Wednesday we had “Flex Text” night at Maximum Impact. Flex Text is a flexible night where students get to ask whatever questions they want to. There were a lot of questions surrounding who is going to hell. Who’s in and who’s out. Here is an overview of some of the questions.
“Will mormons be in heaven?”
“Will the great saints of old (Before Jesus) be in heaven?”
“Will Jews go to heaven?”
“If someone is from an Indian tribe, and they never heard of Jesus, and they look to creation and say, “There must be many gods!” Will they go to heaven?”
“Will dogs be in heaven?”
“Will someone who commits suicide be in heaven?”
One by one we looked at these questions, as well as questions like, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” and “Why is it that we never really hear about turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, and caring for the poor with a passion?”
The Bible talks about the Lamb’s Book of Life in Revelation 13:8. This is the “book” God keeps… a book of names. I find it interesting this passage doesn’t actually mention whose names will be IN the Lamb’s book of life, but rather the focus is on those whose names are NOT IN the Lamb’s book of life, creating more mystery as to who is actually “in” so to speak. But it makes it clear, the Lamb’s book is directly tied to, “the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.”
What we can say, with confidence, is a Lamb was slain and this is His book. The book He Wrote. And it’s a book filled with names… the names of those who are “in.”
So… who’s in and who’s out? When we ask that question it sounds a whole lot like a country club, doesn’t it? An exclusive group you have to qualify to be a part of. While that terminology may be fair, I prefer to ask it another way, “How can we know our names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life?” Seems to me that is the best question we can possibly ask.
At risk of stating the obvious – The Lamb imagery is a clear reference to the Passover Lamb from Exodus. Put the blood of the Lamb on the doorway and death will pass over… leaving the firstborn male alive. The blood of the Lamb brings life. This Lamb, referenced in revelation, died so death may pass right over us. He knows the names of those who have the blood on the “doorway” of our hearts.
It is important to note that, while we don’t have access to this book, and only God knows whose name is in this book, we do have access to another book that clearly teaches us how we can assure OUR name will be in the Lamb’s book. We can be certain of our own salvation by allowing the blood of the Lamb to cover our sins. It’s not by holding your mouth a certain way, saying a certain prayer, or wishing all of those who don’t believe what you believe in to hell… I, personally, love the thought that all man everywhere will go to heaven simply if they are a “good” person. The problem is, it’s just not true.
My prayer for all of my students is that they may “know” Jesus (That word for “know” in greek, literally, means “to have personal knowledge” – or “personal relationship”). Not like, “Jesus is my home boy!” Rather, “Jesus the Lamb who willingly laid down His life for me. He is my Lord and my Savior!” And it should bring us to a point of change. When we realize the depth of the sacrifice of Jesus it should change EVERYTHING in our lives.
While we may not know exactly who’s name is in the book and who’s name isn’t in the book, I would argue the Bible teaches us, clearly, who’s in and who’s out (at least in a general perspective). What I can tell you with a certainty of spirit is those who make Jesus both Savior and Lord, who have repented and been baptized for the forgiveness of their sin, and have the seal of the Holy Spirit, can be assured their name is in the Lamb’s book of life.
The better question is, “Is my name in the Lamb’s book of Life?” If you don’t know the answer to that question it’s time to get in to the Word, and read the only book penned by God we DO have access to – The Bible.
While I have patience with the question, “Who’s in?” The better question might just be, “God, why would you let any of us ‘in’?” I guess that’s why they call it Grace!
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