20100530

When the “bondservant John” (Rev. 1:1) saw this “Great White Throne” scene recorded for us in Revelation 20, it was an awesome sight.  Even the “Earth and sky fled from His presence, and there was no place for them” (Rev. 20:11).  In today’s language we can probably say that John saw the “computer big screen display” scrolling the records of each person of what he had done.  Judgement by “him who was seated on” the Great White Throne was taking place as the scrolling went on.   I am thankful that because of my faith in Jesus Christ I am included in the “book of life” (Rev. 20:12) and for me there is no condemnation from the ONE on the “Great White Throne”.  But what about those whose names are in the “screen display” but not included in the “book of life”?  “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).  How frightening this must be.

Jesus sent his disciples in Luke 10 for mission to the unbelievers with the command: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” (Lk. 10:2, 3).  The disciples were very excited and filled with joy in the carrying out of the mission.  They came back to report to Jesus:“Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (Lk. 10:17).   Jesus had to point out to them the focus of the mission – the salvation of precious souls.  He point blankly told them: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk. 10:20).  The purpose of Jesus coming into the world and the purpose of our witness for Jesus is simply to ensure that names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev. 13:8; 21:27).

As we consider the seriousness of all humankind having to appear before the “Great White Throne” to give an account, let us give serious thought about our role as witnesses for Jesus.  We are to ensure that those we are responsible for do not end up in the “lake of fire”.   What a tremendous challenge for us to redeem the time and spread the good news that Jesus is “The Way and The Truth and The Life” (Jn. 14:6).  Only Jesus saves – apart from Him there is no other.  Get as many as you can to be entered into the “Lamb’s Book of Life”.