Is Your Name Written In Heaven? Actually, everyone’s name is written in heaven, in one book or another. How Can One Be Sure Their Name Is In The Right Book?

Luke 10:17-20 And the seventy returned with joy, saying “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name”. And He said to them, ‘I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven”.

Introduction Jesus acknowledges their joy, for there is nothing wrong with being happy about such accomplishments. What they have done is a foretaste of the final defeat of Satan. But, He then cools their enthusiasm. They had missed an important point.

Introduction Their eternal salvation was not dependent on their ability to work miracles. He had given them this power, but their eternal salvation was dependent on them trusting in Him to be their Savior. He wants them to understand there is something better than being able to perform miracles.

Introduction Miracles will not produce salvation or holiness, but the message confirmed by the miracles will do so Romans 1: Nobody was ever saved by a miracle. His point to them and us, is that it is better to possess the eternal salvation of God gained through obedience to the word than the temporary miraculous works that would earn mankind’s short- lived gratitude.

Introduction The age of miracles would soon cease 1 Corinthians13:8-13, but the salvation offered through the confirmed message would last throughout the ages, offering man a hope in heaven. So it is today. No matter what a person may accomplish in this life, no matter how many outward works of piety one may show and rituals one may perform, if one does not have an active faith, a confident trust that obeys Jesus from the heart, showing a willingness to obey Him Matthew7:21-23; Hebrews 5:9 he will not have his name written in heaven. So, “is your name written in heaven?”

THE RECORD IN HEAVEN Luke 10:20 teaches that there is such a record. God keeps a record in His book Psalm 56:8. It is called a book of remembrance Malachi 3:16, It is called the book of life Philippians 4:3; (Lamb’s book of life) in Revelation 20:15. It is a register or record of those who are citizens of His kingdom Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:23. Is having your name enrolled in heaven really important?

THE RECORD IN HEAVEN It doesn’t matter to me if my name appears in some material publication, but I really care about having my name written in God’s book of life. If it is recorded there, and not blotted out, it means I won’t end up in hell. Getting to heaven means I will be associated with the best company one can ever have. God and Christ will be there Revelation 21:23. OT worthies, NT apostles and saints Hebrews 12:22-23, and many of our loved ones.

What If Name Not Written There On the other hand, if a person’s name is not found written in heaven, what kind of company will they have in hell? Satan and his angels Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10; the false prophet and others like him Revelation 19:20; all the ungodly and wicked Revelation 21:8; 22:15. Is this the kind of neighbors you desire to exist with for eternity?

Heaven But, let’s think, not only of the company one will find in these places, what about the conditions and environment under which one will live. Heaven will be a place of rest Hebrews 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Joy Revelation 21:3-4, Life Matthew 25:40, 46, Continual worship Revelation 7:15; 22:2, Living in an immortal body.

Hell Hell will be a place of a lake of fire Revelation 20:15, An unquenchable fire Mark 9:43-45, Torment Revelation 14:11, Wailing and anguish Matthew 8:12; Romans 2:9. Outer darkness. Both places are eternal in duration.

How does one get one’s name written in God’s book of life? Not by goodness alone. Cornelius is an example. He was a good person, but he still had to obey Acts 10:47-48; 11:14. One will not get his name in the book of life by just being religious.

How does one get one’s name written in God’s book of life? The false prophet of Revelation 14:10; 19:20 and his followers were religious. Just being religious is not enough Matthew 15:9; Acts 17:22; Colossians 2: Some might think, just talking and thinking about it will be enough, but Jesus said otherwise Matthew 7:21-23.

Obeying the gospel gets one’s name written in the book of life. But it can later be blotted out, if one is not faithful. After one becomes a Christian one must continue to be faithful Colossians 1:23; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 2:10. If they fail to do this, God will blot their names out of His book of life. Several scriptures confirm this Exodus 32:33; Revelation 3:4-5; 2 Peter 1:10-11.

How Will It Happen? By failing to overcome the practice of sin Revelation 3:5. Worldliness will cause one to have his name blotted out 1 John 2: Being lukewarm and indifferent will cause one’s name to be removed Revelation 3:16.

Conclusion How about you? Is your name written in the book of life? Is it in danger of being blotted out? Examine yourself 2 Corinthians 13:5.