THE BOOK OF LIFE

'And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire'.

Revelation 20:15 is a clear message to those who face the final judgement seat of God. When they are called two books will be opened, one containing a history of that person and the other called, the Book of Life. In Revelation 20:12,13 you find a description of the judgement and the two books mentioned.

12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: 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.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

It seems strange to think that all our actions are recorded but we have to remember we are dealing with God. When they stand before God the judgement will be fair and just, there will be no grey areas in which there is any room for argument. Everything done or said is recorded and they will have to account for their actions and works. Once through this stage the book of life will be opened and if your name is not recorded you will be sentenced as in verse 14.

14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

It must be pointed out that this final Judgement is after the rapture and Second Coming of Christ. It precedes the destruction of the earth and the formation of the new heavens and earth containing the New Jerusalem.

The dead spoken of are the people who have died from the beginning of time to the end. The only exclusion are the Christians who were caught up in the rapture, these were judged and rewarded by Christ.