Charles W. Holt
Community of Grace Church
Vinton, LA
Email: cholt@gt.rr.com
ARE YOU ON GOD’S LIST?
Scripture Text: Revelation 20:12-15. Supplemented with Luke 10:17-20; Daniel 12:1; Exodus 32:31-33a; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8.
INTRODUCTION:
You may not be aware that God has a list. It is the most important list that can be found in heaven or on earth. I cannot emphasize how important this list is and how extremely important it is for us to know with certainty if our name is on that list. My purpose in today’s message is to provide you with the latest information about God’s list, what it is, and how one gets their name on that list.
We will all agree that it is important for our names to be on certain lists. There are good lists and there are bad lists. Everyone wants his or her name on a good list. I hope that this will be the case when I tell you about the best list of all – God’s list.
How many of you have heard of the “Do not call” list?
How many of you asked that your name be placed on the “Do not call” list?
As you know, this list was created because telemarketers who for the most part would call at a most inappropriate time to try to sell some product or service were overwhelming people throughout America. Some were unrelenting. Some were rude. Most were overbearing. To most of us these telemarketing calls were an intrusion, a pesky nuisance. We welcomed the chance to get our name on a list that would penalize them if they called. I am told that since the list has been created the number of such calls has been drastically reduced.
A telemarketer’s list is a bad list to be on.
A “Do not call” list is a good list to be on.
When someone has a grudge against one who has offended or hurt him or her in some fashion we may hear the offended party say about the offender, “He (or she) is on my list.” In other words they are going to remember what was done and maybe even seek to retaliate. In an even more serious sense mobsters or members of the Mafia may put people of their “hit list.” A Mafia “hit list” was a death sentence.
I was once on the Dean’s list in college. That was good because it meant that I made good grades.
One of the lists we don’t like is the waiting list. Only because we want instant gratification and we don’t want to have to wait to get what we want. Some know what it is to be on an organ transplant waiting list to get a kidney or perhaps for a heart transplant.
Whether actively or passively in some way, some form, fashion, and for some good or bad reason we all have our names on a list somewhere. Your name is written down on some record either in a book or perhaps a computer. Your name is recorded at the Court House, in a Social Security file in Washington, DC or the local driver’s license bureau. Your name may even appear on a church record when you were baptized or otherwise joined a church. You became a member when your name was written down.
It’s interesting that the Bible has much to say about another official record where we may (or may not) find our name written down. I am talking about a record in Heaven. There is a book of names in Heaven. I am talking about a list of names that God Himself writes down as He oversees each entry in His book. This is the reason for my question, “Is Your Name On God’s List.” Meaning, is your name written down in God’s book?
Let me provide some Scripture background that will validate and authenticate the question I have asked. There are more than just a few passages of Scripture that relate to my question.
The first I have chosen is not the best but it is interesting because of the events that make up the story where this verse is found. Jesus had sent out 70 of His disciples on a mission of preaching and teaching that included the ability to work miracles. When they returned from their very successful ministry tour they were overjoyed. Luke tells us:
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17-20 KJV).
For the sake of an illustration, let’s suppose that a great calamity was scheduled to strike just south of us and would impact all states that border on the Gulf of Mexico. Just suppose it was a giant asteroid which upon impact would create a wall of water over 100 feet tall and travel inland at over sixty miles an hour. If that sounds like a movie you have seen it is because that’s exactly the scenario as depicted in the movie.
And, as it was in the movie, let’s suppose there was only one safe place to flee and because this place could accommodate only a limited number of people it meant only a certain number of people could board the buses to flee to safety.
In order to determine who would go and who would stay a list is made and only those whose name was on the list is allowed to find shelter and safety. If you knew such a danger existed and you knew the only way to live – the only way to get on the bus and save your life -- was to get your name on the list, how many of you would try your best to get your name on the list?
My story is an imaginary one. However, let me take you to the Scripture and ask you to seriously consider what the Prophet Daniel says about a day of calamity that is to come upon this earth. This is not imaginary. I am not making this up.
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (Daniel 12:1 KJV).
This verse predicts a day and time—perhaps a season lasting for an extended period—when the nations of this world will enter into a period of distress of such magnitude, such intensity and suffering, that has never happened before in the history of the world. This verse seems to describe a division between those who will suffer and those who will not suffer. It says some will be delivered from the suffering and others will not be delivered. The prophecy makes a clear distinction between those who will and those who will not be delivered. “Everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (vs. 1).
This verse says there is a book.
This verse says names are written in this book.
This verse says those whose names are written in this book will be delivered.
Is your name in the book? Is Your Name on God’s List?
This is the most important question. Thousands and thousands of people today want to know when this time of trouble will come. They want to know what will be happening when it comes. They want to know what they can do to protect themselves when it comes.
