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.”

KEYWORD: Once a man departs from this world, the opportunity to make decisions concerning his earthly walk is over. Therefore, while we are alive, we must live with wisdom and with eternity in view.

The Scriptures say, “the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life.” This and many other profound passages reveal to us that there are books of record in heaven. God keeps records, and nothing done on earth escapes His notice. The lives of men, their choices, their service, and their works are all known before Him.

Hebrews 9:27 KJV says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” The Greek word translated as judgment carries the idea of a decision, a verdict, a separation between right and wrong, and the administration of justice. This reminds us that every person will one day stand before God to give an account of his life. Once a man departs from this world, the opportunity to make decisions concerning his earthly walk is over. Therefore, while we are alive, we must live with wisdom and with eternity in view.

Now that you are alive, make the decision to serve God wholeheartedly and follow His ways as revealed in Scripture. Whether rich or poor, great or small, every man will stand before the Creator. Books will be opened, and every life will be examined according to God’s righteous standards. More than anything else, you should be concerned about where you will spend eternity.

Men celebrate long life and rejoice when someone reaches a hundred years or more. Families gather to honour such milestones, and rightly so. Yet even a hundred years is only a brief moment when compared with eternity. Eternity is forever, and God alone defines it. Therefore, do not become so distracted by earthly pursuits that you forget you are a pilgrim here. This world is not your final home.

Live each day with the consciousness that there is a greater kingdom awaiting those who love and serve the Lord. There will be no sorrow, weeping, pain, or sickness in His eternal presence. Let this reality inspire you to take the work of the kingdom seriously. Serve faithfully, love fervently, pray earnestly, and remain steadfast in your walk with God. Heaven keeps record, and the Lord never forgets the labours done in His name. Shalom!

PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve You. Help me to live each day with eternity in view. Grant me grace to remain faithful, diligent, and consistent in every good work. Let my life bring glory to Your name, and may I finish my course with joy and confidence before You. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
REVELATION 21:27 “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

PSALM 69:28 “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.”