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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Proclaimed From the Housetops, #9
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (Revelation 20:12—NIV)
Unless we have been living as a victorious Christian, really following Christ each day, we need to give careful thought to the general resurrection, for this is where we shall appear.
Some of the verses we have quoted previously apply to the general resurrection:
The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. (Luke 11:32—NIV)
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2—NIV)
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. (I Corinthians 4:5—NIV)
None of the three preceding verses applies to the first resurrection, the resurrection of the royal priesthood. No books are opened at the time of the first resurrection. The participants already have been judged worthy to walk with Christ in the white robes of the priesthood. In no case will any of these be a foolish virgin, or someone who wasted his or her talent.
Those who are judged worthy to participate in the first resurrection will always be with the Lord.
But most people on the earth, including perhaps the majority of the believers in Christ, need to realize their death will bring them to a time of waiting. Their rewards or punishments will not be given to them until the Lord returns.
The vision of the pre-tribulation "rapture" of all believers is not a vision from God. It is a deception and has lulled to sleep the majority of Christian believers. We think God in His mercy is about to send enough trouble on the United States that many believers will awaken, call on the name of the Lord, and change their careless attitude toward Christ to one of utmost diligence. By so doing they will save themselves and those who hear them.
Anyone who is teaching that the believers in Christ will never experience judgment is not hearing from the Lord. The truth is, judgment begins with those who are closest to the Lord. Every one of us shall give an account of himself to Jesus Christ.
At some point after we pass from this life, the hidden things will be revealed. That which was spoken in the ear will be shouted from the housetops.
God may see fit to spare us from His judgment and the judgment of people if we turn from our devious ways and serve God in sincerity and truth. How much we are spared depends entirely on the judgment of Christ.
To be continued.