rev 3:5
Now to the last part of our scripture “…the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
The dead are dead in the sense that God does not recognize them as having right to life, dead in the sense that they have not the Son. But under the terms of the New Covenant Christ has redeemed them and therefore justice demands that they all must be brought forth from the condition of death to be given another trial for life.
For a thousand years the whole world of mankind shall be in judgment or trial for eternal life before the great white throne. Mankind will be judged according to the law written in the Holy Scriptures, as our Lord had attested to in John 12:48, however they must of necessity be brought to a clear knowledge and understanding of the requirements of that trial before the testing can commence.
There could be no judgment, (“krima”) without a trial, (“krisis”) and there could be no trial without knowledge, (See 1 Tim 2:3, 4)
Their judgment will be in harmony with the principles already enunciated in the Word of God, and the decision will be "according to their works"--not according to their faith, as it is with us in this Gospel age. (Although faith and works are close counterparts, one with the other, See James 2:14-26) This is the judgment as is depicted in Matt 25:31-46, by our Lord, which He describes as the separation of the sheep and the goats.
The great Mediator will accept imperfect works, according to ability; a man is judged according to “what one has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Cor 8:12) but as they rise up out of degradation, more and more will be required of them.
Under the reign of Christ, mankind will be gradually educated, trained, and disciplined until they reach perfection. And when they have reached perfection, any who then fall short of perfect obedience will be cut off.” (See the following: Matt 25:41-46, Rev 20:11-15, Acts 3:22, 23).
Perfected in the end, absolute perfection of works will be required. By the end of the Millennial age perfect works will be possible to all who remain, and perfect works will be required of them.
As for the question as to whether or not men should fear the judgment day we would first off wish not to be misunderstood as to be implying that Jesus sacrifice for the sins of the world relieves them of all responsibility, the scriptures themselves say otherwise.
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Prov 15:3
“...God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Eccl 12:14
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” Gal 6:7
The good and the evil deeds of the present time will receive a just recompense of reward either now or hereafter, thus it is written:
“Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.” 1 Tim 5:24
This includes many professing Christians,
“And that servant who has been told his Master's will and yet made no preparation and did not obey His will, will receive many lashes. But he, who had not been told it and yet did what deserved the scourge, will receive but few lashes. To whomsoever much has been given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been entrusted, of him a larger amount will be demanded.” Luke 12:47, 48
But as to the fear of the judgment day, this is taught by the doctrines and commandments of men, that is, it is man who has taught mankind to dread the coming “judgment day”, for “The fear of man brings a snare…” Prov 29:25
But once again if we were to first go to the word of God rather than listening to man we would see the judgment day as something to long for and to desire.
“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD [Jehovah] reigns. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is [are] therein. Then shall all the trees of the wood sing out [loud] at the presence of the LORD [Jehovah], because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the LORD [Jehovah]; for he is good; for his mercy endures forever.” 1 Chron. 16:31-34
And so we conclude our look at the judgement, however we have some questions from the forum, which please see here.
