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Is Your Name Written in Heaven?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Luke 10:20

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We know that we are living in an age where far too many believe that all there is to life is the “here and now”.    And still others believe that when this life is over, they will go to heaven even though they are not trying to be faithful to God’s word. But scripture is clear that there is more to making it to heaven than a mere desire.

According to God’s word, heaven is a place for those whose names are written in a book.  This morning, let us talk about that book.

 

1. There is a record in heaven
   1. Luke 10:20 – in a text where Jesus has sent out 70 of His disciples to teach in various places. He gave them powers to PROVE that God was with them. They returned with joy having success, even over Satan’s demons.  Jesus tells them they would be given greater authority (powers).  We then read, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”  Jesus was emphasizing that there was a greater reward than those spiritual gifts – your name being recorded in heaven.  THIS is what we are talking about.
   2. The Old Testament points toward this “roll” –
      1. Exodus 32:32-33 – Moses is interceding for Israel in the wilderness after the golden calf incident. Note his care and note YHWH’s response.
      2. Psalm 69:28, a psalm of David, where he (again) appeals to God as he is in distress. He prays that YHWH will deliver him and deal justly and punitively with his (and HIS) enemies.  Among the requests he makes, Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.  Our point is to observe that David knew there was a book of the righteous.  God was “keeping track.”
      3. Malachi 3:16, Living among the corrupt in a nation that ought to have known better (Israel), we read, Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name. Again, we see that God was keeping a record of the righteous in an ungodly land.
   3. Similarly the New Testament mentions this book in a number of places.
      1. Philippians 4:3 speaks of names of Paul’s fellow workers being written in the book of life.
      2. Hebrews 12:23, But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
      3. Revelation 20:11-15 – describing the judgment scene.
         1. We read that books will be opened.
         2. Note the plurality: Likely a reference to God’s books of law through the various ages (LOM & NT, patriarchal law – see Hebrews 1:1-2, Romans 2:14, etc.).
         3. Then there is “the book of life” which is a record of those who are saved.
         4. We are judged by our works according to what was written in the books.
         5. 15, anyone whose name is written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire.
         6. NOTE: The book of Revelation makes several mentions of that book, both those within it and without – Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 21:27.
      4. Thus we can see there is a record in heaven with names written therein.
2. What does it mean if your name is written in that book?
   1. It means that God IS keeping a record of those who belong to Him. We must understand His “record keeping” is different than us.  Proverbs 15:3 – the eyes of the Lord are in every place.  He knows those who are faithful and belong to Him – 2 Timtohy 2:19, 1 Corinthians 8:3, etc.
   2. It means you are saved – it is called “the book of life” (Phil. 4:3, Revelation 21:27).
   3. Thus, you have hope of a home in heaven beyond this life. Revelation 21:27.  This is what our name being written is about.
   4. It means you have purpose in this life – you are living for something. 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6-8, etc.
3. How can you get your name in the book?
   1. You cannot earn it. Goodness alone will not result in your name being recorded.
      1. Ephesians 2:8-9 – It is “not of works”.  Acts 10:1-2 – Cornelius was a very good man, but not yet saved.  (see vs. 6, then 11:14-15.  Titus 3:4-5 notes that our salvation is “not by works of righteousness which we have done”, but according to His kindness and mercy, WHEN we obeyed the gospel.
   2. Being religious is not enough.
      1. John 4:24, as Jesus taught the Samaritan woman, He told her that we must worship in Spirit and in truth.
      2. There are many who nominally serve God, and perhaps profess belief in Jesus, who think that such is enough. They may even do good works in His name, etc. But you can do that and still be wrong.  Matthew 7:21-23.  Proverbs 14:12, There is a way that seems right to man…
      3. John 16:2, as Jesus is teaching His apostles he notes of the corrupt Jews, They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.   The fact that scripture continually addresses false teachers AND their followers lets us know this (e.g., 2 Peter 2:1-3, Ephesians 4:14, etc.).
   3. You must be born again – John 3:3, 5. To be born again means to obey the gospel – cf. Romans 6:3-4.
   4. It is received through obedience –
      1. Hebrews 5:8-9 – Jesus became the author of salvation to all who obey Him.
      2. Revelation 22:14, Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
      3. Psalm 69:28 – again we want our name written with the righteous. How do we learn what righteousness is?  Romans 1:16-17 – the gospel reveals the righteousness of God which establishes our standard.
      4. Luke 6:46 – Jesus was clear that we need to do as He says.
4. Can your name be blotted out?
   1. Having established that God is keeping a “book” (whether figurative or literal does not matter) and how we can ensure that our name is in that book, that leads to one more question – Can your name be blotted out of that book?
   2. First, consider several texts we have addressed:
      1. Exodus 32:33 – Moses said it was possible
      2. Psalm 69:28 finds David requesting that YHWH’s and his enemies be blotted out of that book.
      3. Revelation 3:5 – The Lord declared to the church at Sardis that it was possible.
   3. What does this mean? That it is possible for us to be removed from God’s book of life.
      1. 2 Peter 2:20-22 speaks of the latter end being worse than the beginning.
      2. Revelation 3:5 – tells us that if we fail to overcome, our names will be blotted out of that book. What are we to overcome? Sin or anything that hinders our service to God.  In the case of Sardis, their condemnation was more about what they were NOT doing.   Remember Hebrews 12:1-2 – we must run with endurance.
      3. Galatians 5:4 clearly declares that we CAN fall from grace.
      4. John 15:1-2 – Jesus noted that every branch in Him that does not bear fruit will be cut off.
   4. There are many things that cause our names to be blotted out of His book.
      1. Worldliness – 1 John 2:15ff – if we are living worldly lives we are “not of the Father but of the world.” Bear in mind, John is primarily writing to believers.
      2. Being lukewarm – Revelation 3:16 – With some of the strongest language to these 7 churches, they were condemned because of their complacency. They were so detestable that he said he would vomit them out of His mouth (e.g., “You make me sick”).  They were also told to repent and implied was a severed relationship if they failed to.
      3. Compromising our faith – 2 John 9-11, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, Romans 16:17-18, etc. We are to avoid those who are teaching error.  Compromise is NOT avoiding them.  The doom of false teachers makes clear how God feels about compromise.
   5. Clearly, those not in fellowship with God are not in His book now.
5. BUT even the one who has had his name blotted out can have it restored. 1 John 1:9 – if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive.   Acts 8:22, repent and pray that the thought of your heart be forgiven you.  God is longsuffering and does NOT want your name to be blotted out of His book.  That is why continually He told churches in Revelation 2 & 3 to repent.

Whether or not our name is written in Heaven has eternal consequences.  Scripture is clear that we will all stand before Him one day in judgment (Hebrews 9:27, 2 Corinthians 5:10, etc.).  When that day comes, will He find your name in that book?  IF not, you can change that today.  IF there is any way we can help, let us know.  Think about it!