Good News! Everyone Goes To Heaven!

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat
on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 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.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is
the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Here, we are looking at a passage from the book of Revelation, from the Greek
word, "apokalupsis", meaning unveiling or disclosure. This book is said to be
written in A.D. 96, by the Apostle John. While there is a lot of discussion and arguments over particular scriptures, right now I'd like to focus on the passage above, as it relates to the title of this blog.

This chapter is broken down in to several parts.

• 1. the binding of Satan (vs 1-3).
• 2. the reign of the saints with Christ (vs. 4-6).
• 3. the loosing of Satan, the conflict of the church Gog (a Hebrew symbolic name for some future antichrist) and Magog (an antichristian nation), (vs. 7-10).
• 4. the day of judgement (20:11-15)
  

As the text I shared at the top reveals, we will be looking at the fourth part, the day of judgement.

We have all heard the adage, "I got good news, and I got bad news", well lets start on a lighter note, the good news. Despite what is preached out of the pulpit about going to Heaven and Hell, the good news is, everyone, on the day of judgement, will go to Heaven. As the Apostle John reveals, in his vision given by God:

"Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;"

The word small, comes from the Greek word mikros, meaning small. This just doesn't refer to the size of ones stature, but it is a comparative in size, quantity and dignity.

The word great, comes from the Greek word megas, meaning large, loud, strong, high, and mighty.

So it seems, in this verse, the Apostle John isn't limiting the dead to a body count, but also a economic, social, age and spiritual contrast. To be honest, the population comparison are limitless. Even the best worldly attorney, the best worldly judge will be in front of Gods great court.

In all his Majesty & Righteousness, God sits on the throne ready to cast his judgement on the dead.

The Apostle John continues with his vision from God:

Rev 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.

Here, the Apostle John's vision describes a book that is opened. This is referred to as the book of life, and later on in Revelation 21:27, as the Lamb's book of life.

Now the term, "book of life", is a Jewish phrase that refers to a record of names. The term "life" here, refers to "eternal life." In Philippians 4:3, the Apostle Paul refers to Christians, when he mentions, " whose names are in the book of life. So there you have it, the book of life, relates to saved, born again Christians, who God has recorded in this book. It is by this book, God will judge Christians by their works. It is a good and Godly thing to stay busy in His works, to get rewarded in Heaven, and for God to say, "well done good and faithful servant." On another note, if God writes your name in the book of life, nobody can remove it. That there is a little nugget of eternal security for you.

Now, in verse 13, John talks about the sea giving up the dead, and death and hell delivering up the dead. The sea giving up the dead, refers to those that have drowned and have died in the water. Then you have death, referring to the grave and hell referring to the separated spirits. The sea and grave have the bodies, and hell has their spirits. These too will appear before the throne of God for judgement. Unfortunately, they will be judged by their works as well. God standard for goodness is so high an unattainable, that it calls for perfect sinless life. That my friend has been accomplished by one man, Christ Jesus.

The last to verses of chapter 20 covers everyone not found in the book of life. As we can see, everyone not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire.

So the good news.... Everyone goes to Heaven.

The bad news... Not everyone will stay.

Is your name in the book of life?

Will you stay or go?

I know my eternal security is sealed by the blood of Christ. It is because of Gods grace, that I will not be judged by the law, because I am not under the law. It is by faith I am saved. It is Christ Jesus who paid the fine for me in the eternal court room of our mighty God. Praise Jesus!

-Jon