The Lake of Fire

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. – Revelation 20v15

I am afraid that today’s thought is not a pleasant one. Yesterday we saw the joy and comfort that comes from the knowledge that, for those of us who have put our faith in Christ, our names are written in the Book of Life. No matter what else might happen, we are okay because our eternity is sealed.

But what about the people that we see everyday? What about our friends and neighbours and loved ones and co-workers and others that we come in contact with whose names are not written in the Book of Life? What is going to happen to all those people who make our life what it is who have never accepted Christ as their own Saviour?

In the previous verses we read that after Satan’s captivity, release, and ill fated rebellion he is going to be cast into the Lake of Fire where he will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Certainly no one could question that he deserves it.

Tragically Satan is not the only one who is going to be there. Anyone whose names are not written in the Book of Life is going to join him. From the other occurrences of the ‘Book of Life’ in the Bible it is obvious that the names written there are all those who are saved, who have put their faith in him accepted His free gift of salvation.

This is hard to grasp, and I for one don’t like to think about it. What it means is that all those people we care so much about; that neighbour who we can always count on, that co-worker who we have struggled with in task after task, that mechanic who we have been friends with for years, that quirky, loveable uncle, and that precious family member who has never been saved will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire along with the Devil.

The sad thing is that we have the message that they need. Sure, they must accept it and all we can do is share and life the gospel, but how often do we neglect to do even that?

This is certainly not intended to out anyone on a guilt trip. However, as we go through today may God give us a vision and remind us of the eternal fate of all those who are not written in that precious book. May we be willing and open to share the gospel. And just as importantly, may we show them Christ in us day after day after day.