What is going to happen, how is it going to happen, or when is it going to happen, these are not the question one should be asking. The most important question that needs to be asked and answered is: Is your name on God’s list. Is your name found written the book?
The Bible has much to say about God having a Book—and names being inscribed in it--that hasn’t been mentioned yet. Consider the following:
1. Moses
As you know, Moses was God’s instrument in leading the Hebrews out of Egyptian slavery toward freedom in a land God had promised. On several occasions the people sinned against the Lord with murmuring and complaining through their unbelief. On one occasion it was more serious than it had ever been. Because of the sin of the nation, God was about to literally wipe them off the face of the earth. Moses sensed a catastrophe was in the making. The Bible says:
“The next day Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.’ So Moses went back to the LORD and said, ‘Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’ The LORD replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book…’” (Exodus 32:31-33a KJV).
2. The Apostle Paul was familiar with this book.
“Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Phil. 4:3).
3. John the Revelator spoke often of this book. Consider:
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” (Rev. 3:5 KJV).
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8 KJV). This verse has some of the flavor of Daniel 12:1 in it.
“The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is” (Rev. 17:8 KJV). This verse also has some of the flavor of Daniel 12:1 in it.
“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.
“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.
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:12-15 KJV).
This verse is clear:
1. Books were opened. This is a record of our deeds.
2. Another book was opened. It is the Book of Life.
3. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (vs. 15).
There are several other passages of Scripture that mention names being written in God’s book. All these verses—Old and New Testament—make ever so real the truth Jesus set forth in our text found in Luke 10:20. “….rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
1. There is a book in heaven called “The Book of Life.”
2. It is possible for our names to be written in it.
3. It is imperative—absolutely of the greatest importance—that we know our names are written there.
4. The question we face, the question, which must be given the most serious consideration, is: IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE? ARE YOU ON GOD’S LIST?
WHAT CONDITIONS MUST I MEET TO HAVE MY NAME PLACED ON GOD’S LIST?
I have no power to write my name there. Another hand must write it. I sign checks. I sign order blanks. I sign letters. I write my name often and for many reasons, as you do. But no king, dictator, general, merchant, scholar, or scientist can write his name in heaven. Think about that! You and I may get our name written into a church book but getting it in the Lamb’s Book of Life is another matter.
One may study until they have acquired every major degree offered for study. But you will never be good enough to write your name there. And the Son of God says it is better to have your name written there than to have it on the largest bank check ever drawn. Someone is going to have to write it there for you.
Another question arises: WHO CAN DO IT FOR ME?
Can my pastor?
Can the evangelist?
What about my attorney?
Can my personal physician take care of it for me?
Can my congressman, or senator do it?
All these may legitimately act in your behalf in urgent matters that affect your life down here but THEIR POWER IS LIMITED TO THIS EARTH!
Only one person has the right—has the authority and power--to place your name, or my name, in the Book of Life. It is the privilege of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. If your name is ever written in heaven, it will be written on God’s terms alone.
HOW CAN WE KNOW?
The key to answering this important question is found in a passage we read earlier from Revelation 13:8 – “All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose name have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”
1. The Book belongs to the Lamb – Jesus
2. He is the Lamb that was slain.
3. We are pointed unerringly to the Cross of Jesus Christ.
4. The Gospel song: The Way of the Cross Leads Home
The Cross is God’s Great PEN that inscribes your name in the Book of life
1. The cross is a sign of God’s love
2. The cross is a sign of God’s mercy
3. The cross is a sign of God’s grace
4. The cross is a sign of God’s forgiveness
5. The cross is God’s great quill dipped in the precious blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It is the only instrument worthy enough--powerful enough—to inscribe your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Only the hand of God can do that!
(a) There is not a work that I can do that will provide merit enough
(b) There is not a tithe, a sacrament, a service, a pilgrimage sufficient.
(c) There is not a prayer long enough.
(d) There is not a charity sweet enough.
(e) We cannot bypass Calvary.
HOW CAN A PERSON BE SURE?
1. This is something we cannot afford to merely guess about. We cannot afford to take a chance. If it were not possible to be sure that your name is there, Jesus would not have told us to rejoice. Remember, “…rejoice that your names are written in heaven…” (Lk. 10:20. You and I cannot rejoice about something we are not certain about.
2. Don’t tell me, “I hope so,” or “I do the best I can.” When I ask you, “Is your name written there, are you on God’s list?” I want either a “yes,” or a “no.”
3. It is as simple as A-B-C.
a. ALL have sinned
b. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
c. Confess with your mouth
Here is an important summary verse: “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rm. 10:8-13 KJV).
CONCLUSION
What does it mean to have your name inscribed on God’s list, written in the Lamb’s Book of life? Right now it will mean a peace that passes all understanding. It will be a peace that is based upon the reality that if you should die today you have a reservation that is made and inscribed in your name in heaven. Scripture says, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son hath not life” (1 Jn. 5:12 KJV).
