Many countries regularly conduct... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:15

Many countries regularly conduct a census, a statistical survey that determines how many people live in the land, and how they live and work. This kind of inventory of the population is necessary so that plans and decisions can be made for the benefit of the people. The majority of the population does not need to take part in a survey for this purpose because much of the data is used from administrative registers. Normally it consists therefore of a register-based population census supplemented by a random sample and combined with a building and housing census.
The Bible also mentions a kind of register that is of far greater importance than any register on earth: the “Book of Life”. All people who are reconciled to God are recorded there. What is necessary in order to be inscribed in this book? Personal faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus referred to this book when He told His disciples, “Rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

To be written in the Book of Life means to be accepted by God and to have a glorious future with Him in heaven. I have nothing more to fear – not even death! This puts an incomparable peace in my heart “which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Unfortunately, there are people who are not in the Book of Life – not because God wanted it that way but because they would not have it any other way. They will be separated from God forever. What a terrible thought!

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 4:1-16 · John 17:20-26