Judged by Works?

Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.12 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. 13 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 he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
 
THIS is Judgment Day. Suddenly the Son of God comes in victorious glory to end sin and establish the Lord’s salvation. There is no room for the old earth and sky. The New Creation has begun.
   All – those great and small – who had died before this day and all alive on this day will stand before Jesus. He will open the books listing the deeds of all who have lived.
   Verses 12 & 13 may cause some confusion. What evidence does Jesus use to judge? Does he judge our works? It seems so because we twice read the dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books…and each person was judged according to what he had done.
   One key to understanding what we had done is the book of life. Jesus assures us in Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. Jesus assures us that all saved by faith in Jesus are forever his. The works of those listed in the book of life refer to one’s response to salvation. Jesus spoke of this in his parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 and Luke 19. Do you “sit” in your salvation, hiding your gift from public view? Do  you fail to invest your gifts for Jesus’ sake? Or do you generously serve Jesus? Are you investing your tithes and offerings for his church. Do you help expand his Kingdom with your spiritual gifts? Are you eager to put your faith into action? Heavenly reward awaits those who are judged to have steadfastly worked for the Master.
   The unrepentant whose works rejected God throughout their lives  are judged eternally to Hell. Their second death will be final into punishment.
   Are you ready? The Lord God will come. God will change all you know. Jesus will determine your eternal home. This is the Word of God. He has spoken to you. Where is your name written? What are you doing in response to your salvation?  
 
Prayer: Stir us Lord to believe in this day. Ignite our love for others, so we will be purposeful to declare the Good News. Amen.