QUESTION RECEIVED:
How does God decide who is saved?
MY REPLY:
God's word gives us a direct answer to this question...
Rev.20:12 "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the bookS."
That verse makes clear, that we are judged according to how our works, compare to the contents that are contained in the books.
What books are these?
We have proof, that one of those books, contains all the teachings of Jesus...
John 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the words that I have spoken will judge him on the last day."
The second book that reveals how one's works are judged, is the BOOK of Revelation...
Rev.1:3 "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy of this book, and obey those things which are written in it; for the time is near."
Rev.22:7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. 12 And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."
----(Judgment based on comparison between one's works, and the books)
The third book, is one being compiled by Jesus, since the founding of the world (Rev.13:8 NET ; John 1:2)
(Rom.1:20; Eph.1:4).
Contained within that book, are the names of those who fear, serve, and concern themselves with God....
Mal.3:16 "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the Lord
And who meditate on His name.
17 “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
18 Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him."
----(A Judgment, based upon deeds)
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That book of remembrance is the same one, as the Lamb's book of life. That book contains the names of those who through integrity and courage, have earned God's favor and spiritual protection (Rev.3:5; Phil.4:3; Isa.4:3; Rev.20:12).
That book belongs to the Lamb (Rev.13:8 NET ; Rev.21:27), because these are those to whom his blood will apply...
(John 1:29; 1Pet. 1:19; Rev.12:11; 7:14; 1Cor. 5:7)
Also included in that scroll, are those permitted to "enter" that spiritual City, New Jerusalem. This can be compared into entering into a covenant or contract. "Entering" represents a harmony and unity, such as when Jesus is the vine, the faithful elect are the branches, and those feeding from those branches, as being the resulting harvest of fruit (John 15:5; 13:20; Mark 12:2)
To enter, means to unite with. Through that unity; symbolic living water and healing leaves and fruit, will be accessible (Rev.21:24,27; 22:1-2,17; Prov.6:20; Gal.4:26; Rev.21:2; Isa.66:10-12; 60:1-2,4-5,11,14,19; Rev.22:5). Only those blessed by holy spirit to have spiritual eyes and ears (Matt.13:9-11,16), will be granted access to perceive and hear, what is offered by those heavenly ambassadors (2Cor. 5:20; Rev.3:12; 22:17).
In summary, we've learned that our standing with God,
rests upon how our values, choices, and actions,
compare to a depository of divine standards.
Those standards were revealed to and recorded for us, in the storehouse of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The prophetic book of Revelation also will unveil to us, those figures in the time of the End who have served God, and those who have not (Mal.3:18).
Our Lord Jesus who can read hearts (John 2:24-25; 16:30; Matt.9:4), has recorded the righteous, in his memory. The day approaches when they will be rewarded for the love and mercy that they have shown
(Rev.22:12; John 15:12; 13:35; Matt.5:7; 25:31-33,34-36,40,41-43,44-46; 10:41-42,32; Rev.3:5).
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