“And the books were opened”
Revelation 20:12, “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.”
It
is quite amazing that God actually keeps books in Heaven. Think about that.
The same God Who spoke the universe into existence by the very Word of His
mouth (2nd Peter 3:5), decided to keeps track of our sins using books. That
is very interesting (and frightening)!
I thank God as a born-again Christian that my name is written in Heaven in a different book (Luke 10:20). There is no condemnation to those who believe on Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1). But for the unsaved who die in their sins, every sin has been recorded, and that soul will be punished for all eternity for every sin committed during their lifetime. That should scare the Hell into you!
The Bible says that at The Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11) that the books will “be opened,” and the dead will be judged “according to their works” (Revelation 20:13).
Matthew 18:6, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” This Scripture does not speak of children; but rather, the born-again believer. Notice that Jesus said the “little ones” are they who “BELIEVE IN ME.” Thus, anyone who hurts a child of God, in any way, has God to deal with. Jesus said you'd be better off with a 400 lb. millstone chained around your neck, and to be cast to the bottom of the sea, than to offend a child of God.
God is keeping books in Heaven. Las Vegas advertises, “What HAPPENS in Vegas STAYS in Vegas.” I have disturbing news for you, it's also being recorded in Heaven, all of it! Every word you speak is being recorded in Heaven, every sin you commit, every person you hurt, every mean thing you do, every uncaring deed, et cetera. Whether you are saved or unsaved, you will give account to God. The saved will give account for the GOOD and the BAD (2nd Corinthians 5:21). The difference will be whether you lose rewards and happiness in Heaven, or your soul in Hell forever. I speak concerning those who care not about the things of God, nor care for the souls of men, nor desire to please God.
I want to have “an honest and good heart” as Luke 8:15 teaches, winning lost sinners to Jesus Christ, so that I may one day enjoy Heaven and know that I didn't waste my life here on earth. The books will be opened in eternity. You'd better make sure that you're a born-again Christian, for nothing else matters if you die in your sins and go to Hell. And then, as believers, may we present our bodies “a living sacrifice” to God (Romans 12:1). Good or bad, everything we say and do, or don't say and do, is being written down in Heaven.
May we keep this in mind day-by-day as we live this temporary life.
