Today’s reading: Revelation 19 and 20
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
Revelation 20:15 may be the scariest verse in the Bible. It describes the final judgment- the last chance for people to be in or out. Either your name is written in the book of life and you will spend eternity with God or it is not and you are condemned to spend eternity in hell away from God. Eternal torment. This reality should strike fear, a truly distressing emotion, into the heart of anyone who doesn’t have confidence they are in.
If your question today is, “how do I have confidence I am in”, let’s review:
God’s invitation is open to all – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
We all need it – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23a).
We can’t earn it – …but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b); For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus is the only way – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Jesus paid the price for us – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
We must affirm faith in Jesus to be saved – If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Do you still need to put your faith in Jesus Christ? If you haven’t already, would say this prayer with me today?
God, I confess I am a sinner and deserve the consequences of my sin. But, I believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection made a way for my forgiveness. Today, I am turning from my sin and putting my trust in Jesus and Jesus alone. Thank you Lord for forgiving me. Thank you for saving me. Amen.