[11] then i saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. from his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. [12] and i saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. then another book was opened, which is the book of life. and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. [13] and the sea gave up the dead who were in it, death and hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. [14] then death and hades were thrown into the lake of fire. this is the second death, the lake of fire. [15] and if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. [revelation 20:11-15]
God deserves all the glory and all the praise for what he has done to rescue us from his eternal judgment for our rebellion and sin.
read this passage again from revelation 20. let it set on your soul. soak it in. hear the Father’s justice and see his great love for you.
how long has it been since you have noticed what God has done for you?
how long has it been since you let the weight of the punishment Jesus took for you in his body and soul – for your name to be written in the “book of life”?
how long has it been since you praised the Father for his loving and gracious work that has freed you from eternal damnation?
eternal damnation … not a phrase we hear much these days. but, it is the reality of your life and my life a part from the atoning work of Christ on our behalf. today, may your heart and mind be filled with joy for what God has done in Christ. today, may your soul be filled with praise for our Father. today, sit and enjoy his presence. rejoice and praise him … for one day this will be your eternal reality face to face with our Savior, our Redeemer!
~ john ryan