“And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:15
There will come a day when everyone will believe in Jesus, regardless of what they previously believed. One day He will return and sitting on His great white throne of judgment Jesus will judge all people, living and dead. He will judge according to what’s written in the books containing the records of our lives.
Thankfully, there’s another book – the book of life. Everyone whose name is written in the book of life will be declared not-guilty, despite what’s written in those other books. For everyone else, the future is what this verse describes: an eternity in the lake of fire. That’s a terrible prospect!
So how does one get his or her name written into the book of life? It certainly won’t be by having perfect behavior, because we’ve all fallen short of God’s standard of perfection! It won’t be because we’ve earned it, deserve it, or bought our way in through good deeds or extravagant charity. Our good works as well as our bad will be fully chronicled in the first set of books.
There’s only one way to get your name in the book of life. That’s by putting your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. This is a decision you must make while you’re still alive. Everyone standing before Christ’s throne will believe on that day, but it’ll be too late then. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
If you haven’t put your faith in Jesus Christ, please do so today and God will write your name in the book of life. Your forgiveness will have been purchased for you by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
If you have trusted in Christ for salvation, which names from among your friends and family aren’t yet written there? Will you share the good news of Jesus Christ with them before they stand before the throne?