The Prize that comes with Life

Revelation 20:11-15

Acts 20:24, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” That is the heart of everyone who has their name written in the book of life, Revelation 20:11-15 gives this account: “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it.  From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.  Then another book was opened, which is the book of life.  And the dead were judged by what they had done.  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.   And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The gospel of John is clear that God is love, and that he wants everyone to believe and find life eternal. John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”  Of all the prizes you have ever gone for this prize has life, right now and that life has no end, and best of all, it is a gift, only after receiving it will you understand the value.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice