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From Here to Forever
The books of record in heaven are to determine the decisions of
the judgment. The book of life contains the names of all who have
ever entered the service of God. Jesus bade His disciples: “Rejoice,
because your names are written in heaven.” Paul speaks of his fellow
workers, “whose names are in the book of life.” Daniel declares
that God’s people shall be delivered, “every one that shall be found
written in the book.” And the revelator says that those only shall
enter the City of God whose names “are written in the Lamb’s book
of life.”
Luke 10:20
;
Philippians 4:3
;
Daniel 12:1
;
Revelation 21:27
.
In “a book of remembrance” are recorded the good deeds of
“them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.” Ev-
ery temptation resisted, every evil overcome, every word of pity
expressed, every act of sacrifice, every sorrow endured for Christ’s
sake is recorded. “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears
into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”
Malachi 3:16
;
Psalm 56:8
.
Secret Motives
There is a record also of the sins of men. “God shall bring every
work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good,
or whether it be evil.” “Every idle word that men shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” “By thy words
thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
Secret motives appear in the register, for God “will bring to light the
hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the
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hearts.”
Ecclesiastes 12:14
;
Matthew 12:36, 37
;
1 Corinthians 4:5
.
Opposite each name in the books of heaven is entered every wrong
word, every selfish act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin.
Heaven-sent warnings or reproofs neglected, wasted moments, the
influence exerted for good or for evil with its far-reaching results,
all are chronicled by the recording angel.
The Standard of Judgment
The law of God is the standard in the judgment. “Fear God, and
keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God
shall bring every work into judgment.” “So speak ye, and so do, as