The Destiny of the Bride of Christ - Part 19
Very soon, you will face the most important moment in your life. The moment that decides your future for all eternity will be here before you know it.
Soon you will stand before the Supreme Judge of the Universe. You will come face to face with God Almighty, and you will face the consequences for the choices that you made in this life.
There will be no escape. There will be no place to hide.
And there will be no second chances at that point.
This scene is described in the Revelation 20:
“I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books.
“And the sea delivered up the dead who were in it, death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) surrendered the dead in them, and all were tried and their cases determined by what they had done [according to their motives, aims, and works].”—Revelation 20:12-13 (AMPC)
You will face the God of all creation to give an account of your life and how you lived it. Everything has been recorded in the books in Heaven. When your time comes to face the Judge, these books will be opened. Your life will be reviewed.
Daniel saw this thousands of years ago.
“I kept looking until thrones were placed [for the assessors with the Judge], and the Ancient of Days [God, the eternal Father] took His seat, Whose garment was white as snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame; its wheels were burning fire.
“A stream of fire came forth from before Him; a thousand thousands ministered to Him and ten thousand times ten thousand rose up and stood before Him; the Judge was seated [the court was in session] and the books were opened.”—Daniel 7:9-10 (AMPC)
Is Your Name in the Book of Life?
The most important book in God’s court of judgment is the Book of Life. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and put your faith in the sacrifice that He made in dying on the cross to pay the price for all of your sins, then your name is written in the Book of Life.
“… rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”—Luke 10:20 (NKJV)
This will be vitally important on your judgment day because those people whose names are not written in God’s Book of Life face an unthinkable future.
“Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”—Revelation 20:15 (NIV)
And this is not temporary. This is forever, with no chance for rescue or relief.
The Books of Works
For those whose names are not found written in the Book of Life, their judgment is set, but for those who believe in Jesus Christ, the other books will determine their rewards and whether or not they will be cast into outer darkness, as many unprofitable servants are (Matthew 25:30; Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13).
Paul describes this judgment of the believers in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15:
“for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will be clearly shown [for what it is]; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work. If any person’s work which he has built [on this foundation, that is, any outcome of his effort] remains [and survives this test], he will receive a reward. But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire.” (AMP)
When God Says “Thanks!”
Those disciples whose works survive being tested by the fire of God will receive praise and thanks from God Himself!
“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”—1 Corinthians 4:5 (KJV)
In Roland Buck’s experience, detailed in the book Angels on Assignment, God sent an angel from Heaven to help Pastor Buck understand what that day will be like when the disciples of Jesus Christ stand before the judgment seat of Almighty God.
“Every person is going to hear those words, ‘Thank you, thank you! You did a good job.’ Some people do more than others, but EVERYBODY there will have praise of God.
“‘Then shall EVERY man have praise of God.’ The apostle Paul said that the day was going to declare it. All the beautiful things God has written down for you are going to be known on that glorious day. God doesn’t do things that aren’t important, so think what it will mean to him when he takes your hand as you stand before him, looks you in the eye, and says ‘Thanks! Thanks for all those things you did for me!’ Every Christian is going to hear those words, ‘Thank you! You did a good job!’
“My human mind could not comprehend how God could ever say thank you to me. I shall never forget the awesomeness of the moment when the angel told me that on that glorious day, God would say those words, because it is beyond my ability to understand that God could love me so much that he would every say, ‘Thank you, Roland Buck!’
“I asked the angel to explain what is meant by ‘things of darkness and the counsels of the hearts,’ and this was his answer: ‘God will shine his light on the hidden corners of the hearts of those who have served him because of their love, not expecting thanks. For these things, too, they will hear God say thanks.’ This does not mean in relation to evil deeds. The angel referred to it as the beautiful, but hidden things that people have not known about your life. God is going to tell you good things that you don’t even know about yourself! He knows all of your thoughts, and even those good thoughts are worthy of praise!” (Buck)
Did You Learn to Love?
How can we make sure that our works will receive rewards from God on that great Day of Judgment?
In Bob Jones’ experience, when he died and came face to face with Jesus, there were other disciples who died at about the same time as Bob. All of these disciples had to face God’s scrutiny before they could enter Heaven.
The Lord only asked them one question, “Did you learn to love?”
That is the gold standard for all of our works here on earth. Does everything we do demonstrate genuine love? Is love our guiding motivation? Does love guide our thoughts, words, and attitudes?
Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.’ (Deuteronomy 6:5) This is the first and most important commandment. And the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ (Leviticus 19:18) Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments.”—Matthew 22:37-40 (NIRV)
The Highest Rewards
The highest rewards will be given to those who walked in humility (Matthew 18:4); those who lived to serve others (Matthew 23:11-12; Mark 10:43-45; Mark 12:35); those who developed a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 13:25-30); those who kept and taught the commands of Christ (Matthew 5:19); and those who overcame the influences of sin, the world, and the devil to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).
The Bible makes it very clear that there are different rewards, different destinies, different levels of responsibility, and different ranks of authority and honor in the Kingdom of Heaven.
“The sun is glorious in one way, the moon is glorious in another way, and the stars are glorious in their own [distinctive] way; for one star differs from and surpasses another in its beauty and brilliance.So it is with the resurrection of the dead.”—1 Corinthians 15:41-42 (AMPC)
We are told in Daniel 12:3 that, “Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever.” (AMP)
Those who will be considered worthy to be rewarded with the very highest ranks in the Kingdom of Heaven are known as the Overcomers. The extraordinary rewards that are exclusively offered to them should motivate each of us to strive single-mindedly to be included among these ranks of God’s most trusted bond-servants.
There are eight specific promises that are given exclusively to these Overcomers. The first seven promises are all accompanied by this admonition: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
May you have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. May you understand the meaning of His message, and may you give yourself fully to it.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”—Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”—Revelation 2:11 (NKJV)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”—Revelation 2:17 (NKJV)
“And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—’He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”—Revelation 2:26-29 (NKJV)
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”—Revelation 3:5-6 (NKJV)
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”—Revelation 3:12-13 (NKJV)
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”—Revelation 3:21-22 (NKJV)
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”—Revelation 21:7 (NKJV)
References:
Buck, R. (n.d.). When God Says Thanks! (Ch. 10, pages 131-144). Angels on Assignment. https://www.angelsonassignment.org/thanks.html
YouTube. (2010, March 20). Bob Jones - prophesy, near death experience, heavenly encounter. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOmWbN8T81U
