Whose Name is Written in the Book

There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. (Daniel 12:1–4, NIV 1984).

My Musings – “Some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” This should be a bit of a surprise since all are deserving of “shame and everlasting contempt,” and no one is deserving of “everlasting life.” Nevertheless, some receive mercy, some receive justice. While this is somewhat of a mystery that we cannot fully comprehend, we do know that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21, NIV 1984). These are the ones “whose name is found written in the book.”

My Advice – “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. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:12, 15, NIV 1984). This is “the time of the end” and the “book” that Daniel was told about.

Some will say that God is being unfair by throwing some “into the lake of fire” while welcoming others into “everlasting life.” But was it fair that Jesus had to come to die in order to save some? Had to come, not because there was an obligation, but because “God so loved the world.” Besides, “who are [we], O man, to talk back to God?” (Romans 9:20, NIV 1984). To accuse a just God of being unjust? To accuse a righteous God of doing wrong? To accuse a loving God of lacking compassion?

Bottom line? “[He] will have mercy on whom [He has] mercy, and [He] will have compassion on whom [He has] compassion.” (Romans 9:15, NIV 1984). Mercy and compassion for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.” Yes, everyone. Bust justice for those who fail to do so. We must not fail to do so.