"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:12-15
This may date me but I remember back in my school days having a teacher remind me about my "permanent record".
It went something like this, "You know, Bradley, (I hated when they call me that) this will go on your permanent record so do your best!"
While it is hard for a kid to get his mind around a permanent record it sounded ominous and it motivated me to do my best.
I don't know if that ever happened to you and I doubt if it still happens. But as I became more familiar with the Bible I came to understand that there actually IS a "permanent record" as revealed in the Revelation of John.
In his vision John is shown two books that will be opened in Heaven before the throne. Everything that every person had done during their earthly life is recorded in one book. Think of it EVERYTHING you have done in your life is in the book. How does that make you feel? Those things you did when no one was looking and you were sure no one knew are all in your permanent record. There could be some awkward moments before that throne on that day.
Twice it says in these verses that what they had done during their life is recorded in that book and each will be judged based on that permanent record.
You can't do anything about what is already recorded in your book but you can, by the grace of God through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit make sure your future record is much more pleasing to God.
So, my teachers were right! They were more right than they even knew! There is a permanent record. That permanent record is in Heaven. What you did yesterday is recorded there. What you have done thus far today is in that book. What you do the rest of the day will be in that book!
How then should you live today in light of your permanent record?
What if you mindfully stopped prior to each decision you will make today and ask yourself, "Do I want this on my permanent record?" If your answer is "no" then don't do it!
In his vision John is shown two books that will be opened in Heaven before the throne. Everything that every person had done during their earthly life is recorded in one book. Think of it EVERYTHING you have done in your life is in the book. How does that make you feel? Those things you did when no one was looking and you were sure no one knew are all in your permanent record. There could be some awkward moments before that throne on that day.
Twice it says in these verses that what they had done during their life is recorded in that book and each will be judged based on that permanent record.
You can't do anything about what is already recorded in your book but you can, by the grace of God through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit make sure your future record is much more pleasing to God.
So, my teachers were right! They were more right than they even knew! There is a permanent record. That permanent record is in Heaven. What you did yesterday is recorded there. What you have done thus far today is in that book. What you do the rest of the day will be in that book!
How then should you live today in light of your permanent record?
What if you mindfully stopped prior to each decision you will make today and ask yourself, "Do I want this on my permanent record?" If your answer is "no" then don't do it!
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