Better Be Written In the Book of Life

Text: Revelation 20:7-15

Reflection and Question: Amidst all the startling imagery here, which was the verbal equivalent of our fireworks or psychedelic light shows, comes the crystal clear conclusion, “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” And how does one’s name get into the book of life? Verse 13 says, “All were judged according to what they had done.” We have seen this repeatedly: it is our deeds that are important, our loving God and neighbor through what we do every day. What will be written of you in the book of life today?

Prayer: Holy God, the horrors that await those who do not please or obey You are terrifying to behold. Only You can save us from the lake of fire. We bow in thanks for Your promise in Jesus to do just that. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).