I like lists. I like making lists. Grocery list, shopping list, packing list, prayer list, and even to-do list. I don’t like being on lists unless it’s Santa’s “Good” list, but I’m probably on his “Naughty” list. These days, I rely on lists, especially when grocery shopping. But I still tend to forget things and have been known not to pick up something on my list!
Lists can be good. They can be valuable tools. They can help us get things done or go on vacation and not have that sinking feeling that we forgot to pack something. My packing list allows me to checkmark what to take, if I need to buy it, and when it is packed.
There is one list I definitely want to be on. I want to ensure my name is among the many names listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life! If your name is written in this book, Jesus will remind his Heavenly Father that you accepted him and asked for forgiveness of your sins, and you will enter into Heaven. What’s interesting is every single person’s name is initially written in this book. It is only by an individual’s choice to have their name “blotted” out. That is done by not accepting Jesus. Accept Jesus. Be included in the list of names written in the Book of Life.
The one who is victorious will, like them, 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 (NIV)
I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire. Rev. 20:11-15 (MSG)
Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will get in.
Rev. 21:27 (MSG)
The Beast you saw once was, is no longer, and is about to ascend from the Abyss and head straight for Hell. Earth dwellers whose names weren’t written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be dazzled when they see the Beast that once was, is no longer, and is to come.
Rev. 17:7-8 (MSG)
Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.
Children: “I haven’t sent my wish list yet to Santa!” (They think they are late because they have seen Christmas items in stores since July 4th!)
brady, mark a. 